Family Festival - The Survival Guide

Festivals Feature

Family Festivals The Survival Guide

Here in the UK, there is a plethora of family-friendly festivals you can visit. Claire Winter asked Families ® Magazine readers to give their top tips on how to survive one!

Whether you opt for The Little Welly,

Royal County of Berkshire Show,

Camp Bestival or one of the boutique options, festivals offer oodles of fun for the whole family. However, a recurring theme when talking to readers is to be prepared! You never know what the great British weather or your kids (only joking) will throw at you...

Pack Layers It’s always helpful to bring shorts, t-shirts and even swimwear to a festival but you are also going to need jumpers, woolly hats and maybe even onesies. It can get very cold at night even in the summer. Lightweight waterproof jackets are also a good option. You can carry them with you in case it rains and also use them as an extra layer if it gets cold.

Bring Lots (and Lots) of Snacks Breadsticks, rice cakes, dried fruit, and nuts, you know the drill! Kids are always hungry and buying food on site can get expensive for a whole family. I would budget for buying some meals at the festival and doing some cooking at the campsite. Pasta with a variety of sauces is always an easy option!

Don’t Forget the Sunscreen and Hats You are going to be outdoors a lot – you can get sunburnt even if it is cloudy.

Stay Hydrated Make sure the kids have their own water bottle. A rucksack or a bum bag to carry their water and money in is also a good idea. Most festivals have water points where you can refill water bottles.

Don’t Forget to Unplug Leave expensive gadgets at home. They are hard to keep secure and the whole idea is to get your kids off their devices. Mobile phones and battery chargers will be needed so you can stay in touch. We all love to document how much fun we are having – but keep some of it as memories instead of sharing it on Instagram or Facebook!

Go with the Flow If you are a neat freak and like a schedule, this is the time to let it all hang out. There is no routine; your children will be filthy and running around in a onesie, wellies, and an Indian headdress. Wet wipes and fancy dress items are also essentials didn’t you know? Enjoy the fun and embrace the festival vibes!

Here is some more advice from our readers:

Festival convert Pernilla says: “Get a proper canvas tent! I love our bell tent. Even wet camping is fine in it. I was a very reluctant camper due to the whole ‘tent wet on the inside’ thing until I was introduced to canvas.”

Cath says make sure you are easy to find. “The best thing we bought was a windsock flag on a telescopic pole so the kids could go off but locate our camp easily.”

Avid festival goer Julia from www.concertini.co.uk says: "My festival essentials are a wine cooler bag, non-spillable wine glasses, solar lights, table, chairs, and a picnic or tent rug! Also, don’t make the rookie mistake of pitching up near the toilets. Those banging doors will keep you up ALL night.”

Henley Festival

And the advice of a festival expert – Little Welly organiser, Tracey Beard, says: “Festivals are a great place to lose things (sunglasses, a jacket!) so my advice is don’t wear your best clothes or favourite sneakers - festivals are often wet and muddy or dry and dusty and you want to relax and have fun and not be thinking about keeping your new shoes clean!”

24 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire familiesonline.co.uk

The Little Welly

Please share some of your top festival tips with us on Facebook: @familiesthamesvalleywest

Check out our pick of the best Family Festivals of 2019 in the South of the country

The Little Welly, Henley-on-Thames 8 and 9 June The UK’s biggest obstacle course for children. The 3km course will feature 30 big challenges across the beautiful Culden Faw estate. It makes use of the natural aspects of the terrain, including the river and woodland. As well as adding some exciting new obstacles to old favourites, the Festival Village is better than ever, including a new and improved music stage, and a challenge for the most intrepid - ‘The Cave’. More info at thelittlewelly.co.uk

Around the Boundary, South Oxfordshire 5 May The Around The Boundary boutique charity festival returns with more fantastic live music, kids entertainment, the best local food, some of the UK’s finest food trucks, a coffee roaster, and local breweries. Big kids and little ones will find fun and games galore with an actionpacked family programme of activities, including drumming and circus skills workshops, storytellers, arts and crafts, bubble shows and a vintage fayre. aroundtheboundary.com

The Henley Festival 10-14 July Henley Festival, the UK’s most glamorous intimate festival, is the UK’s only black-tie festival, offering Michelin-starred food, awardwinning comedians, and critically acclaimed musicians. Family Sunday offers balloon making, glitter tattoos, music lessons, comedy for kids, toddler disco, choir performances. Comedian Murray Lachlan-Young will also be bringing his special performance of Modern Cautionary Tales for Children to Henley and Turn Around Theatre will be presenting the tale of The Thief, Fox and The Phoenix at the festival. henley-festival.co.uk

Wynchwood Festival, Cheltenham 31 May - 2 June A firm favourite on the festival circuit and consistently voted ‘Best Family Festival’ in the UK Festival awards. Headline acts include The Stranglers and Scouting for Girls. The festival is celebrating its 15th birthday and they’re promising that it’s going to be a corker! More info at wychwoodfestival.com

Latitude Festival, Southwold July 18-21 Laid back Latitude has a great line up this year that will appeal to all generations. Highlights

include headliners George Ezra, Lana Del Rey, and Snow Patrol. Plus Neneh Cherry and Sigrid are on the bill too. There are lots of familyfriendly activities to enjoy like interactive theatre, woodland fun and lake swimming. Don’t forget to check out the pink sheep! More info at latitudefestival.com

Camp Bestival, Dorset 25-28 July For many, Camp Bestival is the holy grail of family festivals and is famous for its annual fancy dress theme. This year it is heroes versus superheroes. There is always an amazing amount of fun to be had and exciting things to do. Run by Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank, it is the sister festival to Bestival. Headliners include Nile Rodgers & Chic and Jess Glynne. More info at campbestival.net

Wilderness Festival, Cornbury 1- 4 August A popular boutique festival set in the countryside in Cornbury, Oxfordshire. Every year they promise great music, delicious food, art, and a Champagne garden darling! They even have a Wilderness Spa and boating lake. More info at wildernessfestival.com

familiesonline.co.ukEmail: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

Families Thames Valley West • 25

What’s On May-June 2019

The Little Welly

NATIONAL TRUST

BASILDON PARK, Lower Basildon, RG8 9NR, 0118 984 3040 20 May – 20 Sep WILD PLAY TRAIL 2019 UPGRADE Discover the Wild Play Trail with more play stations, wild art making, and a new area for little ones, with ball run stations. Trail leaflet £1 25 May – 2 Jun MAY HALF-TERM TRAIL Bring the whole family along and adventure through the parkland to discover clues and win a prize. £2 CLIVEDEN, nr Taplow, SL1 8NS, 01628 605069 25 May – 2 Jun MAY HALF-TERM TRAIL Sports-themed trail which ends with making a craft to take home. Trail £2. 10am-2.30pm 27 & 28 May TREE CLIMBING Tree climbing experts will teach children how to safely scale a woodland canopy. Child £25, book: 0344 249 1895 HUGHENDEN, nr High Wycombe, HP14 4LA, 01494 755 573, nationaltrust.org.uk/Hughenden 27 – 31 May MAY HALF-TERM: BEE TRAIL Take on Beatrice Bee’s trail among the garden blooms and orchard blossoms to find the bee hives. Trail £2 29 May JUNIOR RANGERS: TRAIL TRACKERS Track your way around Hughenden’s parkland using a map and compass with our friendly rangers. £4, book online. 10.30am-4pm

30 May THE GREAT BIG TREE CLIMB Join expert instructors for an adventure into the canopy of a giant chestnut. £20, book: bigtreeclimbing.co.uk. 10am-5pm 15 & 16 Jun FATHER’S DAY Treat the dads in your life to a day out in the countryside with a BBQ lunch and artisan market stalls. WADDESDON MANOR, nr Aylesbury, HP18 0JH, 01296 820 414 25 May – 2 Jun MAY HALF TERM: COLOURSCAPE Enter a labyrinth of light, colour and sound. Adult £5, child £3 From 21 Jun MID-SUMMER MAZE Maze mown into the lawn THE VYNE, Near Basingstoke, RG24 9HL, 01256 883858 Daily until Sun 29 Sep GEOCACHING: THE LOST TOYS Can you help find four ‘lost’ Victorian toys hidden in the woods? Use a trail sheet from Visitor Reception or the Geocaching® app to locate the caches. 10am-4.30pm Daily until 29 Sep DRESS LIKE A VICTORIAN Try on Victorian costumes in the Housekeeper’s Room. 12-4pm 3 Jun – 29 Sep VICTORIAN CHILDREN’S PLAY TRAIL Pick up your trail sheet from Visitor Reception and discover how Victorian children played outdoors. Suggested donation £1 per trail sheet. 10am-4.30pm

ONGOING EVENTS

THE LOOK OUT DISCOVERY CENTRE, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7QW, 01344 354 4000, bracknellforest.gov.uk/thelookoutdiscoverycentre There are over 90 hands-on science activities for children of all ages to enjoy at The Look Out Discovery Centre. You can launch a hydrogen rocket, play with boats in the indoor stream or build a house with your friends. Activities and exhibits are organised in ‘zones’ which correspond with what your child may be learning about in school: Forces & Movement, Body & Perception, Light & Colour, Woodland & Water and Build It where you can use the rubble chute, wheelbarrows, design a house or drive a dumper truck. Open daily from 10am-5pm. Until 7 Jul TOY BOx ExPLORERS This fun show looks at the science behind toys. Come and help our presenter play with the toys to find out how they work! Show times at weekends and Bracknell Forest school holidays:11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3.15pm. Cost £1.95 in addition to entry price. No need to book – just buy show tickets at reception on the day. Suitable for primary school-aged children Weekly TAYLOR TUGS UNDER 5S CLUB, River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames Wednesdays, term time, 10-11.30am pre booked, call 01491 415605 to find out more. 3-4pm drop in, £3 per child. Enjoy fun, interactive structured

26 • Henley • Reading • Wokingham • Bracknell • Newbury • West Berkshire familiesonline.co.uk

sessions for you and your little one, with craft, stories and songs. Themes and activities change weekly. Age 18 months – 5 yrs Weekly FRIDAY FLEDGLINGS at The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL), University of Reading, Redlands Road, Reading, RG1 5Ex, 0118 378 8660, merl.reading.ac.uk A weekly outdoor session for the under 5’s in the urban garden at the MERL and inspired by the themes and collections in the museum. Each session involves story-telling, craft activities and singing. £4 per child (includes a snack and a drink). 10am-11.30am, term time only. Weekly BIG SCREAM CLUB, TODDLER TIME AND KIDS CLUBS at The Regal Picturehouse, Boroma Way, Henley, RG9 2BZ, 0871 902 5738, picturehouses.com Runs on Fridays at 11am exclusively for parents with babies under 1 year so you can catch up on the latest film releases. Toddler Time on Tuesdays at 11am offers special 30 minute shows designed to introduce little ones to the big screen, followed by fun activities. For the older ones, there’s Kids Club every Saturday showing a classic film at 11am plus pre-screening activities. Weekly TALES FOR TOTS – STORY TIME FOR THE UNDER 5’S at Reading Museum, The Town Hall, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QU, 0118 937 3400, readingmuseum.org Enjoy a story using objects from the Museum’s collection. Every Wednesday at 10.30-11.30am in The Green Space or Window Gallery. Free, drop in. Weekly The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, 0845 521 8218, cornexchangenew.com RHYME & SHINE, Tuesdays, 10.15-11am or 11.30am-12.15pm, £3.50 Suitable for parents with babies 2 and under. A relaxed singing session with a range of songs, rhymes and rhythms in a fun and relaxed environment. MINI MAESTROS, Friday mornings Relaxed, friendly classes led by professional musicians from Berkshire Maestros who play real instruments. ‘Mini Maestros’ (and their grown-ups) will sing fun action songs, play percussion instruments, dance with colourful scarves, and have a wonderful introduction to musical experiences together. Separate sessions for babies, and 18 months to five years. Weekly RHYME TIME at Reading Central Library, Abbey Square, Reading, RG1 3BQ Rhyme Time every Monday (except bank holidays), Thursday and Saturday 10.30am-11am. No need to book, just drop in. FREE. Weekly LEGO CLUB at Winnersh Library, The Forest School, Robin Hood Lane, Winnersh, RG41 5ND, 0118 979 7519, wokingham.gov.uk/libraries Every Thursday during term time for children aged 5-10 years. 4pm-4.45pm, 50p. Places must be booked in advance.

Weekly STORY TIME at Caversham Library, Church Street, Caversham, RG4 8AU An experienced storyteller will bring stories to life for the Under 5’s every Thursday (2-2.30pm) during term time. Sessions must be booked in advance via the library. Weekly TODDLER CRAFT at Southcote Library, Southcote Lane, RG30 3BA, 0118 901 5109 A free craft session every Friday for the Under 5’s from 11am-11.30am Monthly NATURE ExPLORERS at The Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3FU, 01635 874 381, bbowt.org.uk A great opportunity each month for parents and their preschoolers to have fun in the beautiful woodland, meadow or orchard. Each session will include activities such as bug hunts, mud kitchens, crafts and nature discovery. Tea, biscuits and mud provided! Booking essential. Thursdays 10-11.30am or 12.30-2pm. £7 Twice a month STAY AND PLAY at The Abbey Nursery, 30 Christchurch Road, Reading, RG2 7AR, 0118 931 3111, theabbey.co.uk Held twice a month, the sessions offer you and your toddler a safe and stimulating environment to make friends and enjoy learning through play. Inspiring creative and imaginative play and encouraging your child’s natural curiosity is central to The Abbey’s learning ethos. Children can explore the Nursery garden and play with a range of toys, dressing up, science and role play equipment as well as take part in activities such as art, cooking, music and movement as they find out about the theme for the month. Limited places, call 0118 987 2256 to reserve your space. Dates for May and June: 2 and 15 May, 6 and 19 June.

MAY

2 May BLAZE’S BUDDIES, West Berkshire Museum, The Wharf, Newbury RG14 5AS Come and meet Blaze, the museum dragon, and join in with an action poem, story, simple craft, treasure hunt and sing-a-long! The session closes with a hunt to find a museum object or a sing-along. The theme this month is rabbits and hares. 11.00-11.30am (FREE) 3-19 May DORCHESTER FOOD FESTIVAL, Dorchester Abbey, South Oxon The biennial Dorchester-on-Thames Festival is one of Oxfordshire’s leading festivals based in the stunning location of Dorchester Abbey. Includes a fun cookery workshops for children with Mrs Bun the Baker on Sunday 12th. dorchesterfestival.com 4 May POP-UP PLAY VILLAGE, The Acland Memorial Hall, Hermitage Road, Cold Ash, Berkshire RG18 This is a special event featuring Thembi from Imagine More who will be leading a 30 minute storytelling session followed by an hour to play in the farm-themed Pop-Up Play Village. Adults and prewalkers are free with a child ticket! 10- 11.30am. More information and book at popupplayvillage.co.uk

What’s On

4 May TWIRLYWOOS LIVE, South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA From the producers of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show and Sarah and Duck Live on Stage comes another enchanting show for young audiences. Expect mischief, music and plenty of surprises as the Twirlywoos share the delight of discovery. For ages 1+ but fine for younger children too. 2pm. Price: £14, child £12, family of four £46 4 May DAD AND BABY RHYMETIME, Wokingham Library, Denmark St, RG40 2BB Fun rhymes for babies and dads. Free, just drop in! 10-10.30am. 4-6 May BOUNCY CASTLES IN THE PARK, Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road, Riseley, Reading, RG7 1SP, 0118 932 6444, wellingtoncountry-park.co.uk The bank holiday weekend is here! Adding a little extra to your visit to the Park, come and bounce away the weekend with a whole host of different bouncy castles for all ages to enjoy. 10.30am – 4.30pm. 5 May and 2 June PUBLIC RUNNING DAYS, Prospect Park Miniature Railway 82 Bath Road, Reading, Berkshire, RG30 2BE Monthly public running afternoon and trains should be on track from around 1pm until 4pm (weather permitting). Everybody welcome, plenty of refreshments available and tickets remain at 60p per ride OR ten rides for £5. Free parking - use the entrance off the Bath Road. 5 May AROUND THE BOUNDARY, Gallowstree Common, South Oxon, RG4 9BU This boutique day festival returns with more fantastic live music, kids entertainment, the best local food, some of the UK’s finest food trucks, a coffee roaster, local breweries and a bar brimming with local liquor, brilliant beer & wonderful wine. Big kids and little ones will find fun and games galore with an action-packed family programme of activities. 11am - 11pm. Adult £20, child £7.50, family ticket £45. 6 May CRAFTY CRAFT RACE 2019, Newbury, West Berkshire Newbury's colourful, community and fundraising event, including a charity fete in Victoria Park. The race begins in Kintbury, travelling lock by lock back to Newbury. 9 May POP UP PLAY VILLAGE, Goring Village Hall, High Street, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire RG8 9AG The dinosaurs are back in the Pop-Up Play Village. Due to popular demand, T Rex and his friends will be hiding in the construction site, getting their claws sharpened at the vets and digging their teeth into some tasty snacks in our café. Sessions are aimed at children from 0-8 years old but all dinosaur fans are welcome. 10-11.15am. More information and book at popupplayvillage.co.uk 11 May MUM 2 MUM NEARLY NEW MARKET, Catholic Hall, Thatcham Mum2mum market hold regular nearly new baby and children's markets at fantastic indoor venues. 2-4pm. Admission is £2 on the door for buyers - kids free.

familiesonline.co.ukEmail: editor@familiestvw.co.uk • Tel: 07968 711937

Families Thames Valley West • 27