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Best family friendly festivals

By Jen Barton Packer on 24/1/2019

From May to September, it's festival season in the UK, and just because you have kids doesn't mean you can't enjoy the music, the food and the great outdoors.
Of course, it's not quite the same vibe as the pre-kids Glasto days – music is much more of an afterthought if the kids are in meltdown mode long before the headliner comes onstage at 9pm. You should also prepare yourself to spend a significant portion of the day queuing at either A) the loos or B) one of the squillions of food trucks.
That said, the family festival experience can be brilliant. You can unleash your wildest fancy dress fantasies, and enjoy watching your kids commune with nature instead of with Fortnite (remember to pack the waterproof all-in-ones). You should also bring ear defenders for babies and younger children, and wear the carrier instead of the buggy – it will be a pain to push in the mud.
Here's our guide to the best family friendly festivals you need to know about...

Best for xx: Bearded Theory's Spring Gathering

Best for the indie experience: Bearded Theory's Spring Gathering

This multi award-winning, sponsorship-free fest is truly independent. With a popular Children's Village the whole family can look forward to party games, hula-hooping, disco, a poetry tent, crafts, a baby tent, puppet shows, family yoga and a teen area with build a band and graffiti workshops. The real highlight for families is the OFSTED-registered Festival School, which offers kids an educational experience alongside forest-school style learning. Think of it as life lessons meets National-Curriculum approved subjects, while you have your own learning experience: discovering new music from Suede, The Wildhearts, Lancashire Hotpots and Doves.

WHEN

23 May 2019 - 26 May 2019

WHERE

Bearded Theory, Catton Hall, Catton Park, Catton, Walton upon Trent, DE12 8LN

Best for trying something new: Elderflower Fields

Like the sound of doing yoga to power ballads, crafting pompom headbands, listening to trees and trying baby bouldering? All of that combines with delicious local food and lovely music for a weekend away with a bit of magic that's firmly a family-first festival experience. There's even a chill-out tent for bedtime stories manned by nannies.

WHEN

24 May 2019 - 27 May 2019

WHERE

Elderflower Fields, Pippingford Park Manor, Nutley, Uckfield, TN22 3HW

Best for Americana vibes: Black Deer Festival

Den-building, arts and crafts, country music, guitar lessons and more await at Black Deer Festival, a popular newbie on the UK festival scene. We were sold as soon as we heard about the southern American home cooking on offer.

WHEN

21 Jun 2019 - 23 Jun 2019

WHERE

Black Deer, Eridge Park, Eridge Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JT

Best for xx: Timber, the International Forest Festival

Best for tree-hugging: Timber, the International Forest Festival

If you want your kids to spend a weekend in nature – and really live and breathe it – then Timber Forest Festival at Feanedock is just the ticket. With woodland games and circus skills, outdoor bushcraft and survival tasks, a giant wooden marble run and wild play where kids learn to whittle and hammer and a wild food kitchen, Timber makes us feel like achieving that digital detox is actually possible, if only for a few blissful days.

WHEN

5 Jul 2019 - 7 Jul 2019

WHERE

Timber, Rawdon Road, Moira, Swadlincote, DE12 6DQ

Best for a chilled vibe: Latitude Festival

Attendees love Latitude for its relaxed vibe and family-friendly atmosphere, with three dedicated family areas on-site. There is a designated teen space with music, fashion and technology workshops and a chance to try out VR, journalism and more, as well as a Kids' Area with crafting, performances, science and wildlife. There is also an Enchanted Garden family campsite, where you can practise family yoga, try out new circus skills and wake up to morning disco parties. Also, the sheep at Latitude are all different shades of pastel, which is probably worth the trip alone.

Photo: Lauren Maccabee

WHEN

18 Jul 2019 - 21 Jul 2019

WHERE

Latitude, Henham Barns Nr, Southwold, Beccles, NR34 8AQ

Best for XX: Nozstock: The Hidden Valley

Best for the family-run atmospher: Nozstock: The Hidden Valley

Nozstock has been around for over two decades, and is renowned for its unpretentious, old-school festival vibes, great mix of music (past highlights include Goldfrapp, The Happy Mondays and Grandmaster Flash) and the impressive Little Wonderland Kids Area, which offers workshops in everything from upcycling clothes to beat boxing and graffiti. This year's event – themed around The Wizard of Oz – promises to be even more family-friendly, with a larger family camping area, more toilets and on-site kids' supplies like plasters and sun cream in case you run out. Under-12s go free.

Photo: Charlie Rimmer

WHEN

18 Jul 2019 - 21 Jul 2019

WHERE

Nozstock, Rowden Paddocks, Bromyard, Herefordshire, HR7 4LS

Best for natural beauty: Larmer Tree Festival

Located in the unspoilt area of Cranborne Chase, Salisbury, Larmer Tree Festival is a hit with families, who love the emphasis on craft-based activities for kiddos. Also, one word: Lostwood. This magical, atmospheric woodland has instruments and books suspended from trees, pop-up theatre, chill-out zones and evening music.

Photo: Garry Jones

WHEN

18 Jul 2019 - 21 Jul 2019

WHERE

Larmer Tree, Larmer Tree Gardens, Tollard Royal, Salisbury, SP5 5PY

Best for a bit of magic: Port Eliot Festival

This Cornish festival has it all: a majestic setting in an ancient estate, a woodland haven for children to play in, wood-fired hot tubs and saunas for parents to escape to, costumed treasure hunts, readings from beloved kids' authors and celebs, circus acts and plenty more. There's also a line-up of musical acts, fashion and literary talks, workshops and comedy. Welcome to Narnia.

Photo: Louise Roberts

WHEN

25 July 2019 - 28 July 2019

WHERE

St. Germans, Cornwall

Best for a day trip out of London: Standon Calling

Located less than an hour's drive from London, Standon Calling boasts an on-site swimming pool, a kids' area that plays host to various family workshops and entertainment including a kids' disco and performances from CBeebies' Mr. Bloom and his band, as well as Dick and Dom. There's also an annual theme to inspire the whole family's fancy dress.

WHEN

25 July 2019 - 28 July 2019

WHERE

Standon Lordship, Standon, Hertfordshire, SG11 1EE

Best for the big festival experience: Camp Bestival

Camp Bestival is a hit with families, many of whom come back year after year. It's also very strong for the under-5 crowd, with a dedicated soft play tent, workshops, crafts, Big Top circus, gigantic bouncy castle, CBeebies performers and family raving from Big Fish Little Fish. Jess Glynne and The Human League are set to headline Bestival's 'little sister' festival this year, with superheroes as the theme. Bonus points if you dress up as a frazzled parent.

Photo: Camp Bestival

WHEN

25 July 2019 - 28 July 2019

WHERE

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Lulworth, East Lulworth, BH20 5QS

Best for a global celebration: WOMAD UK

Bringing contemporary art, literary figures, science and wellness altogether, WOMAD offers 200 workshops for kids, who get to enjoy the whole festival experience (including all activities) for free if they're 13 and under. Zumba? Den building? Circus skills? This festival is their oyster.

WHEN

25 July 2019 - 28 July 2019

WHERE

WOMAD, Charlton Park, Malmesbury SN16 9DG

Best for reliving the 90s: Kendal Calling

Cumbria's Kendal Calling festival has a popular and eclectic mix of bands including Manic Street Preachers, Noel Gallagher, Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Charlatans. Many festival-goers love the 90s throwback mood set against the glorious Cumbrian backdrop. While you're enjoying your nostalgia trip, the kiddos will be making robots and rockets, boogieing at nightly discos and watching movies.

WHEN

25 July 2019 - 28 July 2019

WHERE

Kendal Calling, Lowther, Penrith, CA10 2HH

Best for an eclectic experience: Deer Shed Festival

With cool-kid musical appeal from the likes of singers Anna Calvi, Sunflower Bean and Ezra Furman, Deer Shed is Yorkshire's go-to family festival with science, sport, crafts, outdoor activities, a sensory tent, baby rave and soft play for teeny tots. Ear defenders, bottle sterilisers, high chairs, baby baths and slings are all available for parents to use while at the festival.

Photo: Soundcloud

WHEN

26 Jul 2019 - 28 Jul 2019

WHERE

Deer Shed Festival, Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, YO7 3BZ

Best for community spirit: Chilled in a Field

The consensus from parents around non-for-profit enterprise Chilled in a Field is that it's actually a relaxing way to spend a weekend – which isn't what you'd typically expect from a family festival experience. Kids will spend their time jumping on the bouncy castle, playing for hours in the sand pit, chilling in the soft play tent and hanging at the crafts table. Even teens have their own dedicated space, to hide out from parents and younger siblings. There are also workshops and performances and all kids' activities are totally free with the ticket price.

WHEN

26 Jul 2019 - 28 Jul 2019

WHERE

Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum, Halland, East Sussex, BN8 5AF

Best for reconnecting with nature : Wilderness Festival

Wilderness is about the holistic festival experience: great music (Nile Rodgers, Bastille and Groove Armada all performed last year), wellness, banquets from the likes of Ottolenghi and Ella Woodward, workshops, performances and plenty of family-friendly fun – naked cricket and wheelbarrow races, craft tents, singalongs, floristry, circus skills and fairground rides for a start. Of course, nothing beats a dip in the idyllic lake, bushcrafts, nature trails and wandering the woods for that outdoor time you've been craving for your little ones.

Photo: Andrew Whitton

WHEN

1 Aug 2019 - 4 Aug 2019

WHERE

Wilderness, Cornbury Park, Charlbury Oxfordshire, OX7 3EH

Best for active families: Boardmasters

Sure, this Cornish festival has some great musical guests (Florence and the Machine, Dizzee Rascal, Jorja Smith, Franz Ferdinand) to tempt concert-goers, but by day, Boardmasters also combines sea and surf, with opportunities for the pros and lessons for beginners. Boardmasters also prioritises sustainability, working to clean up the Cornish coastline and eliminate single-use plastic at the festival.

Photo: Andrew Whitton

WHEN

7 Aug 2019 - 11 Aug 2019

WHERE

Boardmasters, Trebelsue Farm, Watergate Bay, Newquay, TR8 4AN

Best for picturesque Wales: Green Man Festival

Nestled in the Brecon Beacons, this festival prides itself on sustainability and the chance for a bit of rustic fun (camp out in Settlers Pass to embrace the communal spirit and make this a week-long part of your summer hols). Add folksy tunes from the likes of Fleet Foxes, delicious fresh food and beer (pizza! dumplings! burgers! vegan sushi! churros!) and a kid's and teen area with workshops, science explorations, T-shirt making, films and wellness sessions, and you've got all of the ingredients for a fab family weekend.

WHEN

15 Aug 2019 - 18 Aug 2019

WHERE

Green Man, Glanusk Park, Powys, NP8 1LP

Best for unleashing their creativity: Just So Festival

This Cheshire-based family festival combines music and disco, circus performers, outdoor adventures and shows, campfire stories and outdoor play. This is a great one for kids of all ages, with a jam-packed schedule of activities throughout the day including baby yoga, Maypole dancing and tai chi. Kids also love dressing up and earning points for one of the animal-themed teams (fox, owl, fish, lion, etc).

WHEN

16 Aug 2019 - 18 Aug 2019

WHERE

Just So Festival, Rode Hall Estate, Scholar Green, Cheshire, ST7 3QT

Best for foodies: The Big Feastival

Sure, The Big Feastival draws top chefs like Marco Pierre White, Mark Hix and Raymond Blanc and music headliners like Craig David and Paloma Faith, but it also gets the kiddos captivated with appearances from Peppa Pig, The Gruffalo and Paddington. In addition to all the usual fab kid's stuff (crafts, circus, farm, etc.) past Feastivals have included all kinds of deliciousness to tempt your budding foodie: kids' cookery classes, a veg patch, a DJ'd cheese hub, pop-up restaurants and street food galore. Cue mouth watering.

WHEN

23 Aug 2019 - 25 Aug 2019

WHERE

The Big Feastival, Alex James's Farm, Kingham, Chipping Norton, OX7 6UJ

Best for folk: Towersey Festival

From family yoga to bush crafting (we so want to whittle a spear), as well as tailored youth programmes for young adults, the Towersey Festival's become renowned for its welcoming vibe and popular folk lineup, which includes The Selecter, Hothouse Flowers, Seth Lakeman, Steve Harley, The Unthanks, Rusty Shackle and Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys this year.

WHEN

23 Aug 2019 - 26 Aug 2019

WHERE

Towersey Festival, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3JL

Best for XX: The Good Life Festival Experience

Best for getting back to basics: The Good Life Experience

If you have fantasies of your children roasting marshmallows, unleashing their inner Katniss Everdeen with archery, as well as foraging, spoon carving, dough kneading, enjoying vintage fairground rides and more (all in an idyllic Welsh countryside landscape) then The Good Life Experience is for you. Founded by Cerys Matthews, this intimate festival really caters to children as much as to their parents, with workshops, talks, outdoor cooking sessions and outdoor activities to tempt kids of all ages. Even better? It's free for under-12s.

Photo: Nenad Abramovitch

WHEN

12 Sept 2019 - 15 Sept 2019

WHERE

The Good Life Experience, Hawarden Estate Farm Shop, Chester Road, Hawarden, Flintshire, CH5 3FB

Best family friendly festivals

Best for the indie experience: Bearded Theory's Spring Gathering

Best for trying something new: Elderflower Fields

Best for Americana vibes: Black Deer Festival

Best for tree-hugging: Timber, the International Forest Festival

Best for a chilled vibe: Latitude Festival

Best for the family-run atmospher: Nozstock: The Hidden Valley

Best for natural beauty: Larmer Tree Festival

Best for a bit of magic: Port Eliot Festival

Best for a day trip out of London: Standon Calling

Best for the big festival experience: Camp Bestival

Best for a global celebration: WOMAD UK

Best for reliving the 90s: Kendal Calling

Best for an eclectic experience: Deer Shed Festival

Best for community spirit: Chilled in a Field

Best for reconnecting with nature : Wilderness Festival

Best for active families: Boardmasters

Best for picturesque Wales: Green Man Festival

Best for unleashing their creativity: Just So Festival

Best for foodies: The Big Feastival

Best for folk: Towersey Festival

Best for getting back to basics: The Good Life Experience

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