Top Ten UK Family Friendly Festivals
Festival Fever!
Playground is hoping for a hot and balmy summer, perfect festival going weather. Festivals have become a major part of the summer calendar and have become more family friendly with each year. Most offer quieter dedicated family camping zones and it's a good idea for your younger children to wear wristbands with their parents' mobile numbers on in case they lose you in the crowds. You can take your own tent, or try the more expensive option of ‘glamping', yes, that's glamorous camping! There are upmarket alternatives to tents from tipis to podpads, yurts to bell tents or you can make life easy and pay for someone to put up and take down a hired tent for you.
1. CORNBURY
‘A country fair with a rock ‘n' roll twist'
3rd - 4th July. Charlbury, Oxfordshire
Artist line-up includes David Gray, Jackson Brown, Squeeze, Noisettes, The Feeling. Children can learn circus skills, watch puppet shows of traditional Indian stories and there are singing and stories for the under 5's. Breakdance and streetdance workshops are on offer for the teens and for there's a dedicated tent for painting, drawing and making.
www.cornburyfestival.com
2. LATITUDE
‘It's more than just a music festival'
15th - 18th July. Henham Park, Southwold, Sunrise Coast, Suffolk
Line-up includes Florence and the machine, Belle & Sebastian, Vampire Weekend. Arenas to visit include comedy, literary, cabaret, poetry, film and music and theatre. Boutique Babysitting offers childcare for your little ones for four hour sessions giving you time to explore whilst they enjoy a mini-festival of their own.
www.latitudefestival.co.uk
3. CAMP BESTIVAL
‘A cracking family festival at a castle
by the sea'.
30th July - 1st August. Lulworth Castle, Dorset
Voted Best Family Festival 2009, line-up includes Madness, The Human League, Chipmunk, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Billy Bragg, Annie Mac, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. Boutique Babysitting is on-hand to take care of your little ones while you head off and explore. Wide range of entertainment and activities are available for all the family at castle field, magic meadow, kids' garden, kids' circus field, the freestyle sports village and the house of fairy tales.
www.campbestival.co.uk
4. WOMAD
stands for World of Music, Arts and Dance. ‘A world music extravaganza'.
23rd - 25th July. Charlton Park, Upper Minety, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Huge international line-up includes Afro Celt Sound System (UK), Alim Qasimor Ensemble (Azerbaijan), Rolf Harris and His Bank (Australia), Staff Benda Bilili (Congo Democratic Republic), Little Axe (USA). Special events for children are usually in the form of educational and entertaining workshops and activities. There's a global village of shops offering international art, crafts and cuisine, very much part of WOMAD's unique atmosphere.
www.womad.org
5. LARMER TREE
‘It's more than just a music festival'
14th - 18th July. Larmer Tree gardens, Dorset
An intimate festival with a crowd of just 4,000. It celebrates it's 20th Birthday this summer. Over 80 diverse artists, 6 stages, 150 free workshops, street theatre, huge carnival procession, voted Best UK Festival 2008. Line-up includes Jools Holland & his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra (with special guest Alison Moyet), Cornershop, The Unthanks, Martha Wainright, Frank Turner.
www.larmertreefestival.co.uk
6. BELLADRUM
(Tartan Heart) ‘Homegrown in the Highlands from only the finest ingredients'
6th - 7th August. Phoineas, Invernesshire
Music at ‘Bella' crosses all genres of indie, rock, Dance DJ, Celtic, Celtic rock, blues, roots, singer-songwriter and many more, as well as performing arts including dance, theatre, street theatre, cabaret & burlesque, comedy, poetry, literature, drama, debate and a wide variety of other entertainments plus workshops and tuition. Perfect for those visiting friends or family north of the border this summer. Dressing up theme this year is Wonderland!
www.tartanheartfestival.co.uk
7. BEAUTIFUL DAYS
‘The kids area has a lovely vibe to it and is unsurpassed at any other festival'
20th - 22nd August. Escot Park, Ottery St Mary, Devon
Highlighted as BEST FOR FAMILIES in the 2009's Best Music Festival feature by The Times. Beautiful Days is a family friendly festival with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere that is much commented on. There are loads of activities, hands-on workshops and entertainment all weekend long for children of all ages including crafts, theatre, dressing-up, circus, rides, story telling, workshops, comedy, face painting and more. Line-up includes The Levellers, Newton Faulkner, James, The Wailers, Billy Bragg, New Model Army.
www.beautifuldays.org
8. GREEN MAN
20th - 22nd August. Glanusk Park, Brecon Beacons
An independent and very child friendly festival in a beautiful setting. There's lots of children's entertainment and workshops and the line-up includes The Tindersticks, Joanna Newsom, Billy Bragg, Beirut. See Boutiquebabysitting.com for babysitting!
www.thegreenmanfestival.co.uk
9. FESTINHO
‘An intimate family festival in a magic setting with Brazilian sunny vibes'
27th - 29th July. Hinwick House, Bedfordshire
Described as one of the Top 10 Best Small Festivals by The Guardian. Live music, DJ's, visual treats, cabaret, capoeira, samba, delicious food and well priced drinks, kids' areas and lashings of silliness are promised. All profits go to the ABC Trust (abctrust.org.uk), which helps Brazilian children and young people on the streets to transform their lives. Line-up includes AGT Rave Cru, Alucidnation, Belleruche, Chris Wood, Daft Pink, Digitonal, Dr Em & Funky Jim, Eliza Carthy, Flevans, James Yuill, Lucky Elephant, Mixmaster Morris, Sam Carter, Sombrero Soundsystem, The Kleptones.
www.festinho.com
10. END OF THE ROAD
‘..where music-loving, open minded and chilled out people get together in the countryside...'
10th - 12th September. Larmer Tree, Dorset
This late summer festival is all about the music and it prides itself on being an intimate and friendly one. The site is small and easy to get around. For children there are lots of open spaces and wooded areas to explore and a fantastic adventure playground. There's a dedicated children's and family area which offers performances, workshops and activites in three tents in a safe corner of the site. Line-up includes Wilco, The Unthanks, Yo La Tengo, Iron and Wine, Black Mountain, The Mountain Goats.
www.endoftheroadfestival.com
Article written for Summer 2010 issue by Caroline Smith
