Hay Festival - any tips?

[MaximumVolume]

I really want to go to Hay Festival, have done for years, but always get to the point where I’m listening to it on the radio and think “oh damn!”

So this year I’m slightly more organised and have actually started looking into it.

We’ve done other stuff with a camping/ festival vibe including sporting events so I think I’ve got that side of it covered, with the exception of anything specific to Hay itself.

I think we’d mostly be interested in the kids’ stuff (not completely true, but I think it will be easier to keep them entertained if we focus on stuff for them ). Mainly we want to be able to relax in a friendly environment and be entertained as a family. Are my expectations too high?!

The kids are 3 & 5. I’m slightly overwhelmed by the programme, to be honest. I notice that some things are booked-up, but will this be the case with most events? My experience of the Ed Fringe has always been to turn up and decide on-spec. Seems like this won’t work for Hay?

Also, am I correct in thinking you just pay for individual things and not a general entry to the site?

[staveleymum]

Hi there

We are going for the first time with kids although mine a lot older than yours (10 and 8). We used to go before but it's been 10 years since we were last there.

In my (albeit out dated) opinion, there are things to do there that do not require ticket entry but they are limited and I'm not sure how much will engage the ages of your children.

What we have done is to look at all kids events and then chosen 2 days that has a good variety of events we think will engage our two. So we are going Sat and Wed and have about 3 or 4 events on each day. Between them we will go round the 'free' workshops and visit Hay itself and have some lovely food. Obviously it'll be a bit weather dependent re the wandering!

The popular events book quickly - we were luck to get the last David Walliams ticket - but tickets for the really little kids events may still be available.

If you do book I'd keep it light for events (1 or 2 max in a day) and see how you go on.

I hope you do go though - we love it and are hoping our kids will love it too!

[MaryWortleyMontagu]

We go every year as MIL lives nearby. Kids stuff books up very very early (some events are already sold out) so don't leave these to book when you get there. Also unless the event specifically says otherwise you need to buy a ticket for the child and for the accompanying adult (Same price. Children under 12 have to be accompanied). There's also the "make and take" tent which has (free) drop in activities throughout the day. This year they also have the wild garden.

[MaryWortleyMontagu]

To answer one of your questions: entry to the site is free but you buy tickets for individual events. Also check the accomodation situation as many of them (including campsites) will be sold out by now. If you do end up having to stay out of hay and drive in there is charity car parking provided in the neighbouring fields to the festival site for £3 a day

[MaximumVolume]

Thanks, I’ll get browsing the programme tonight!