Wilderness is perhaps the most popular with parents, offering a dedicated Family Field, swimming and boating lakes, and cricket matches. “This year, guests will be able to enjoy a family theater show in the woods (The Fabularium presents The Hare and The Moon) as well as storytelling sessions out in nature, ‘Music in the Wild,’ and guided walks through the forest exploring bioluminescence, aromatics in nature, and microscopic marvels,” say organizers. “When the daytime fun has been had and parents want to let loose, there are bookable babysitting services on site provided by Mortimer Nannies. We very much welcome children and families, but we know that the grown-ups also appreciate being able to get stuck into all our after-dark program has to offer.”
“We went to Wilderness with my eldest when he was a toddler, and it was a great success,” recalls writer Milly Kenny-Ryder. “Rather than the £200-ish ticket fee, it was a reasonable £10-ish (for under-fives). The variety of music and events kept him more than entertained and the ample space allowed him to roam free. The food was very kid-friendly and satisfying for adults too. More expensive than soft play, but definitely more palatable for the whole family.”
If the idea of camping with children in tow sends shivers down your spine, you could always pick somewhere where you can make a swift exit. “It’s definitely worth finding festivals close to where you live, or a place you don’t have to sleep,” according to Bellamacina. “That way you can curate your day and not feel the pressure to stay on too late.” It also means that you can arrive early, before the crowds, when your kids will likely have the most energy too.
Or, swerve camping in favor of a hotel or Airbnb. “We stayed in a lovely warm (and dry!) Airbnb nearby which was ideal,” says Kenny-Ryder. “We avoided the drunken evening mayhem, and got some much-needed rest before day two of the festival. I can’t imagine navigating the shower lines with an impatient two-year-old!”
Of course, it’s not for everyone, and some parents understandably prefer to go child-free and take the opportunity to let their hair down. “Parents fall into two categories: those that keep their kids in a routine and those that don’t, and there are pros and cons to both,” explains Kenny-Ryder. “My two boys have always had a lack of strict routine, which has mostly been a selfish decision so that they can fit around my sporadic freelancer lifestyle. I think the festival-goer lifestyle suits the non-routine parenting style well. Snacks and music on demand—what more do kids want and need?”