By Annabel Middleton
There are many things that change with the dawn of parenthood; you start going to the toilet with an audience, you leave the house with an array of bodily fluids encrusted into your clothing and you wave goodbye to long weekends spent in a debauched haze at the myriad festivals on offer every summer.
This is one of the bits that my partner struggles with most.
He was very pleased then to discover that there may be a way to recapture some of the fun of festivals past, maybe with less debauchery but still music, food and the occasional beer – the glorious annual Wychwood festival.
Known for its super friendly atmosphere and nominated for ‘best family festival’ every year since it began, Wychwood festival is the top destination for those with children still wanting to sample some festival festivities. Celebrating their 10th birthday, their 2014 line-up will be the biggest and best yet.
There is much excitement in our household as come 30th May this year we will be finding out for ourselves and packing our backpacks, rolling our sleeping bags and stocking up on wet-wipes to make our way to Cheltenham Racecourse for a weekend of frolics. Fulfilling the cliché ‘something for everyone’ there will be over 100 bands over four stages partnered with many different and far-ranging workshops, performances and activities to entertain and excite all family members.
Have a go at mastering circus skills, sit back and enjoy a new and exciting mime show in the family theatre or take up a new skill such as harp playing.
(Doesn’t everyone secretly want to play the harp?)
“Mr Tumble is going to be there?!?!” says my son, barely able to contain his shock that cbeebies characters can escape from the television and make it out into the real world. We are flicking through the Wychwood festival line-up and he spies children’s favourite Justin Fletcher, who is going to be providing some of the younger audience’s entertainment perhaps with his red-nosed, freckled (slightly unnerving, in my opinion) alter-ego Mr Tumble making an appearance.
As if that was not enough, Waterstones will be providing a children’s literature festival covering the whole weekend with favourite authors and illustrators. Roald Dahl stories will be brought to life by the performers from the Roald Dahl Museum; who will also be celebrating fifty years of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with crafts and interactive parades.
There promises to be more chances to unleash younger artists with many craft workshops across the whole weekend, from withy weaving to local organisation ‘Squiggle ‘n’ Jiggle’ (I promise it is child-friendly) who make exciting things from ordinary recycling.
To top things off, there will be a Bubble Show from, what I think will become my personal favourite, Sam Sam the Bubble Man-the most famous bubbleologist in the world (if only I had known that was an option in careers guidance at school). Then to help tire them out so they sleep well in the tent, there are dance and movement sessions to burn off energy.
For the grown-ups there will be plenty of great bands, incorporating soul with The Real Thing, new wave Irish legends, The Boomtown Rats and acoustic mastery with Newton Falkner, plus so many, many more. There will also be more grown-up friendly workshops with crafts to nourish the mind, yoga to nourish the body and delicious food stuffs and satisfying real ales to nourish the stomach.
If you want to be part of the family event of the year then you could come join us! (Don’t worry, you don’t have to actually hang out with us).
To win family tickets (two adults and two children), worth £290, plus camping, simply tick off as many items on the Rafflecopter widget below as possible before midnight on 8th April.
Good luck! Hope to see you there!
Wychwood Festival takes place on Cheltenham Racecourse from 30th May – 1st June 2014. Weekend Festival Tickets for Children/Adults/ Concessions are from £125.00, Under 5’s go free but must register for a ticket. Camping passes must be purchased
in addition to a festival ticket. Visit www.wychwoodfestival.com for further information and to purchase tickets.
Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com
New experiences (I’ve never been to one so would be great to share that with N)
The amazing atmosphere and chilling out listening to the music
the people
The atmosphere and escaping from life for a while.
the collective spirit
My favourite thing is being out in the open air and being at one with the elements.This would be the perfect venue to introduce the kids to festivals and camping!
seeing my boys enjoy themselves on a big adventure away from home
getting muddy and having fun x
Meeting new people and listening to music.
The chance to do something really different with your family and get back to nature a little. We have just done a couple of the small festivals so far, would love to go to Wychwood!
This would be a really exciting trip for us as a family :)
Discovering new bands.
It’s fb to be outdoors enjoying stuff together as a family! x
Love the chilled atmosphere
The chance to chill out and enjoy stuff as a family – hopefully in the sunshine!
Living in a tent, just letting your hair down for once and leave the busy life behind, get lost in the music and the moment
getting away from it all!
Camping!
Spending qualitytime with the ones you love.
Family time
Favourite thing about festivals? hmm chilling out and watching the kids have fun in the open air.
Fantastic atmosphere and (hopefully) lots of sunshine!
The freedom of unstructured days
My favourite thing about festivals is the relaxed atmosphere, being removed from everyday life and discovering new music.
the atmosphere and chilling out.
The music and the atmosphere !
Definitely the atmosphere.
Lots of different things to do in one place
The great atmosphere and having fun with the family
Introducing my stepdaughter to the whole festival experience in a safe and fun atmosphere.
great to have fun and relax with the kids
Freedom!
ive never been to one, so ill have to see!
The chilled out atmosphere
The music in the open air
Loud music, and sunshine. Or loud music, rain and pj bottoms with wellies. Its great that no one cares how you dress, or how muddy you are. I would love my boys to feel thay freedom feeling festivals bring.
teriffic wonderful prize xxxooo
the friendly atmosphere of everyone :)
I have never been to one, so for me it would be all about sharing a new experience with my fsmily, we would enjoy the music, the activities, the atmosphere and being outdoors.
Lovely and local too
Brilliant family festival
Camping, staying up late, knowing the kids aren’t going to be saying their bored every five minutes. I could go on and on
Relaxing and listening to the music
Soaking up the atmosphere with everyone!
I love seeing my kids running around in the open, making lots of friends and doing fun stuff
Meeting different people
The amazing athmosphere and the music
Live music and a great atmosphere. Yes please.
The atmosphere is electric
Thanks for a great post and competition. I am very tempted to go as I have never been to a festival before. Nice to do something that is a first for the whole family.
the music first and everything else a close second
ATMOSPHERE ATMOSPHERE
Nice weather x
The entertainment
The friendliness of strangers :)
The mud !!!
the atmosphere of it all
The atmosphere and hopefully, weather!
the atmosphere!
My first and only festival experience was Wychwood last year, i just loved the friendly atmosphere and how happy everyone is. I met so many lovely people who were happy to help you.
The fact that everyone seems to be a good mood and you are everyone’s friend. People will speak to you whether they know you or not. Makes a nice change from being “invisible” everywhere else.
I like the totally chilled out, friendly atmosphere.
Only been to one and would love to go to another, friendly people, chilled atmosphere and new music
This festival looks amazing, I think my children may pop with excitement if we got to take them there.x.
Never been to a festival so this would be perfect for all the family :)
The chance to chill out and enjoy stuff together as a famo.
Family friendly atmosphere
The kids just love the camping, but I love the atmosphere. Everyone just seems much more happy and friendly at events such as this.
Meeting my other half on the way to glasto is my fav festival memory we have been to at least one every year since including 2 glastnburys while heavily pregnant, it was, erm, interesting!
Well we haven’t ventured to a festival with our two young monsters yet, We use to do Glasto & Reading so as above a very adult weekend. But I love the atmosphere the surprise act you stumble upon that become your fav new band and the summer evenings with friends music and one too many ciders.
well I have never been to a festival, with or without children, other than the one which was held in the field across the road (so we could walk home to our own beds) but I would REALLY like to try, and I think the children would love it.
The atmosphere (NOT the rain!)
Simplicity and child friendliness would be my vote
I could never afford this experience for my 2 kiddies both MUSIC mad! I would love to win to have a fun family adventure :-))
the atmosphere
mucking about with my family
the spirit of the crowd and the atmosphere
The atmosphere and new experiences
Family fun together
Relaxing with nature
The atmosphere and sharing good times with family
Love seeing the kids so relaxed, and finding something for all of us
I love the general feel of a festival, everyone smiling having fun, great music and to take the kids would be extra special.
being out in the open
Chilling out, great atmosphere and making memories.
Drinking outside at midday in charge of the kids. Because everyone else is :)
My favourite thing is the atmosphere. Everyone is there to enjoy themselves!
Having a BBQ with great music playing in the background, great atmosphere and everyone enjoying themselves
I love leaving all my worries at home and watching the world go by for a weekend!
Nice food & music with a bit of sun.
Love the fact its family friendly :)
discovering new bands, food, drink and lots of laughs in the sunshine (or rain)
its great outdoor fun and the kids love camping and the freedom the atmosphere is electric and its a really great fun memory making family experience i would do time and time again
The kids have a great time doing the arts and crafts.
It would be a great deal of fun taking my gran-daughter to her first festival..
I have a secret crush on Mr Tumble. Lol my daughter loves festivals just like mummy ♥
my favourite thing is the atmosphere
Family friendly
The lack of modern technology and hanging out with your favourite people. Leaving your troubles behind and partying like you are 18 again!!! :-)
my favourite thing is 2 days in when you’ve finally settled and lost your city brain and are going with the flow of everything and not trying to schedule everything too rigidly
relaxing, being outdoors with great music
Brilliant family holiday
Its local, and has some great acts
THE FAB atmosphere
There’s something for everyone so the whole family can enjoy it together.
I love the family festivals. We went to Camp Bestival at Lulworth castle last year and had a great time Camping. The best thing was all the variety of entertainment that my boys loved and I have to admit i found it just as much fun.
I love family festivals great atmosphere fun for everyone
Ive heard so many great things about this festival and would love to go
Thet ime spent together, forgetting about the mundane. The atmosphere of everyone else feeling the same!
The atmosphere
The music!
Enjoying the outdoors and atmosphere
The music
Great mix of people.
being with other music lovers
camping and the music
The Atmosphere … and the weird things that happen!
freindly and nice x
The atmosphere
I love that you can take the family, that the kids can be kids, laugh, play and cry safe in the knowledge that as its a family festival you won’t get those disapproving looks from others.
The atmosphere
The amazing atmosphere and chilling out listening to the music, always so relaxing and the kids love it!!!
They are so different to normal everyday life!
atmosphere and being out in nature with good music
Everyone just wants to have fun, its a big party !
The sense of doing something completely different that is lots of fun.
looks fantastic my grand children would be on cloud 9
The atmosphere and chilling out
The atmosphere
The atmosphere and united belonging.
Great atmosphere and fab experience for the kids
The open air!
I’ve never been to one so I would love to experience the atmosphere xx
All the stands/things to do around the venue
The spirit
Atmosphere
All of it, the fresh air even if its raining, the music, the other people sharing your joy of the whole occasion, its just fabulous. Need a few more family friendly ones in my opinion though
the camping experience
The atmosphere is amazing.
I’ve never been to a festival and I would love to go.
everyone coming together for the same reason, relaxing and having fun as a family!
meeting new people
The fun atmosphere – it’s addictive! I love it
Spending time with friends.
being outside and spending time with friends and family i have never taken the kids though so this would be great xoxo
the atmosphere
The Atmosphere
Being outside and camping!
Camping and music!
The atmosphere
I have never been to a festival before, but I think I would really enjoy the atmosphere and would love spending quality time with my family.
Being part of something
The friendly atmosphere and being outdoors
atompshere ! :D
the great (sunny) atmosphere
the friendliness and carefree atmosphere
It is a great atmosphere and a great time for the whole family
The atmosphere x
The opportunity to take the family and meet up with friends
The atmosphere. Everyone just wants to enjoy themselves
Listening to new bands and when a whole crowd sings in unison but definitely not the loos!
Relaxing in the fresh air & the atmosphere :)
the different family activities that are on offer together with being out in the fresh air.
The sense of being together with the family and nature
the fantastic atmosphere
The atmosphere and chilling with friends
Chilling out in great surroundings!
Relaxing outside in the sun (hopeful!!) doing stuff all together as a family x
Have a tent never been camping, gotta do this
You can’t beat live music
Family entertainment
‘Being in the ‘Great Outdoors’
New experience xx
I love festivals as I love listening to live music in the sunshine! I would love my children to experience this! Good Luck all xx
The atmosphere is usually amazing at festivals
a new experience
Being with everyone and making new friends
Waking up to fresh air x
The atmosphere
Being outdoors with lots of happy people!!
being outdoors and the music
music
Atmosphere
This looks fab :-)
Would love to do a festival but to be able to do one with the kids would be amazing xxx
I have in the past been to many music festival, but to now have some out there that cater for the children is just great! I have had my time so It would be awesome to be able to allow the children to experience a proper fun filled family festival…
the relaxed atmosphere and the people
The atmosphere and variety of things to do for the whole family
I love getting my son away from tech and electricity in general! Funny thing is as soon as we get to a festival he never asks for any of it! x
The spirit and community :)
Thank you so much!