Camp Bestival and Beautiful Days are both festivals that run in the South West of England during the Summer months. They’re great fun, full of music, food and frivolity. But did you know that you can not only take your kids along, but have a great time with them there too?
Read our guide to these two festivals and why they should be top of your family hit list.
Bestival
2019 Dates: 26 Jul 2019 – 29 Jul 2019
Address: East Lulworth, Wareham BH20 5QQ
http://www.bestival.net/
At Bestival this year, there really was something for every member of the family. The line up included Simple Minds and Rick Astley, clean Bandit and a DJ set by Fearne Cotton, all alongside Mr Tumble and ZSL London Zoo.
Bestival prides itself for having acts that appeal to adults, teenagers and kids. By having more than just music, like plays and spoken word sets for instance, Bestival attracts people from all walks of life so that the atmosphere is familial and fun.
Set against the backdrop of Lulworth Castle, camping here is great fun and part of the whole Bestival experience. Families on a tight budget can save money by bringing their own food and drink to make in their temporary home, which the younger kids will find an activity itself. That being said – be wary of bringing everything including the kitchen sink with you as walks from the car park to the campsite can be long. Especially with little legs in tow.
Tickets for next Summer’s Bestival cost £170 for adults. Children’s tickets are graduated from free for babes in arms up to £108 for teenages.
Beautiful Days
2019 Dates: 16 Aug 2019 – 19 Aug 2019
Address: Escot Park, Nr Fairmile, Devon EX14 3AZ
http://www.beautifuldays.org/
This gem of a festival set in Escot Park Devon is a must do for families. The musical line up is eclectic enough to keep clans with diverse tastes amused but there is so much more to Beautiful Days than just the musical talent.
Areas include a huge children’s area, comedy sets, first class theatre productions, camping sites set up to help families and a whole host of different food and craft stalls. This all adds up to the multi award winning festival that has been running for 16 years now. Remarkably, it has remained fairly moderate in size which makes it far less intimidating for novices, especially those with families with young children, to attend.
2018 saw the Manic Street Preachers and Feeder head line so there are no shortage of names at this under the radar must see event. Plus the annual fancy dress competition is a great opportunity for the whole family to get involved and show their creative side.
Adult tickets, with camping, start at £142.50 and kids tickets range from £40 to £70 for the weekend.
We would definitely recommend either one, or both of these festivals, as somewhere to head if you are planning a staycation next Summer – or if you are struggling to find holidays that appeal to all the members of your family.