Our Family Day Out at CarFest 2025

Our Family Festival Adventure

This summer we headed to CarFest 2025 for a family day out, and it reminded me exactly why I love family friendly festivals. Although lots of families camp for the whole weekend, we just went for the day—and honestly, it was more than enough to soak up the atmosphere, try new activities, and see what CarFest is all about. This was our third year attending, so the kids were already buzzing with excitement before we even arrived.

CarFest was created back in 2012 by Chris Evans and has raised over £25 million for children’s charities. Knowing that all the fun we were having was also helping to support good causes gave the whole day an extra feel-good factor.

 What makes CarFest stand out is the variety. Families can dip into so many different areas across the festival:

Cars, Cars, and More Cars

The cars are always one of the big highlights for us. We spent ages in the paddock admiring rows of classic cars, supercars, and racing cars—the kids loved spotting their favourites and asking questions. There were plenty of demonstrations and track shows too, with stunts and speed that had the crowd gasping.

It’s such a brilliant way to introduce children to something they might not see every day, and there’s a real buzz about being so close to the action.

KidsFest: The Children’s Favourite Spot

Of course, the area that Elliot and Erin made a beeline for was KidsFest. It’s completely geared towards children, with craft activities, inflatables, character meet-and-greets (the Gruffalo and Bluey were big hits), a book corner (with celebrity authors dropping in) and so much more.

The real highlight was the Young Drivers area. Elliot got behind the wheel of a real car with an instructor (he said it was “fun but a bit stressful!”), and Erin was absolutely thrilled to zip around in a Firefly Sport mini electric car. It made them both feel so grown up.

FoodFest: A Feast for All of Us

FoodFest was a feast for all the senses, with rows of stalls offering everything from wood-fired pizzas and sizzling street food to curries, burgers, and sweet treats. The atmosphere was lively, with the smells of cooking drifting across the festival and chefs giving live demonstrations on stage. Erin loved the hands-on biscuit decorating, while Elliot was drawn to the spicy sauces!

Many of the exhibitor were offering free samples and we particularly liked the Whitworth's stand where we came away with many, many bags of fruit and nuts, plus even some piping hot vegetarian chilli con carne.

 

Time Out at SpaFest

Festivals can be full-on, so it was nice to take a breather at SpaFest. The yoga sessions, wellness talks, and calmer vibe made it the perfect place to recharge before heading back to the busier parts of the site.

Celebrity Spotting at StarFest

Packed with the sparkle of celebrity, StarFest takes you behind the scenes of the worlds of TV, cinema, music, literature, comedy, and fashion. It’s a space where families can join in celebrating the success of some of the UK's best-loved performers, while also discovering and supporting new talent. We caught a few minutes of Lee Mack's talk and he drew a massive crowd!

RetroFest Fun

Another favourite for our family was RetroFest. Elliot loved the wartime displays and gun demonstrations, while Erin made the most of the retro playground with space hoppers and swingball in the Old Skoolyard. The whole area had such a fun nostalgic feel, and it was a nice mix of history and play.

Music to End the Day

For us, no festival would be complete without music, and CarFest had a brilliant line-up. This year’s line-up included Travis, Kim Wilde, Sam Ryder, Rita Ora, Tom Walker, Seasick Steve, Madness, Squeeze, and The Lightning Seeds, alongside performances from emerging artists and festival favourites such as the Rick Parfitt Jnr Band. The atmosphere at the Main Stage was welcoming and family-friendly, with plenty of space for dancing or just relaxing with a picnic. As in previous years, many families set up their chairs first thing in the morning and this is a great way of securing good spots. 

Family Festival Tips from Our Day

If you’re thinking of trying out a family festival day out, here are a few things we found really useful at CarFest:

• Tickets: In 2025, day tickets were £89–£102 for adults and £21–£26 for kids (under-fives free).

• Food & Drink: Stalls were plentiful with options for all diets, but we also packed a cool box of drinks and snacks to keep costs down.

• Facilities: Toilets and family areas were clean and well looked after, with baby change tents and breastfeeding spaces dotted around.

• Prams & Wagons: The site was large but pram-friendly—we saw lots of families pulling wagons too.

• Lost Children: Pick up a wristband at the entrance and write your number on it. We actually lost Erin briefly in the evening, and the Lost Children tent staff were incredible in reuniting us quickly.

What’s Next for CarFest?

CarFest has always been at Laverstoke Park Farm, which gives it a really warm, countryside feel. From 2026, though, it’ll move to Silverstone. It’ll definitely be different, but with bigger grounds and world-class facilities, I’m excited to see how the festival grows and what new things it brings for families.

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Why We Love Family Friendly Festivals

By the end of the day, we were exhausted but so happy. CarFest 2025 gave us everything we love about family friendly festivals: exciting activities for the kids, live music for us, plenty of food, and a safe, welcoming atmosphere where families can relax and make memories together.

We’ll definitely be back next year!

To sign up for 2026 pre-sale access, click here and to check out our reel from the festival, click here

*Disclaimer - We were gifted day tickets for Carfest but all thoughts and opinions are honest and we genuinely had a fantastic time! 

 

10 Reasons Why Your Family Will Love CarFest

If you’re looking for a festival that’s fun for everyone – not just music lovers or car fans – then CarFest needs to be on your radar. Created by radio host Chris Evans, CarFest isn’t just a celebration of cars and music; it’s a heartwarming, action-packed, feel-good family adventure. Whether you have toddlers in tow, tweens looking for thrills, or teens who need a bit of convincing, CarFest has something for everyone – including you!

Here are 10 reasons why CarFest should be on your family’s must-do list:

1. There’s Something for Everyone – Yes, Really!

Let’s face it – finding a day out that the whole family enjoys can be tricky. But CarFest has cracked the code. It blends high-octane car displays with live music, food, crafts, sports, comedy, and kids’ zones. Mum can relax with a coffee and listen to live music, Dad can drool over supercars, and the kids? Well, they’ll be everywhere – from bouncing on inflatable castles to watching science experiments or making pizza in the food zone. 

Biscuit decorating at Foodfest

2. The Kids’ Zone is a Mini Festival All on Its Own

CarFest’s KidsFest area is a paradise for little adventurers. Think soft play, face painting, character meet-and-greets (yes, Bluey and Peppa Pig were there in 2024!), and entertainers on stage all day long. There are shows, craft workshops, storytelling corners, and even areas for toddlers to chill out when they need a break. It’s safe, secure, and designed specifically with families in mind.

Last year my kids highlight of the Kids Zone was the Frubes stall. Here they donned a velcro suit and attached themselves to a velcro wall - it was brilliantly bonkers! Not to mention the multiple free boxes of Frubes that were handed out over the weekend - especially nice on a hot day when they're frozen :)

3. It’s a Car Lover’s Dream (Big or Small)

Got a kid who’s obsessed with cars? A partner who’s never grown out of their love for fast engines? CarFest brings together a jaw-dropping selection of over 500 vehicles – from rare vintage classics to the latest supercars. There are live demos, track parades, and even the chance to ride in some of them with the Dream Rides experience. It’s interactive, hands-on, and thrilling – perfect for all ages. 

On the Sunday afternoon, the Paddock is open for eveyone to look round and Elliot was in his absolute element surrounded by all his favourite cars. 

Elliot in the Carfest Paddock

4. The Music Line-Up is Amazing – and Family-Friendly

Families will love the music at CarFest because it’s designed to be fun, feel-good, and suitable for all ages. With a mix of chart-topping pop, nostalgic throwbacks, raucous rock bands and chilled acoustic sets, there’s something for every generation to enjoy – whether you’re dancing with the kids in the sunshine or swaying to a sunset performance. 

We all loved seeing Sam Ryder at last year's Carfest - what a voice! We also thoroughly enjoyed The Feeling on Sunday evening - I didn't realise I knew so many of their songs and it was a fantastic atmosphere down the front. 

5. It’s Designed with Families in Mind

CarFest is brilliantly organised when it comes to families. You’ll find:

• Baby-changing facilities

• Child-friendly toilets

• Quiet spaces for naps or overstimulation

• Plenty of seating and shade

• Water refill points and first aid stations

Plus, the layout makes it easy to navigate with buggies or wheelchairs. Unlike other festivals, there is plenty of room across site so you never feel jammed in.

6. See Your Favourite Celebrities Up Close and Personal!

One of the most exciting things about CarFest is the chance to see your favourite celebrities up close and personal – and not just on a stage or behind a barrier. From TV stars and musicians to sports legends and celebrity chefs, CarFest brings big names right into the heart of the action. Whether they’re cooking in the Kitchen Stage, reading stories in KidsFest, performing live, or just walking around the festival grounds, you never know who you might bump into. I managed to bump into Tom Ellis at last year's festival - such fun! 

7. Camping = Big Family Adventure

Camping isn’t a must, but we highly recommend it. CarFest’s camping areas are safe, family-friendly, and full of festival spirit. There are quiet areas for early bedtimes, or livelier spots if your kids have energy to burn. Plus, there’s nothing like waking up in your tent to the sound of laughter, music, and the buzz of the festival starting up again.

Campers arriving on the Thursday evening can also take advantage of the Big Early - an evening of fun and games with TV's Aj & Curtis Pritchard. 

Photo Credit - Emma Varnom Carfest Buddies Facebook Group

8. It’s Sustainable and Forward-Thinking

CarFest 2024 took huge steps toward being a greener festival. All their official vehicles ran on eco-friendly plant-based fuel, and they introduced EV charging on-site for campers. If your family is eco-conscious, it’s reassuring to know that this is a festival trying to do better for the planet. As a bonus, if you are heading to the festival in your EV in 2025, you can sign up for exclusive festival perks such as lounge passes and priority EV parking. 

photocredit - Carfest website

9. All Proceeds Support Children’s Charities

Here’s something special: CarFest isn’t just for families – it’s for a good cause, too. The event raises money for several UK children’s charities including BBC Children in Need, Teenage Cancer Trust, and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Just by attending, you’re helping other families across the UK. It’s a festival with a heart.

10. You’ll Leave With Full Hearts (and Probably Full Tummies Too)

There’s delicious food (from street food to sweet treats), craft markets with handmade treasures, and enough entertainment to last all weekend. But more than that, you’ll leave with a heart full of joy, a phone full of photos, and stories your kids will be telling for weeks.

Final Thoughts

CarFest isn’t just a festival – it’s a family experience. It’s the kind of event where you can unplug, unwind, and just enjoy being together. Whether you’re a first-time festival-goer or seasoned pros, you’ll find everything you need for a brilliant, bonding weekend away.

So pack the wellies, grab the glitter, and get ready to make memories – CarFest is waiting for you.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the website here

*Disclaimer - We were gifted weekend tickets for Carfest but all thoughts and opinions are honest and we genuinely had a fantastic time! 

The Best Family-Friendly Festivals in the UK featuring Carfest and More! (UPDATED FOR 2025)

 One of our favourite things to do in the Summer as a family is to visit a festival. You can't beat sitting in a field watching the sun go down, listening to some cracking live music and taking in the atmosphere.  Most festivals have a dedicated kids area and here you can find all sorts of activities to keep them busy.  As the kids get older, we have started to try a few different ones and we have certainly found our favourites!

 Here’s a guide to some of the best family-friendly festivals in the UK.

1. Camp Bestival

Location: Lulworth Castle, Dorset
When: 31st July - 3rd Aug

Camp Bestival is the ultimate family festival, combining music, arts, and family fun. Held in the picturesque grounds of Lulworth Castle, it features a stellar lineup of music acts such as Sugababes and Tom Jones, alongside comedy shows, theatre performances, and workshops. Kids can enjoy the enormous Kids’ Garden with circus skills, face painting, and a dedicated toddler area. The festival also includes a wellness area for parents to unwind, making it a hit with families of all ages. Don't miss the fireworks on the Sunday evening! 

Elliot in the Lower Kids Garden, Camp Bestival

2. The Big Feastival

Location: The Cotswalds
When: 22-24 August

The Big Feastival, founded by Jamie Oliver and Alex James, is a celebration of food and music set on Alex James’ farm in the Cotswolds. It features live cooking demonstrations from top chefs, a fantastic music lineup including Faithless and Nelly Furtado, and plenty of activities for kids. The Big Top offers theatre shows, Cbeebies stars and much more, while older children can enjoy workshops and outdoor sports. The festival’s focus on good food and fun makes it a deliciously delightful experience for families. Top tip, look out for Barrioke in The Outpost - highly recommend!

3. CarFest

Location: Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire
When: 22-24 August

CarFest, created by radio DJ Chris Evans, is a fantastic blend of cars, music, and family entertainment. Families can enjoy a vibrant mix of car shows, live music (looking forward to Busted and Sam Ryder this year!), great food and a host of activities for children. The festival includes a dedicated Kids’ Kingdom with crafts, circus skills, and sports activities. The track show, featuring classic and modern cars, is a highlight for all ages, and the proceeds support UK children’s charities, making it a feel-good event for the whole family.

Carfest Car Paddock

We visited Carfest for the first time last year and it was fantastic - easily one of the best family friendly festivals we've been to. We are looking forward to heading back this year!

4. Green Man Festival

Location: Brecon Beacons, Wales
When: 14th-17th August 2025

While Green Man is renowned for its impressive lineup of indie and alternative music (CMAT and Wet Leg are appearing this year), it’s also incredibly family-friendly. The festival’s Little Folk area provides a haven for kids, with workshops, storytelling, and musical performances tailored for younger audiences. The festival’s stunning location in the Brecon Beacons offers plenty of opportunities for families to explore the natural beauty of the area.

5. Gloworm Festival

Location: Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire
When: 8th-10th August 2025

Gloworm Festival is designed specifically for families with young children. It offers a magical and immersive experience with a focus on fun and creativity. The festival features live performances from popular children’s TV stars such as Justin Fletcher and Andy and The Odd Socks, interactive theatre shows, craft workshops, and outdoor adventures. The Gloworm Woods are perfect for exploring, and the festival’s relaxed atmosphere ensures a stress-free experience for parents and kids alike.

Pic Credit - Sue Davis and girls at Gloworm Festival

6. Camp Kindling

Location: Sevenoaks, Kent
When: 15th-18th August

Camp Kindling is the ultimate summer camp-style festival for families who love a bit of adventure mixed with festival fun. Set in the beautiful Heritage Pine Forest in Kent, this unique event offers everything from archery battles and treasure hunts to woodland crafts and paddleboarding. It’s all about getting stuck into activities by day and enjoying live music, comedy, and campfires by night. With its token-based system, you can pick and choose your favourite experiences, making it perfect for families who like flexibility — and marshmallows by the fire!

7. Gone Wild Festival

Location: Powderham Castle, Devon
When: 21st-24th August

Gone Wild Festival is a unique family festival that combines outdoor adventure with music and entertainment. Co-founded by Bear Grylls, it offers a wide range of activities, from bushcraft and survival skills to climbing, kayaking, and obstacle courses. The festival also features live music, storytelling, and workshops, making it a perfect blend of education and fun. Set in the stunning grounds of Powderham Castle, it’s an excellent choice for families who love the great outdoors.

Gone Wild Festival 

8. Victorious Festival

Location: Southsea Seafront, Portsmouth
When: 22nd-24th August

Victorious Festival is a vibrant family-friendly event set against the beautiful backdrop of Southsea Seafront. It boasts an impressive lineup of music acts (including Kings of Leon and Madness) across multiple stages, along with a dedicated Kids Arena featuring character meet-and-greets, live performances, and interactive activities. Families can enjoy arts and crafts, face painting, and a variety of sports and games. With its seaside location, it also offers the opportunity to relax on the beach and enjoy the coastal atmosphere.

Kids Arena at Victorious Festival

9. Latitude Festival

Location: Henham Park, Suffolk
When: 24th-27th July 2025

Latitude Festival, held at Henham Park in Suffolk is an all‑round family festival treasure that blends big-name music acts like Sting, Fatboy Slim, and Snow Patrol with a full-on kids’ extravaganza. Spread across three dedicated zones—the creative Kids Area, the calm Enchanted Garden, and nature-packed Camp Greenpeace—you’ll find everything from theater workshops, bug safaris, and pond dipping to tree-climbing, bushcraft, yoga, storytelling, puppetry, and science shows—all free to join, with only the funfair rides costing extra

Tips for Enjoying Festivals with Kids

• Plan Ahead: Check festival websites for family-friendly amenities and activities.
• Pack Essentials: Bring weather-appropriate clothing, snacks, and comfort items for the kids. 
• Stay Safe: Keep a close eye on your children and use wristbands with contact information.
• Take Breaks: Allow for downtime to avoid overstimulation and keep everyone happy.

These family-friendly festivals offer a perfect mix of entertainment, creativity, and outdoor fun, ensuring that both kids and parents have a fantastic time. So pack your bags, gather your family, and get ready to create some unforgettable memories at these wonderful UK festivals!

Exploring Carfest 

CARFEST - THE BEST FAMILY FESTIVAL IN THE UK?!

 We love taking our kids to festivals and we usually try and book one in every Summer. Over the years, our favourites have been Camp Bestival, Gone Wild and Lamer Tree Festival but this year we wanted to try something different. 

Step forward...Carfest! Billed as the UK's biggest family fundraising festival, Carfest successfully blends motor shows with live music and entertainment for the whole family. It was founded by radio DJ Chris Evans and has raised millions of pounds for children's charities. It ticked all our boxes - lots of fast cars for Elliot to see, a huge kids area for Erin, plenty of yummy food and drink for my husband and an amazing line up of live music for me. We were excited to experience it all! 

Day 1 - Saturday

We had weekend tickets but decided to stay in a local hotel rather than camp. It just meant having to take way less stuff and who doesn't love a comfy bed after a busy day at a festival! We left bright and early from Poole and arrived at the festival site around 9am. We found it nice and straightforward to find the carpark and it was well sign posted from the main roads into Overton. Unlike Camp Bestival, the walk from the carpark wasn't too bad and it probably only took us around 10-15 minutes. 

We were soon picking up our weekend wristbands and deciding where to explore first. The festival is split into different areas including Starfest, Spafest, Adventurefest, Kidsfest, Foodfest, Retrofest and then of course the card and music! 

Our first port of call was the Costa area - Costa are one of Carfest's sponsors and we had heard great things about the giveaways! Paul was happy - coffee for him whilst the kids tried their luck on the digital spin the wheel. We didn't win the Nintendo switch but we did come away with bubbles, lots of coffee, brownies, biscuits and even a really nice travel mug. I'd definitely recommend visiting this bit with kids! 

One thing about the music/stage area at Carfest that we quickly realised was people pitch up in the morning with their chairs/wagons/flags etc and just leave their stuff for the day. This seemed to be a bit of a contentious subject on the Carfest Buddies FB group but for us, it made sense to leave our festival wagon. It gave us a central base to return to throughout the day if we needed to and saved lugging everything around! It also meant we were guaranteed a good spot for the evening music. 

We spent the next few hours exploring the cars and there was so much to see. We caught some fantastic displays and the roar of the engines and being up close to the race track was something else! Elliot is car mad so he was in his element. We even bumped into Richard Hammond at the Smallest Cog workshop which was exciting although Elliot got confused and thought it was Ricky Gervais 😁

Richard Hammond - The Smallest Cog Workshop

When we're at a festival we don't like to be too strict about timings and prefer to explore and see what we stumble upon but one of our must sees was kids favourite Andy and The Odd Socks in the Kidsfest area. We've been fans of Andy's since Elliot was a toddler and it's always great to see his band and their live show. And of course we had to get some selfies after the show 😎 

Andy and The Odd Socks - Carfest

The Kidsfest area was home to Pudsey's Spot and there were lots of chances to meet some familiar faces there over the weekend. We met Bluey and Bingo and I'm not sure who was more excited, me or Erin!

The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the food festival area and there was something for every taste bud at the Farmers Market. Packed full of stalls selling everything from gourmet brownies to spicy sauces, we managed to pick up lots of yummy treats including some amazing scotch eggs. We also caught a few demos by Candice and Bryony from GBBO which was really interesting. There seemed to be a lot going on in this area such as foodie workshops, book signings, chef talks, cocktail making - even a pop up pub with live music. We could have spent lots more time here and feel like we only scratched the surface but there was so much more to see...

We spent some time checking out the cars - there are regular track shows through out the day and it's nice and easy to find a good viewing spot along the side. Even for a non car-fanatic like me, it was exciting seeing some gorgeous cars up close and the kids loved the theatrics of the skids and hand brake 360s! There are lots of car brands at the festival and many opportunies to pick up freebies...which, lets face it, who doesn't love a freebie. The kids were buzzing to win hats, air freshners, tote bags, mints and even a few pens along the way. 

Soon it was time to head back to the main stage for the evenings musical entertainment. There are plenty of food stalls near the stage for when you get hungry and although it was busy, we never really had to spend long queueing. Prices were quite steep however (think it was almost £30 for two lots of burger and chips) but it's a festival and you do expect this. We shared a couple of meals between us, plus I took lots of snacks to keep the kids happy. I did get talked into a very expensive milkshake though! 

The music for the evening was brilliant, kicking off with the Bootleg Beatles. I loved hearing the crowd singalong to Hey Jude! The star of the evening for us though was undoubtedly Rick Astley. Never realised just how talented he is - he doesn't just sing but plays a multitude of instruments. Elliot really likes his songs so he was so excited to see him live and Rick didn't disappoint! It was such a great atmosphere with the lit up funfair behind us, and families of all ages singing along. 

We headed back to the car after a long day of festival fun but couldn't wait to do it all again in the morning. 

Day 2 - Sunday

After a quick charge of the car and a Mcdonalds brekkie at nearby services, we were heading back to Overton and looking forward to seeing what was in store for the day. We had no set plans but did want to explore the areas that we didn't visit yesterday. 

Our first port of call was to set up our chairs and area in front of the main stage. We then spent a bit of time exploring the Retrofest area. You can find all sorts here, like retro clothing stalls, cars, games and we even stumbled upon some energetic aerobics displays featuring lots of lycra! Some of the highlights of Retrofest included an area set up with old war vehicles and weapons. The kids were allowed to sit in the landrovers and even hold the guns, Elliot was living his best Fortnite life! We also found The Deloreon which was pretty impressive - the owner was so knowledgeable and we loved all the little bits of memorabilia inside such as a hoverboard and hologram photo.

We caught a few car displays and especially loved seeing the Ghostbusters car doing the laps! The track winds throughout the festival so it's not hard to find a spot to watch the live shows. 

We found ourselves in the Adventurefest field and this was probably one of our favourite areas. There was a large scouting section run by Hampshire scouts and the kids made a bee line for the climbing wall - rather than than me! We had a go at archery, and the kids added their Beaver/Scout troop to the Scouting map. 

We were also very fortunate to catch Tim Peake who was chatting to the scouts - Elliot managed to say hello and shake his hand which made his day! My husband was rather envious that he missed him but he did get to watch a Q&A with Tim later on in the afternoon at the Discovery Hub stage. 

Meeting Tim Peake at Carfest

Adventurefest was also home to Bugfest which as the name suggests, was a great place to get up and close to lots of creepy crawlies. This was one of the few paid for activities we did, and I think it was £5 per person to enter the Bugfest tent but the kids loved it and it was money well spent. There was no time limit and they were able to hold a tarantula, millipede, stick insect and many more. 

BugFest

We dipped back into the Kidsfest for a quick bounce on the giant bouncy castle and we made sure to pick up some freebies from the Capri Sun and Pip Organic stalls. We also headed back to the farmers market where we couldn't resist another scotch egg! 

With the afternoon almost over, we decided to spend some time exploring the Motorsport Paddock where Elliot was in his absolute element! It was a chance to get up close to some of his favourite cars and he thoroughly enjoyed spotting lots of Aston Martins. Aside from seeing Rick Astley, I think this was probably his favourite part of the weekend. 

Back at the main stage, we grabbed some food and settled in for the evening. There was a real variety of acts including Alex Horne's Horne section, Ricky Wilson from Kaiser Chiefs, The Feeling and The Village People. Unsure of how many of the original Village People line up were left but it was entertaining nonetheless! (Even if they did take an awful long time to start their performance)

The Village People - Carfest

Texas were the headliner for the Sunday night and I would have loved to have stayed to see their entire set but we decided to call it a night a few songs in with some very tired children in tow. We did  however stumble across a silent disco at the Bp Pulse tent so of course we had to stop and have a little boogie! 

We had such a brilliant weekend at Carfest and there were so many memories made - too many to mention in this blog. Highlights included meeting Tim Peake, dancing to Rick Astley, and hearing the roar of the engines on the track. 

Carfest certainly lived up to it's reputation and I feel like we only scratched the surface of the activities on offer. The kids are already asking if we're going again this year. We might even be brave enough to camp 😃

Ticket are already on sale for Carfest 2024 and can be found here

*Disclaimer - We were gifted weekend tickets for Carfest but all thoughts and opinions are honest and we genuinely had a fantastic time! 

UK's Top 5 Family-Friendly Festivals: Unforgettable Fun at CarFest, Camp Bestival, Gone Wild, Gloworm and More!

The UK, renowned for its vibrant festival scene, offers a multitude of family-friendly events throughout the year. These festivals are perfect for making memories, with an array of children's activities, gourmet food, and exciting musical performances. Let's explore five top-notch festivals in the UK: CarFest, Camp Bestival, Gone Wild, Gloworm, and The Big Feastival.

CarFest - Hampshire

A Family Festival Celebrating Cars and Music

Brought to life by the popular radio presenter Chris Evans, CarFest is a must-visit for car enthusiasts. Hosted annually at Laverstock Park Farm, Carfest successfully blends motor shows with live music and entertainment for the whole family. With popular acts such as Andy and The Odd Socks (our fave!), Rick Astley, Craig David and many more, there is something for everyone. Plus, with a dedicated food fair, your culinary cravings are well covered. Not only that, each year it raises millions of pounds for children's charities! 

Photo Credit - CarFest

Camp Bestival - Dorset

A Medley of Music, Art, and Adventure

Held at the enchanting Lulworth Castle in Dorset, Camp Bestival is more than just a music festival. Amidst a variety of live performances, theatre, comedy, and literature, kids can engage in numerous creative workshops and exciting outdoor adventures. Adults can relax at the wellness retreat or dance to the beats of some of the UK's top artists. With the beautifully lit castle serving as a backdrop, you'll feel as though you've stepped into a magical realm. 

Elliot and Erin at Camp Bestival 

Gone Wild Festival - Devon

Adventure in the Heart of Nature

The Gone Wild Festival, backed by Bear Grylls and his team, is an exhilarating outdoor adventure suitable for all ages. Situated amidst the stunning scenery of the Devon countryside, this festival gives you the chance to learn survival skills, participate in archery, build rafts, and even try rock climbing. Evenings are spent enjoying delicious food, live music, and campfire stories in the gorgeous surroundings of Powderham Castle.

Gone Wild Festival - Powderham Castle Devon

Gloworm Festival - Nottingham

A World of Joy and Imagination for Children

The Gloworm Festival, set in Thoresby Park in Nottinghamshire, is a child-centric event encouraging creativity and play. It features popular TV and film characters, a variety of interactive workshops, games, and performances. Parents also have their share of entertainment, alongside an array of mouth-watering food and drink options. 

The Davies family having lots of fun at Gloworm (Photo Credit: Sue Davies)

The Big Feastival - The Cotswolds

Where Culinary Delights Meet Live Music

Completing our list, The Big Feastival at Alex James' Farm in the Cotswolds is a unique fusion of top-class food, live music, and an assortment of children's attractions. With demonstrations from Michelin star chefs and a diverse line-up of musicians, the festival offers an unforgettable experience. For the little ones, cooking classes, circus workshops, and meet-and-greets with children's TV characters are all part of the fun.

Photo Credit - The Big Feastival

Embarking on a family adventure at any of these festivals is sure to create lasting memories. Secure your tickets, pack your tents, and prepare for an unforgettable journey at the UK's top family-friendly festivals. Don't forget your wellies! 

Elliot at a VERY muddy Camp Bestival :)