Festivals for Families
With summer comes the inevitable festival season from Glastonbury to T in the Park but if you fancy something a little different this year, and you have children to consider, check out these festivals, guaranteed to have you and your kids entertained and bopping in the fields all day long.
Camp Bestival – A posh version of the Isle Of Wight’s Festival and great for first timers. Set in an old 17th century former hunting lodge at Lulworth, Dorset, this offers a real ale festival within and pop up restaurants. There are ballet workshops orchestrated from the National ballet Company, arts and crafts tents, face painting for the little ones and even a Britains Got Talent type show to enjoy.
Camp Bestival features a Big Top in which comedy and musical acts appear, a Magic Meadow and a Kids Garden over looking the sea for children to play in. A Heavenly Pamper Lounge full of amazing spa treatments and a Bollywood Tent amongst many other attractions. Acts include Primal Scream, Eliza Doolittle, Miss Dynamite, Blondie, Mark Ronson, and for the kids – Mr Tumble and the Zing Zillas so this really is a great festival to take the whole family. An adult weekend ticket costs £170 and unfortunately all upgraded camping tickets have now been sold out. Camp Bestival runs from July 28th to 31st. Go to campbestival.net for information.
The Big Chill is exactly what it says, a a chill out vibe in gorgeous surroundings at Eastnor Castle, Deer Park in
Herefordshire. This year sees the first Little Chill, a festival within a festival designed especially for your little ones. This is situated inside a huge tent and kids are entertained with circus acts, a funfair and midnight movies.
The Big Chill is renowned for its many food stalls offering traditional and ethnic cuisine, fair-trade delights such as hot chocolate bars and arts and crafts stalls, literally littering the site. There is a special green camp site which is designated especially for families with children under the age of 15. Acts include Kanye West, Robert Plant, Jessie J, Chemical Brothers, Steel Pulse, Empire of the Sun and Neneh Cherry. Tickets cost £165 per person which includes camping and £85 for children aged between 13 and 15, under 12′s go for £5. Date for your diary is 4th August to the 7th. Check out bigchill.net for booking information.
Latitude – has been described as a mini Glastonbury and for good reason as it is probably one of the largest of the small festivals. Located at Henham Park in Suffolk, think boho chic with a trendy vibe as acts include Poalo Nutini, KT Tunstall, Paloma Faith, Suede and They Might Be Giants. Comedy acts include a Q& A session with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, a comedic act from Richard Herring and Robin Ince talks us through Science. Check out full productions from the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company, stunning performances by the esteemed Scala & Kolacny Brothers who cover popular songs with an all girl 26 piece choir, and wander around the many arts and music tents all offering the cream of the crop from comedy, theatre, literary, cabaret, film and art. The festival starts on Thursday 14th July and ends on the Sunday. Tickets cost £170 with camping included and are available from latitudefestival.co.uk. Special £5 tickets are available for children aged 5 to 12. Get your wellies ready!
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