Latitude Festival Kids Area
UK Family Friendly Festivals 2012
Maybe it’s the sudden rush of summer sun or the downward spiral of the Euro and the uncertainty over Greek and Spanish holiday destinations but all of a sudden everyone’s talking about Summer Music Festivals and in particular the more family friendly amongst them. Couple that with the ever growing appeal of glamping and you have a recipe for a perfect summer break for you and the kids this summer.
Whilst pulling all nighters may have been a brilliant idea when you were young, free and single or even newly coupled, the first requirement for most parents of young children when considering a festival holiday is security and the reasonably close proximity of a half decent toilet. But that doesn’t mean the fun is over as this list of family friendly festivals for 2012 illustrates.
All details are correct at the time of writing but it’s worth clicking the links to make sure of the current situation ticket and line up wise if you’re thinking of taking the plunge and heading off for a few days of music and fun.
June 2012 – UK Family Friendly Festivals
Traditionally the start of the Summer Festival Season in the United Kingdom. Here is a list of family friendly festivals for June 2012
Apple Cart Festival
When: 3 June 2012
Where: Victoria Park, Grove Rd, London E3 What: Not a camping holiday but London’s boutique festival of music, comedy, art, cabaret & much more is a real treat for the Jubilee weekend.
Who: Noah and the Whale, Adam Ant, Gilles Peterson, Sean Lock, Rich Hall, Shappi Khorsandi, The House of Fairytales Film Theatre, Magic tent, Jubilee Village Fete games, and lots more acts and entertainment.
How Much: Adult £33/under 12s FREE
http://theapplecartfestival.com/
Wychwood
When: 8 – 10 June
Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire
What: Eclectic mix of music, poetry and comedy. 100 acts and 3 days of music, cabaret and creativity, Wychwood is a nominee for Best Family Festival at the UK Festival Awards.
Who: Bellowhead, James, The Saw Doctors, The Damned
How much: Weekend passes £115, Teens (10 – 15) £55, Child (5 – 9) £15. Day tickets £37 – £53
www.wychwoodfestival.com
The Eden Festival
When: 15 – 17 June
Where: Raehills Meadows, Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway
What: A welcoming, atmospheric, family friendly festival, located in the stunning Raehills Meadows, set across 8 stages.
Who: Badly Drawn Boy, Dub Pistols Soundsystem, The Cuban Brothers
How much: Weekend ticket £79, Under 12s FREE
http://edenfestival.co.uk/
Cornbury Festival
When: 29 June – 1 July
Where: Great Tew Estate, Oxfordshire
What: A one-of-a-kind, eclectic and eccentric musical carnival. A dynamic summer festival disguised as a country fayre tailor made for the whole family
Who: James Morrison, The Waterboys, Elvis Costello, Macy Gray, Jools Holland
How much: Adult £175, Young Person (13 – 16) £100, Children (3 – 12) £15. All prices inclusive of weekend camping
http://www.cornburyfestival.com/
July 2012 – UK Family Friendly Festivals
The London Games alternative. July is peak time in the UK Summer Festival Season. See below for a list of family friendly festivals for July 2012
Larmer Tree
When: 11 – 15 July
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, near Salisbury, on the Wiltshire/Dorset border
What: Originally billed as a Jazz, Blues & Folk Roots Festival, Larmer Tree is an award winning gathering of 70 diverse artists, 6 stages, Comedy Club,150 free workshops, street theatre and carnival procession. The perfect escape!
Who: Paloma Faith, Jools Holland, Levellers, Tim Minchin, Stephen K Amos
How much: 5 day adult pass: £190, Youth (11–17) £155, Child (5–10) £130. Day tickets from £36 adults and £24 kids www.larmertreefestival.co.uk
Latitude Festival
When: 12 – 15 July
Where: Henham Park, Southwold, Suffolk
What: Great bands and arty fun for every age group. Children’s Arena, Book Nook, theatre workshops, Heartstitch crafting and baby and toddler chill-out tent.
Who: Bon Iver, Elbow and Paul Weller with special appearance by Rufus Wainwright and his Band. Huge cast of comedians including Jack Dee, Reginald D Hunter Tim Minchin and Rich Hall.
How much: Day ticket £75, weekend £175/child 5-12 £5/under 5s FREE (booking fees apply) + camper van £40 (Jul 12-15)
http://www.latitudefestival.co.uk/
Guilfest
When 13 – 15 July
Where Stoke Park, Guildford
What Music, comedy, theatre and arts festival with great kidzone. Slap bang in the centre of Guildford, Guilfest is now in it’s 21st year and a family favourite.
Who Jools Holland, Bryan Ferry, ABC< Heaven 17, Buzzcocks, Olly Murs.
How much Weekend camping £130, child (12-15) £80, Under 12s FREE
http://www.guilfest.co.uk/
Port Eliot
When: 19 – 22 July
Where: Port Eliot near Torpoint, Cornwall
What: An annual celebration of words, music, imagination, laughter, exploration, and – above all – fun.
Who: Suggs, The Bees, Lazy Lester, Stornoway, Sean Rowley.
How much: Weekend camping £145, child (8-15) £75
www.porteliotfestival.com
Chagstock
When: 20 – 21 July
Where: Whiddon Down, Dartmoor, Devon
What: The West Country’s best-loved summer festival party complete with kids tent and family area.
Who: Fun Lovin’ Criminals, KT Tunstall, Alabama 3
How much: Weekend camping £65, family £170
http://www.chagstock.info/
Deer Shed
When: 20 – 22 July
Where: Baldersby Park, Topcliffe, North Yorkshire
What: Deer Shed is run by parents and was nominated for Best Family Festival in 2011 (UK Festival Awards). Fun for kids includes Paintball Art, Cardboard City building, Exotic Animals show, drumming workshops.
Who: Saint Etienne, Villagers, Cherry Ghost and Los Campesinos among the main stage bands.
How much: Adult £69 (Fri-Sun) or £59 (Sat-Sun)/child 6+ £20/under 5s FREE
http://deershedfestival.com/
Camp Bestival
When: 26 – 29 July
Where: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
What: Bestival’s family-friendly little sister. For the kids, there’s Shrek the Musical, Mr Tumble, the Bopps, Beauty & the Beast, Fantastic Mr Fox and the Silly Olympics.
Who: Hot Chip, Chic, Kool & the Gang, Happy Mondays, Rolf Harris, Jimmy Carr, more than 30 DJ sets and many other great acts.
How much: Weekend with camping tickets adult £175 or £185 (from Thu)/child 15-17 £110 or £115 (from Thu)/child 11-14 £95/under 11s FREE (Jul 26-29)
www.campbestival.net
Womad
When: 27 – 29 July
Where: Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
What: Founded by Peter Gabriel and celebrating it’s 30th anniversary Womad is the original and best world music and dance festival.
Who: Jimmy Cliff, Hugh Maskela, Khaled and many more world music stars
How much: Weekend ticket – Adult £135, Teenage £70 Children under 13 FREE (£10 booking fee per transaction)
http://womad.co.uk/
August 2012 – UK Family Friendly Festivals
Schools out for the month long UK Summer Music Festival Season. Here are the August 2012 Family Friendly Music Festvals
Croissant Neuf Summer Party
When: 10 – 12 August
Where: Near Usk, Monmouthshire
What: The best kept secret on the UK festival scene. Multi-award winning, totally solar powered, environmentally sound, family festival.
Who: Seth Lakeman, Gabby Young And Other Animals, Willy Mason, Flipron
How much: Adult Weekend Camping £95, Child (6-15) £38, Under 5s FREE
http://www.croissantneuf.co.uk/
LolliBop Festival
When: 17 – 19 August
Where: Regent’s Park, London
What: A magical land of endless fun for the under 10s. All the thrills of a festival vibe but without the hassle of camping or long car journeys (providing of course you live in London)
Who: The Gruffalo live, Dick & Dom, Zinzillas, Waybuloo, Mister Maker, Little Angel Theatre, Science Museum plus tons of activities including 3ft and Under Tent, Disco Shed, Enchanted Forest and tons more.
How much: From £22-25 per day, babies under 1 FREE (no camping)
http://www.lollibopfestival.co.uk/
Just So Festival
When: 17 – 19 August
Where: Rode Hall Estate, Stoke-on-Trent
What: Winner of Green Parent, Best Family Festival 2011. A journey of the imagination and a magical weekend of creative adventures. Baby-friendly festival with live theatre, storytelling, boutique camping, Lazy Days fun area including trapeze lessons, Jitterbugs dance action and special under 3s area.
Who: Not a lot going on in the way of grown up entertainment but some great shows and activities for kids from disco to belly dancing.
How much: Adult weekend with camping £85/child 3+ £35/under 3s FREE
http://www.justsofestival.org.uk/
Towersey
When: 23 – 27 August
Where: Thame, Oxfordshire
What: Kid-friendly, great music, dance, spoken word, street theatre, visual art, film and song. Great campsites, beautiful surroundings and that certain special Towersey feeling.
Who: Bellowhead, Kathryn Tickell, Peatbog Faeries
How much: Weekend camping £124, Teen (12 – 17) £82, Child (5 – 11) £51, Under 5s FREE
http://www.towerseyfestival.com/
Limetree
When: 24 – 26 August
Where: Masham, North Yorkshire
What: A Return to How Festivals Used to Be. Limetree is a small independent 3 day music festival with a huge funky, friendly heart.
Who: Utah Saints, Uncle Frank, Fossil Collective.
How much: Weekend camping £85, Teens (14–17) £45, Child (5-13) £25, Under 5s FREE
http://www.limetreefestival.co.uk/
Solfest
When: 24 – 26 August
Where: Tarnside Farm, near Aspatria, Cumbria
What: Music and arts festival in its ninth year. Independent family friendly event, staffed by volunteers, dedicated to providing a friendly, happy, relaxed event.
Who The Waterboys, Big Country, Adam Ant, KT Tunstall, Billy Bragg
How much Weekend camping £95, teen (12-16) £65, child (6-11) £25
http://www.solfest.org.uk/
September 2012 – UK Family Friendly Festivals
The closing month of the UK Summer Music Festival Season. Family Friendly Music Festvals taking place in September
The Big Feastival
When: 1 – 2 September
Where: Alex James’ Farm, near Kingham, Oxfordshire
What: A feastival of an extravaganza of delicious food, sound-tracked by perfect summer sounds, top entertainment with a whole host of star appearances from the food, music and children’s entertainment world.
Who Paloma Faith, Texas, Razorlight, Sister Sledge and Peppa Pig and a host of famous chefs including Jamie of course!
How much Weekend Adult Camping Ticket £120, Weekend Teen Camping Ticket (12-17) £60, Weekend non camping £75 teens£35) Day tickets £40 (teens £20) Under 12’s FREE
http://www.jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival/
All details correct at 26 May 2012. Please contact festival organizers for up to date information. Festival organizers wishing to include their information free of charge should contact havefun@musicbus.com