Top 9 UK family festivals 2019

Comedy, medieval axe-throwing and Peppa Pig all feature in our roundup of this summer’s top family-friendly festivals.

By Maria Pieri
Published 13 Jun 2019, 08:00 BST
Families at Just So Festival
Port Eliot Festival.
Photograph by Louise Roberts

25-28 July
Port Eliot Festival, Cornwall

You’ll have a hard time choosing between all the workshops, storybook readings, talks, treasure hunts, archery, aerial silks, kayaking and a whole lot more at this colourful celebration chock-full of family fun.

26-28 July 
Deer Shed Festival, North Yorkshire

Expect everything from wellness programmes to art workshops, plus plenty of live music, at this eclectic event in Baldersby Park. This year promises its biggest comedy line-up yet, with Reginald D. Hunter and Nina Conti among the stars due to perform.

26-28 July 
Chilled in a Field, East Sussex

Aimed at ‘grown-up party people and their kids’, this independent festival held at Bentley Estate brings together bands, artists, science, theatre and plenty of dance music. Run entirely by volunteers, it’s a real labour of love. 

16-18 August
Just So Festival, Cheshire 

Pitch a tent in the grounds of Rode Hall for a weekend-long celebration of art, literature and music. Catch a play by moonlight in the Spellbound Forest, relax in the tranquil Peekaboo Garden or get your groove on in the Flamingo Lounge.

23-25 August
The Big Feastival, Cotswolds

This is family-friendly at its very best, with the likes of Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol’s Chase and Marshall appearing alongside music stars including Rudimental, Elbow and Jess Glynne. There’ll also be plenty of food demos, pop-up restaurants and a supper club to keep you satisfied. 

24-26 August
England’s Medieval Festival, East Sussex

Step back in time at Herstmonceux Castle:  watch knights jousting, try your hand at axe-throwing and join a torch-lit procession. Why not make a night of it with a spot of medieval glamping? 

Three free festivals

6-7 July
Stratford-upon-avon River Festival

Shakespeare’s hometown will be awash with river flotillas and a crop of artisan markets at this free event. Expect live music and dance performances, plus local ales and Pimm’s for the grown-ups. 

19-21 July
Bristol Harbour Festival

More than 250,000 people will flock to the city’s buzzing waterfront for a weekend of comedy acts, live music, circus performers and arts and crafts. 

26-28 July
Scarborough Seafest Maritime Festival 

This free festival celebrates Yorkshire’s maritime heritage with street food stalls, live cookery demos and a choice of more than 40 local real ales, beers and ciders. 

Published in the Jul/Aug 2019 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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