Think festivals are for grown-ups? Then think again.
Once the preserve of the young and child-free, festivals catering for the whole family are popping up all over the UK. But how do you know which ones are the best for you and your family?
Iβve never been to a festival before β family friendly or otherwise β so this summer weβre dipping our toe in the festival scene for the first time with a visit to Londonβs inaugural Monstrous Childrenβs Festival.
Given that weβre uninitiated on the festival going front weβre erring on the side of caution by opting for a one-day event, and if all goes well we might then try an overnighter. I asked some real mums to recommend some of the UKβs best family friendly festivals and hereβs what they said.
The REAL mumβs guide to the UKβs best family friendly festivals
Cornbury Music Festival, Oxfordshire
13th β 15th July 2018 | Tickets from Β£75 for adults & Β£15 for children
The organisers of Cornbury Music Festival promise a βcivilised, charming and irresistible homespun melting pot where music-lovers share pies and a glass of champagne with superstars, toffs, rockers, crooners, Morris dancers, farmers, urbanites, fashionistas, gourmet chefs and little old ladies who make exceptional cakesβ at this open-air party in the Oxfordshire countryside. The Hairy Bikers are this yearβs star attraction with a pop-up woodfired restaurant adventure. Accommodation includes camping, glamping and posh loos.
Real mumβs verdict:
βI love Cornbury as itβs such a lovely site, thereβs loads for kids to do and itβs really beautiful countryside,β says Louise who blogs at Pink Pear Bear.
Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham
1st β 3rd June 2018 | Tickets from Β£47 for adults & Β£14 for children
With more than 100 acts performing across four stages, plus music, dance and arts workshops, a circus school and a programme of talks, debates and comedy thereβs something for all ages at Wychwood Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. This year TVβs Dick & Dom are performing an interactive live show and accommodation includes camping, tipis and yurts.
Real mumβs verdict:
βIt really is a fabulous family festival, and itβs small enough to feel intimate,β says Megan who blogs at Truly Madly Kids. βThe children are very safe there with the staff being very attentive.β
Latitude Festival, Suffolk
12th β 15th July 2018 | Tickets from Β£77.50 for adults & Β£10 for children
Winner of UK Festivalsβ Best Major Festival award in 2017 Latitude is a music and performing arts festival which takes place over four days. The 2018 line-up includes Belle & Sebastian, Harry Hill and James and family friendly features include chariots with covers so thereβs no need to take the kids back to your tent for bed. Accommodation includes camping, tipis, bell tents and lodges.
Real mumβs verdict:
βThey have a family friendly camping bit and a whole kids area with nappy changing and baby bath facilities,β says Sarah who blogs at Mole and Hedgehog.
Stendhal Festival, Northern Ireland
10th & 11th August 2018 | Family tickets from Β£115
Dubbed Irelandβs best small festival in Limavady, Northern Ireland, Embrace are the headline act at this yearβs Stendhal Festival which continually receives rave reviews. Originally formed to showcase local music the event has grown to combine music, art, dance, sculpture and poetry to name but a few. Accommodation includes camping, pre-pitched tents and local accommodation.
Real mumβs verdict:
βI was really impressed to see how well babies and toddlers were catered for and it didnβt stop there. There were activities for kids right up to age 17 so you really can relax and know the kids are alright,β says Hannah who blogs at Hi Baby Blog.
Blissfields, Hampshire
5th β 8th July 2018 | Tickets from Β£115 for adults & Β£15 for children
Marketed as βan intimate festival for all the family in the heart of the Hampshire countrysideβ Blissfields boasts five music and entertainment stages, a real beach, an aerial circus, campfire, a tree lined projection area and food and craft stalls. Accommodation includes boutique camping and real loos.
Real mumβs verdict:
βBlissfields has been likened to a mini Glastonbury in Hampshire and itβs a great place to spot upcoming music stars and hang out with friendly festival goers,β says Dawn who blogs at Dear Mummy Blog.
Elderflower Fields, Sussex
25th β 28th May 2018 | Tickets from Β£130 for adults and Β£72.50 for children
With 40 acts on three stages Elderflower Fields prides itself on being a smaller event built around families and kids. Attractions include Dragonfly Hill, Tumbledown Meadows, a woodland spa and a big family dance off. Accommodation includes orchard and paddock camping and glamping in bell and lotus tents and tipis.
Real mumβs verdict:
βWe love Elderflower Fields in Sussex – there is so much to see and do and it’s set by a beautiful woodland,β says Sarah who blogs at Kippers and Curtains.
Camp Bestival, Dorset
26th β 29th July 2018 | Tickets from Β£197.50 for adults & Β£15 for children
Mr Tumble and Dick & Dom are among the headliners for little people at this yearβs Camp Bestival in the grounds of Lulworth Castle in Dorset, while for grown-ups thereβs Rick Astley, Simple Minds and Basement Jaxx. Voted the best family friendly festival at the Family Travel Awards this is the festival everyone raves about. Accommodation includes Bedouin and bell tents, tipis and gypsy caravans.
Real mumβs verdict:
βItβs not just the entertainment and food that makes it so great but also the army of people involved and the other festival goers,β says Dawn who blogs at Dear Mummy Blog. βEven in the mud of 2017 we managed to have a good time dressing up as Guns & Roses!β
Monstrous Childrenβs Festival, London
Sunday July 29 | Tickets from Β£28.50pp
Brand new to the festival scene for 2018 is Monstrous Childrenβs Festival featuring seven fantasy worlds at South Londonβs Printworks. The festival boasts a soccer school zone hosted by the Chelsea FC Foundation team, Prince, Princess & Unicorn Land with walkabout characters, the worldβs largest inflatable obstacle course, an arcade alley with more than 1,000 console games and a baby sensory garden for the under fours.
Real mumβs verdict:
Watch this space! Weβll be visiting the Monstrous Childrenβs Festival on Sunday July 29 β pop back in August when youβll find our full review!
Have you been to a family friendly festival before? Where do you recommend? Iβd love to hear about your experience!
I really fancy taking my tribe to a festival now everyone is older. These are some fab suggestions #familyfunlinky
We love a good festival! Thatβs a great list of fantastic family festivals. Weβre excited to be heading to some new ones this year too. Definitely recommend experiencing at least one with the kids! Thanks for featuring us x #FamilyFunLinky x
We’ve got two festivals planned for the summer, for both we’re staying in our campervan. First time I’ll have stayed at a festival before so looking forward to it. I’m sure my daughter will love them! #familyfun
We love camping and haven’t considered festivals before. There are some real nice ones up in the North that I know of some friend have been too so this post inspires me to look them up! βͺThank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinkyβ¬