Drop in, chill out
Geronimo, Arley Hall, Northwich, Cheshire, August 26-29
They call it Glastonbury for under-13s and on the bill this year are tween idols Sam and Mark from CBBC’s Big Friday Wind-Up, street dancer Junior Frood and family singalong sensations Johnny & the Raindrops.
They really have thought of everything any kid could possibly be into here – take your pick from monster trucks, the world’s biggest bouncy castle, cardboard city, wand workshop, doll’s head world, pirates, axe-throwing and ferrets!
Day tickets from £20, weekend £55, geronimofest.com/arleyhall-tickets £70 for three nights for a tent or campervan pitch, readyerected bell tents from £250. festivalofsportuk.com
The Big Retreat Festival, Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, Wales, June 3-6
The ultimate feel-good festival. Spend three days relaxing, reflecting and rebuilding with bands, books, fitness, yoga, meditation, food and family fun against a backdrop of inspiring Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Try the latest trends in wellness, movement and mindfulness, or just sit back, enjoy the green surroundings and hit the gin and tonics.
Join the one and only Mr Motivator for an unforgettable workout or have a laugh with comedy duo Scummy
Mummies.
By night, rock out with headline bands including Reef and Toploader and DJ Huey Morgan.
■■ From £169 weekend/£60 daily. thebigretreatfestival.com
Green Gathering, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, August 4-7
An interactive showcase of skill sharing, creative solutions and off-grid living... all powered by wind, sun, people and passion. For those who love the Earth enough to save it, it’s a place to party, then wake and put the world to rights.
The festival is held in the grounds of Piercefield House, a dilapidated neoclassical mansion on the outskirts of Chepstow with spectacular views across the Severn Estuary and Wye Valley. Authentically uncommercial.
Adults £120, 16-17 £80, 11-15 £55, six-10 £20, under six free, including camping. greengathering.org.uk
Wavelength Spring Classic, Woolacombe Bay, North Devon, May 27-30
Celebrating live music, surf, skate, ride and van culture, this is the weekend to be by the sea.
The festival will showcase a range of high-profile acts alongside local musicians, live fire cooking feasts and demos, as well as a
“show and shine” arena for those van and motor lovers. During the day, visitors can enjoy the surfing competition, skating demos,
nature trails and kids’ activities. . ■■ Weekend camping £140 adults, teens £97.50, juniors £57.50, under six free. Non-camping, adults £105, teens £62.50, juniors, £40, under six free. springclassic.co.uk/tickets
Crick Boat Show and Inland Waterways Festival, Crick Marina, near Daventry, Northamptonshire, June 3-5
Bringing together 25,000 people from the inland waterways community, this boating bonanza is the focus of the year for those passionate about canals and rivers. Boats are the big thing, but there’s a festival atmosphere with 15 live music acts in the Wheatsheaf Marquee from noon, real ale, free boat trips, food and drink stalls and camping.
■■ Adults from £15.30, under-16s free. Camping from £45 per night, moorings from £1.35 per foot of boat, crickboatshow.com
Rock Oyster Festival, Rock, Cornwall, July 29-31
Indulge in a feast of food and music overlooking the gorgeous Camel Estuary and Padstow.
Chef Jack Stein will host cookery demos and tastings at Dinham House near Rock, with Gizzi Erskine, Rosemary Shrager, Romy Gill and Jack’s chef dad Rick. Head to the tipis for some samples, or join in with yoga, surf, coasteering, foraging walks and tie-dye workshops. Music from Laura Mvula, Happy Mondays, Passenger and Grandmaster Flash.
■■ Adult weekend camping £129, teens £79, under-12s £35, under fives free. rockoysterfestival.co.uk