Boardmasters or Reading festivals for post GCSE next summer?

[Kentmumof4]

My Yr11 daughter and friends want to go to either Boardmasters or Reading next summer (2026).

I need advice please from those whose daughters went to either or both this year.

Which is safer in your opinion? What problems did they encounter? Any tips?

Thanks.

I am also interested in this as I remember reading being a bit intimidating as a teen. So far people I have asked seem to slightly prefer board masters but that also seems quite full on. Appreciate they want to party, just worried about safety.

Mine DD went to board masters after GCSE’s
said there was a lot of drink / drugs but the welfare and security was very good
she enjoyed it
no problems

As a local boardmasters is well known for drugs and sexual attacks, it’s a festival I would absolutely be avoiding and a 16 year old girl going would worry me!

Suggest Latitude. Much safer for those under 18, less worldly wise and not used to festivals

Latitude is an interesting idea but suspect they want to be around other teens and especially teenage boys. That is more of a family festival isn’t it? Am hoping Take Off do something big in the summer

I am a very liberal parents but it's been a flat no for those. Way too many issues and for the sake of one or two days I don't want to risk it. Many of her friends are going though.

DD did boardmasters after GCSE and Reading after A levels.

I know not what you asked, but depending where you live/how far you’re prepared to travel - Kendal Calling is a good intro/post GCSE festival.

I was just coming on to ask the very same questions out boardmaster. I have a year 11 daughter who tells me 12 of her friends are going. I’m really worried and wondered if we can buy her day tickets and stay locally. I’m not sure the idea will go down to well with her though. Anyone else done this?

Socross - I have a y11 daughter who also says 12 of her friends are going - I’m inclined to say no but worried about how left out and disappointed she’ll be. I don’t think it is safe though.

I was really worried, and had initially said no, but it was all fine - mainly due to an incredible line up.

Most kids we know have done Reading for GCSEs, Boardmasters for older.

Reading sometimes clashes with GCSE results - so if sixth form registration /results are an issue at all, be prepared!

@Sandyoldsocks . Our daughter also said 12 of her friends are going. We had a very tearful conversation where I said we don’t think she should go. Apparently she is also the only one not going. I feel really sad that she is so upset by it but really can’t help worrying about hey safety. 16 feels to young. Especially as she lives in quite a rural area so probably not the most street wise.

I think she may agree to All Points East in London - Victoria Park. Feels easier to supervise and I can book a family hotel room for her friends and me too.

I am so glad to have found this thread! We (dh and I) have just told our daughter it’s a no to Boardmasters after GCSEs next summer. We’ve ruined her life apparently (in the way parents ruin every teenager’s life 😂) . I feel mean but I’ve said it’s safety. I may see if we can get her a day ticket and go down. So many people have said to me that it’s unsafe and not a good option.

Broadcasters and Reading do have drugs , spiked drinks, alcohol issue. Is the group going been to festivals before? What age is everyone in the group and costs of not just tickets, but camping options, food, drinks etc? Otherwise, check for other festivals or music concerts. Day tickets holder is another option. Some families book a holiday overseas for a group.

We’ve now decided no. May consider a day ticket but not sure how that works with taking and fetching.

Reading is safer according to DS. Easier to get in and out, not as overcrowded

Day ticket, have an early start to get through security and gate and leave at time after the final act or train schedule. Reading would be easier due to train timetable or pick up. Day ticket holders has wrist band that mean no entry to camp sites etc. Bring power bank to recharge phones otherwise you pay for this also check the Wi-Fi connections.
Or go to a concert as a celebration which is easier and not as long.

DD 17 went to Reading this year and had an amazing time. I wouldn’t let her go after GCSEs mainly because DS went in 2022 (I think the first after COVID) and came back with some worrying stories. DD had strict rules, not to get stupidly drunk and never to be alone. She went, had a brilliant time and I am so glad I let her go. DS went for a day and both came back with stories of much better security, including segregation of camps and individual camp security. DS also went in 2023 and saw year on year improvements.

We are quite local to Reading which gave me comfort in case of emergency. Before DD went I made her watch a Tiktok made by a mother who was at Boardmasters and had helped a girl who had been spiked. It was hard hitting but made DD understand my rules and concerns.

Cannot believe there are parents saying a flat no the post gcse festivals! It’s a rite of passage here! My girls would have been absolutely gutted and furious if we had said no when all their friends and pretty much everyone they know went post GCSE.

Yes there are drugs but there are everywhere just ensure your teens aren’t into that scene. Dd1 went to boardmasters a few years ago and yes it was feral but she had a blast. Dd2 went last year and they had really upped their game - lots of security and welfare girls going round checking teens were ok. One gave dds friend a dressing gown as she was cold!

You need to make sure they pitch in a quieter camp site further from the action. Preferably the secure camping area.

If all their friends are going not letting her due to your own anxieties is very harsh. You only get to be 16 post GCSEs once in your life. How’s she going to feel when they all head off? Also they talk about it and plan it for months it’s a massive deal in their world.

But what if they aren’t sensible and are the sort to get pissed?

My middle one did the “usual” order of Reading first and Boardmasters the year after. They all went to collect GCSE results with their Reading stuff then travelled together. I’d expected Reading to be worse but think Boardmasters was the bad one though we live reasonably near Reading and nowhere near Cornwall which might be a bit of a factor. I’d now be very reluctant to let my younger one go to Boardmasters.

In either case, they really need to be with a group of friends who will all look out for each other.

My DD and friend went to Boardmasters the summer of GCSEs and had a ball. We travelled down with them and stayed in a b and b about half an hour away so we were close ish if needed.

I’ve bought my daughter a ticket to Reading. She turns 16 on day 1 so it will be an amazing weekend. I regularly attend music festivals and am fortunate to attend Glastonbury annually so I feel reasonably confident to give her good tips