The best UK family festivals this summer
Published 21st Jun 2017
Finding a festival that the parents and kids can enjoy is usually quite tricky, but whether you’re seasoned festival-goers or first-timers, this year there are plenty of family festivals to choose from. 2017 has presented many old and new festivals tempting to the whole family. Our list consists of top music acts and fantastic children’s entertainment; events for foodies, drink lovers and plenty of camping and glamping options.
When and where: 27 – 30 July, Lulworth Castle, Dorset.
The first one on our best family festivals is Camp Bestival. Camp Bestival has won ‘Best Family Event’ at the UK Festival awards on a numerous occasions, and we consider it a must for children and adults of all ages! A variation of music, arts and creativity, Camp Bestival prides itself on blending kid’s and adults’ experiences through live theatre, poetry and a diverse musical line-up.
Headliners and activities: Mark Ronson, Brian Wilson, All Saints, Mr Tumble (from Cbeebies).
campbestival.net
When and where: 27 – 30 July, Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire.
It’s Standon’s 12th birthday this year, with a spectacular line up which includes Orbital and Clean Bandit. Based at a scenic location which is easy to get to from London, there are dedicated kids’ and family spaces making this a great choice for those with young ones. There is also a wide selection of on-site glamping and hotel packages available. Horrible Histories will open the main stage, and attractions include a swimming pool and the Standon Calling Dog Show.
Headliners and activities: Orbital, Clean Bandit, Grace Jones and Horrible Histories.
standon-calling.com
When and where: 17 – 20 August, Brecon Beacons, Wales.
Located in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, there’s 99 varieties of local beers and ciders on offer for the parents, and plenty of interactive workshops and performances for the kids. This year there is a strong folk-led line-up across the comedy and theatre. This is a great place for your little ones to let their imaginations run wild with all sorts of magical games and workshops.
Headliners and activities: Belle and Sebastian, James Blake, Laura Marling, Floating Points, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and his friends.
greenman.net
When and where: 24 – 27 August, Northamptonshire.
Shambala is a place to play, revitalise, and make lots of new friends. Families are more than welcome to join in at this creative and magical festival based in the fields of Northamptonshire. As the winner of the Festival Kidz ‘festival of the year’ in 2013, Shambala dedicates camping space, a family yurt telling bedtime stories, and endless kids activities and adventures to the little ones. The kids’ activities run all day in the family area Playtopia, but there are many other family friendly areas to explore. Remember not to forget your fancy dress!
Headliners and activities: Clap! Clap!, Hot 8 Brass Band, Honeyfeet, Owen Shiers, sandpits, craft workshops.
shambalafestival.org
When and where: 13 – 16 July, Southwold, Suffolk.
This list of the best family festivals wouldn't be complete without Latitude festival. Latitude Festival is a chilled celebration of ambient, pop, electro and indie, with environmentally conscious overtones. Latitude is a visual, physical and musical adventure. Deep in the magical forests, there is a journey of eclectic music, theatre, film and creative arts. It’s perfect for every member of the family. The festival also previously won ‘best family day out’. There is the Latitude Lake – a kids’ area with fire shows, pizza-making and a host of science experiments.
Headliners and activities: The 1975, Mumford and Sons, Fleet Foxes, Dara O Briain, Brian Cox lecture.
Latitudefestival.com
When and where: 18 – 20 August, Escot Park, Devon.
Beautiful Days is a good option for first-time festival goers. It is a small but increasingly popular festival with free kids activities and overwhelming feeling of safety because it isn’t too busy.
Headliners and activities: Frank Turner, Levellers, Sisters of Mercy, Alison Moyet and interactive workshops, rides and storytelling.
beautifuldays.org
When and where: 27 – 30 July, Lowther Deer Park, Cumbria.
Kendall calling is an award-winning and innovative festival based in the Lake district. It has a great family atmosphere of intimacy. You’ll find pioneering contemporary music and art alongside traditional rural entertainment. There is an abundance of family friendly entertainment for mini Kendal Callers!
Headliners and activities: Stereophonics, Franz Ferdinand, Tinie Tempah, Brian Wilson, Mike Skinner.
Kendalcalling.co.uk
There are so many family festivals to choose from this summer but whichever one you decide to go to this summer, we can arrange all the travel. You will be able to relax properly and enjoy both journeys with your family and friends. We have a large range of vehicles with 8 to 75 seats and everything in between of course. Our vehicles also come in different classes, so if you wanted to you could travel in a luxury minibus or coach.
Come find out what SMC Coach Hire can do for you by filling in an online enquiry form today.
Camp Bestival
When and where: 27 – 30 July, Lulworth Castle, Dorset.
The first one on our best family festivals is Camp Bestival. Camp Bestival has won ‘Best Family Event’ at the UK Festival awards on a numerous occasions, and we consider it a must for children and adults of all ages! A variation of music, arts and creativity, Camp Bestival prides itself on blending kid’s and adults’ experiences through live theatre, poetry and a diverse musical line-up.
Headliners and activities: Mark Ronson, Brian Wilson, All Saints, Mr Tumble (from Cbeebies).
campbestival.net
Standon Calling
When and where: 27 – 30 July, Standon Lordship, Hertfordshire.
It’s Standon’s 12th birthday this year, with a spectacular line up which includes Orbital and Clean Bandit. Based at a scenic location which is easy to get to from London, there are dedicated kids’ and family spaces making this a great choice for those with young ones. There is also a wide selection of on-site glamping and hotel packages available. Horrible Histories will open the main stage, and attractions include a swimming pool and the Standon Calling Dog Show.
Headliners and activities: Orbital, Clean Bandit, Grace Jones and Horrible Histories.
standon-calling.com
Green Man Festival
When and where: 17 – 20 August, Brecon Beacons, Wales.
Located in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, there’s 99 varieties of local beers and ciders on offer for the parents, and plenty of interactive workshops and performances for the kids. This year there is a strong folk-led line-up across the comedy and theatre. This is a great place for your little ones to let their imaginations run wild with all sorts of magical games and workshops.
Headliners and activities: Belle and Sebastian, James Blake, Laura Marling, Floating Points, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter and his friends.
greenman.net
Shambala
When and where: 24 – 27 August, Northamptonshire.
Shambala is a place to play, revitalise, and make lots of new friends. Families are more than welcome to join in at this creative and magical festival based in the fields of Northamptonshire. As the winner of the Festival Kidz ‘festival of the year’ in 2013, Shambala dedicates camping space, a family yurt telling bedtime stories, and endless kids activities and adventures to the little ones. The kids’ activities run all day in the family area Playtopia, but there are many other family friendly areas to explore. Remember not to forget your fancy dress!
Headliners and activities: Clap! Clap!, Hot 8 Brass Band, Honeyfeet, Owen Shiers, sandpits, craft workshops.
shambalafestival.org
Latitude
When and where: 13 – 16 July, Southwold, Suffolk.
This list of the best family festivals wouldn't be complete without Latitude festival. Latitude Festival is a chilled celebration of ambient, pop, electro and indie, with environmentally conscious overtones. Latitude is a visual, physical and musical adventure. Deep in the magical forests, there is a journey of eclectic music, theatre, film and creative arts. It’s perfect for every member of the family. The festival also previously won ‘best family day out’. There is the Latitude Lake – a kids’ area with fire shows, pizza-making and a host of science experiments.
Headliners and activities: The 1975, Mumford and Sons, Fleet Foxes, Dara O Briain, Brian Cox lecture.
Latitudefestival.com
Beautiful Days
When and where: 18 – 20 August, Escot Park, Devon.
Beautiful Days is a good option for first-time festival goers. It is a small but increasingly popular festival with free kids activities and overwhelming feeling of safety because it isn’t too busy.
Headliners and activities: Frank Turner, Levellers, Sisters of Mercy, Alison Moyet and interactive workshops, rides and storytelling.
beautifuldays.org
Kendal Calling
When and where: 27 – 30 July, Lowther Deer Park, Cumbria.
Kendall calling is an award-winning and innovative festival based in the Lake district. It has a great family atmosphere of intimacy. You’ll find pioneering contemporary music and art alongside traditional rural entertainment. There is an abundance of family friendly entertainment for mini Kendal Callers!
Headliners and activities: Stereophonics, Franz Ferdinand, Tinie Tempah, Brian Wilson, Mike Skinner.
Kendalcalling.co.uk
There are so many family festivals to choose from this summer but whichever one you decide to go to this summer, we can arrange all the travel. You will be able to relax properly and enjoy both journeys with your family and friends. We have a large range of vehicles with 8 to 75 seats and everything in between of course. Our vehicles also come in different classes, so if you wanted to you could travel in a luxury minibus or coach.
Come find out what SMC Coach Hire can do for you by filling in an online enquiry form today.