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National Geographic
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
8 of the best UK summer festivals for families
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Music festivals are doing more than ever to cater to all interests and ages. Younger audiences are often won over purely by the fact that attendance typically involves camping, glamping or pitching up in a caravan — an opportunity to sleep out in the wild. But the UK's best festivals also provide an endless roster of activities, workshops and experiences to help families bond and create lasting memories. From chilled countryside escapes to adrenaline-sparking coastal adventures. Here are the golden tickets for summer 2025. 1. Camp Bestival Best for: big music acts Set in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset's award-winning festival always has a solid line-up, from Tom Jones to the Sugababes and Mr Tumble. Away from the main stages, there's the world's biggest bouncy castle, mud kitchens and activities such as kids' talent shows, bucket-hat sewing camps and sensory gardens. At the Orchestra of Objects, children can even invent their own musical instruments from junk. 31 July to 3 August. From £733 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Dressing down for the world's largest pyjama party on the Saturday evening. 2. Green Man Best for: connecting with nature Backdropped by Bannau Brycheiniog (the Brecon Beacons National Park), the campsite at Green Man opens three days before the action starts, giving families the opportunity to enjoy a week-long break in rural Wales. After evenings spent dancing to the likes of Brit Award winners Wet Leg and dance legends Underworld, welcome each new day with a family sunrise yoga session before wandering over to Einstein's Garden for scientific installations, art and wildlife walks. Older kids can try their hand at film-making, crafting and mastering circus skills in the 'Somewhere' zone. 14 to 17 August. From £650 for a family of four camping. Highlight: The closing fireworks display and ritual burning of the Green Man sculpture to symbolise rebirth in the natural world. At the Wilderness Festival in Oxfordshire, the Family Field is full of games, theatre and workshops for all ages. Photograph by Sarah Louise Bennett 3. Wilderness Festival Best for: sparking creativity Set within the 5,000-acre Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire, Wilderness Festival has a suitably retro music line-up for parents this year, including Basement Jaxx, Supergrass and Orbital. There's also a dedicated Family Field packed with activities to spark the imagination and inspire creativity. Younger ravers can attend the regular storytelling sessions or 'Treemendously Wild' craft workshop to build masterpieces out of natural materials; for older kids, there are slime-making and circus workshops, comic-drawing sessions and poetry classes, plus woodland theatre. And when parents want to attend a gig solo or visit the Lakeside Spa & Sauna, there's a popular nanny service for the little ones. 31 July-3 August; From £610 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Hands-on radio and podcasting tutorials with experienced producers for budding broadcasters. 4. Camp Kindling Best for: bonding adventures Exclusively for families, this Kent favourite prides itself on being more like a summer camp than a festival. Over 100 adventurous activities are on offer throughout the ancient woodland setting. For a quieter moment away from the zorbing, raft-building and beekeeping, grown-ups can take advantage of on-site childcare and nip to the adults-only wellness sanctuary. 15 to 18 August. From £520 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Join a patrol — the Kindling version of a house at school — and work with new friends to compete for the Kindling Cup. At Deer Shed music festival, there's no designated kids' area — the whole event, dedicated to discovery and expanding younger children's minds, is accessible. Photograph by James Drury 5. Deer Shed Best for: inspiring young minds Sheep are a regular sight on the landscaped fields of Deer Shed — set on part of a working farm close to Ripon in North Yorkshire. There's no designated kids' area — the whole event, dedicated to discovery and expanding younger children's minds, is accessible. Children can see where imagination leads through storytelling workshops and learn about creepy-crawlies through song in The Bug Hotel. Kae Tempest is headlining on Saturday this year; for the smallest ravers, there's the blackout tent hosting a toddler 'nightclub'. 25 to 28 July. From £534 for a family of four camping. Highlight: DJing classes, to help aspiring kids on their journey towards festival headlining. 6. Wildhood Festival Best for: brave Celtic warriors 'Celebrating Scotland' is the theme of this three-day event in the grounds of Perthshire's Tullibole Castle. Aimed primarily at children aged 12 and under, Wildhood plays on local folklore and Scottish traditions with tartan workshops, a woodland haggis hunt, even searching for Nessie in the castle moat. Local bands are complemented by pipers, and street food stalls serve up Caledonian classics. 6 to 8 June. From £509 for a family of four camping. Highlight: Competing in a junior version of the Highland Games. Food is the main attraction at Cornwall's Rock Oyster Festival. Photograph by the Rock Oyster Festival, Caitlin Mogridge 7. Rock Oyster Festival Best for: water babies Making the most of its Cornish coastal location, just a rock's throw from Padstow, Rock Oyster offers an armada of water-based activities, from surfing lessons to a pirate school. This year's impressive musical line-up includes Rag'n'Bone Man and UB40. Food plays a major role here, too, with celebrity chef masterclasses and a cookery school for kids. 24-27 July. From £418 for a family of four camping. Highlight: A model-making workshop with Aardman, the creative brains behind Wallace and Gromit 8. Deva Fest Best for: funfair fans Taking its title from the Roman name for nearby Chester, this festival is set in fields overlooked by Cholmondeley Castle. It gives older children a glimpse of life 2,000 years ago with archery, axe-throwing and bushcraft sessions. Younger revellers will enjoy the games and shows led by a team from Chester Zoo, covering topics such as the science behind animal poo. Deva Fest is friendly on the wallet, too, with free fairground rides hoovering up the daylight hours, before Happy Mondays and Gloria Gaynor take to the main stage. 8 to 10 August. From £431 for a family of four camping. Highlight: The Grand Cavalcade troupe of performers leading explosive science experiments, madcap storytelling and interactive workshops. Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
The Independent
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
I run Camp Bestival with my DJ husband, Rob da Bank – and this is what it's really like
It started one evening in the early 2000s when my husband Robby, better known to his fans as the DJ Rob da Bank, and I were – to put it politely – a little tipsy. That eventful night, we hatched a plan to start a brand new music festival that we called Bestival – and even though we hadn't really thought it through back then, here we are, some 20-odd years later, still running the family-friendly spin-off we launched in 2008, Camp Bestival, albeit with greyer hair, four kids and an ever-patient bank manager. It's probably best that we were a bit loopy, as, if I'm honest, I'm not sure anything could have prepared us for the reality of running a music festival. Forget the bands: the first thing we needed to master was the clear-up. When all our guests go home on Monday, the work doesn't stop there. Instead, that's when we go through the knackering and somewhat depressing experience of taking down the stages, sets and campsites. Depending on the weather, this can take anything from a week to a whole month. Then, hot off the heels of one festival, we have to start planning the next; fixing any bits that didn't go right – no festival ever runs completely smoothly – and worrying about how to sell a fresh batch of 30,000 tickets. Yet, for some reason, this whole psychologically challenging and physically exhausting process is oddly addictive. When Merlin was a baby, I remember us sleeping in a Mongolian yurt with him and Arlo, then 2, who was suffering from a hacking croup cough. Spiders crawled across the cot and cold crept in and kept us awake. But each morning, as the sun hit the canvas, we felt more alive and inspired than by any morning in 'the real world'. Watching Florence and The Machine, Ed Sheeran (then barely famous and playing to 30 screaming teens), a brooding Bon Iver and the legendary Chuck Berry play across our first couple of years set a benchmark for us. It proved that family festivals need not be 'poptastic' and full of naff activities – they could be cool, too. We've worked hard to achieve this status. In Camp Bestival, we have created a multi-layered, multi-venue wonderland for kids of all ages – as well as their parents and grandparents. Surrounded by rolling fields, colourful tents and shady woodlands, they can get lost in hundreds of activities and creative happenings all day. Screens are forgotten, devices are ignored, and for once technology takes a backseat. One of the biggest challenges I've faced with Camp Bestival came five days after giving birth to our youngest child, Miller, in 2017. Bearing a freshly bandaged emergency C-section scar with my newborn baby and buggy in tow, I was hit with the very real reminder that the show must go on. When you're an independent festival promoter, maternity leave is a lovely idea, but not very practical. Yes, we grow more exhausted as the weekend progresses. But as each day unfolds, we feel better and better for having so many unique, memory-making experiences, and we're able to temporarily forget the day job, mortgage or the state of the world. Encouraging creativity and exposing kids to the performing arts, live bands and DJs, as well as immersive arts and crafts, is what motivates us – and is so enriching for them. We still camp on-site with our kids for that reason – and they all have their assigned jobs. Arlo, now 19, lends a hand to the art department, helping them build and create sets; young entrepreneur Merlin, 17, has his own on-site sweet shop; Miller, 15, goes full DIY mode; and our youngest, Eli, 8, does the most important job of all: he enjoys the festival and reminds us why we do it. Of course, festival life has its challenges – not least being woken up in a sweaty teepee by one of the kids at 3am or having one of them 'steal' a golf buggy from the crew. But, as I look around at what we've created, almost two decades on, I know I wouldn't change any of it for the world.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
Popular sea shanty band who play Glastonbury are at centre of SLAVERY probe after cops raid caravan park
A SEA-SHANTY band is at the centre of a major modern slavery probe which was uncovered after their minibus was involved in a crash. Six members of The Old Time Sailors, a 20-piece folk music group which has played at Glastonbury, were nicked after their van hit trees near their base in Devon. 2 It follows claims that musicians, including fiddlers, banjo strummers and accordion squeezers, were being kept in a caravan park near Tiverton for little or no wages. It is understood that the group's leader may have fled and is being sought by cops. The band who are due to play Camp Bestival festival as well as a number of O2 arenas in Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol this summer, have been forced to cancel their upcoming gigs in Cornwall. One venue WAX in Watergate Bay said: 'So, a little curveball for tonight – due to some unforeseen circumstances, we've had to switch up our planned music.' Pictures showed the van crashed into trees following the accident involving a lorry around 7.30am on Monday. It is understood they were returning from a 10pm gig in Liverpool the night before and had driven through the night before the prang. No one was hurt but cops at the scene identified several people in the van as possible victims of exploitation. Officers then searched the band's caravan park in the hamlet of Gulworthy near Tiverton and identified more potential victims, numbering eight in total who are now being 'safeguarded'. Devon and Cornwall Police sergeant Thomas Ottley said: 'As part of our response to the initial incident, we identified several of the occupants of the van as being potential victims of exploitation offences. 'They are receiving specialist support and being safeguarded at this time. Fans slam Glastonbury as 'worst one ever' as full lineup announced 'Shortly after, officers carried out a search at an address in the Gulworthy area which led to the identification of further potential victims. 'We worked alongside the local authority and partner agencies yesterday in safeguarding these individuals and their support was very much appreciated. 'As part of this investigation, we have arrested six males on suspicion of modern-day slavery offences. 'They are currently in police custody assisting us with our enquiries.' The six arrested were later bailed as enquiries continue. In an update yesterday (Thurs), cops said: 'The six individuals who were arrested have all been bailed. 'The identified victims are being supported by specially trained officers and are receiving multi-agency support. Enquiries are ongoing.' The band, which plays classic shanties including Galway Girl and The Wild Rover, have been accused of not paying its musicians. An official statement from the band described the modern slavery claims as 'scandalous accusations, speculation and fabrications' and part of 'an online hate campaign'. It added: 'The sad fact is a certain crew member parted ways with the band, and following this we received a very threatening email. 'We didn't respond, and then suddenly it happened. Accusations, lies, horror stories and ruinous allegations. 'We will instead focus on what we have put all our efforts into; the music and performing. We love our fans so thank you for all the support and we hope to see you at a show soon.' 2
Telegraph
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The best family festivals to book this summer
As schools consider banning smartphones, there's somewhere where they're nigh on useless. Scrolling is the last thing on your mind at a music festival, when there are furry-tailed friends to meet, bubbles to chase and dance-offs to win. Which is just as well, as gatherings of lots of people can play havoc with phone reception. This summer's festival season is nearly upon us and, while we could all probably do with some carefree frolicking, weekend tickets for a family are a solid financial commitment. The cost of running a festival has shot up in recent years and a few long-running favourites have decided to take the year off. Womad, the global music festival that's usually held in Wiltshire, is planning its 2026 edition in a brand new site. The space-themed festival Bluedot, held in a unique location at the Jodrell Bank Observatory, hasn't returned after last year's fallow year. Meanwhile, family stalwart Just So - also in Cheshire – says it's taking a break after 15 years to reimagine itself. Yet the show will go on for plenty of festival favourites, who will be dusting themselves in eco-friendly glitter and delivering world-class programming that takes families away from screens and inspires them to have fun together. One of those is Camp Bestival which, after 17 years, is a benchmark for all that's possible for a family to enjoy in one weekend. For 2025, festival founder and DJ Rob da Bank is focusing on health and wellbeing. 'We're introducing our biggest wellness area yet,' he said. 'It's for mums or dads to escape to, but it's also for families. We'll have family shake-outs each morning in the Dreamweaver's Garden, family breathwork sessions, an introduction to meditation for teenagers and teenage yoga. Everything is accessible to children and there'll be lots of drop-in classes.' Victorious Festival, meanwhile, is offering children free fruit all weekend to keep energy levels up. For the chance to dance, create and de-stress this summer, see what else is planned at the 12 best festivals for families below. Bearded Theory, Derbyshire May 21-25 The only UK festival with its own school, at Bearded Theory children can partake in a wide range of broadly academic lessons. Last year this included making paper aeroplanes in science, joke books in English, yoga and drumming. It's a great way of helping little ones make friends and, when school's out, families can head off for a dance with their new buddies. Held in the grounds of Catton Hall, the Earth area is for healing and sustainable crafting, while this year's lineup includes Iggy Pop, Manic Street Preachers and English Teacher. Shindig, Somerset May 22-25
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Camp Bestival adds two new headliners to its 2025 lineup
Camp Bestival organisers have announced a new wave of acts for its 2025 event, revealing that Sir Tom Jones and pop group the Sugababes will join Basement Jaxx as its headliners. In its 17th year, the festival has unveiled a typically eclectic lineup of rock, indie, pop and drum and bass, along with a range of family-friendly activities such as CBeebies Bedtime Stories and the Horrible Histories show. Other artists on the lineup include indie rock bands Lightning Seeds and The Zutons, newcomers The Pill, Palestinian singer-songwriter Bashar Murad, singer-songwriter Nieve Ella and drum and bass legend Goldie, who will perform with a full live band. Welsh star Jones has a vast back catalogue, featuring classics such as 'It's Not Unusual', 'What's New Pussycat?', 'She's a Lady', 'Sex Bomb' and his James Bond theme, 'Thunderball'. Meanwhile, Basement Jaxx – formed of Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe – recently announced their return to live shows, having DJ'd in headline performances at festivals and events around the world for the past 10 years. Sugababes rose to fame in 1998 with hit songs including 'Round Round', 'Push the Button', 'Freak Like Me' and 'About You Now'. In a statement, the group said: 'We're so excited to headline Camp Bestival this summer. We've always heard amazing things about this festival in particular, so [we're] looking forward to seeing everyone there!' Announcing the lineup, curator Rob da Bank commented: 'In over 20 years of booking Bestival and Camp Bestival we've always wanted to have Sir Tom Jones gracing our stage, and finally the man himself has agreed to belt out 'Delilah' for us! '[Creative director Josie da Bank] and I have been mates with Basement Jaxx since they started, and we think they're the best live dance act so get ready for the most colourful show of the year… Sugababes will be one hell of a party.' He continued: 'As ever it's not all about the headliners and I think we've got our strongest DJ lineup ever – from Annie Mac to Erol Alkan, Congo Natty to Greg Wilson plus some of the best live acts: The Zutons, Lightning Seeds… Goldie with his drum and bass attack live, plus a family knees up with Barrioke, Mr Tumble, Horrible Histories and Dick and Dom… and that's barely scratching the surface.' The Independent announced its exclusive news partnership with Camp Bestival last month, bringing readers a mix of exclusive news, updates and offers ahead of the event. Camp Bestival takes place from 31 July to 3 August at Lulworth Castle on Dorset's Jurassic Coast. Tickets go on general sale at 9am on 14 February, while an exclusive pre-sale for Three customers will be available via the Three+ rewards app from 9am on Wednesday 12 February.
