Wales and border: Best Family Festivals 2018

These are our writers’ favourite festivals in Wales and the welsh border. Although not all in the same country, the festivals on the Welsh border are close enough to share that same wild, green, close-to-nature atmosphere. You may not even get a phone signal!

Does this mean that they are more likely to get rain? Yes. Does this also mean that they are better able to handle rain? A big YES!

For more festivals please see our special family friendly festival map.

We know there are other amazing festivals that we are missing out – and we’re attempting to get our reviewers around as many festivals as we can. The festivals below are our tried and tested choices, ones our writers go back to year after year.


Green Gathering

Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE

2nd – 5th August 2018

Green Gathering is green and family friendly. The Gathering aims to raise awareness about the importance of ecological sustainability, while believing that education should be hands-on and fun. There are educational activities and discussions on important themes, and there’s also lots of green fun to be had!

WHAT MAKES GREEN GATHERING UNIQUE?

Green Gathering is entirely off-grid: all stages are 100% powered by wind, sun and people, creating a special kind of community. There’s a chance to learn traditional skills and crafting. The festival also has lots of up and coming bands – with diverse music from swing to punk.

Read our reviews: 2015, 2014

Accessibility: BSL communication support, hearing loops, shuttle buggy, charging station, free personal assistant ticket, assisted access area with accessible parking, camping, toilets, showers and communal campfire.

Don’t forget to use our affinity code to get a discount! On this page type FEKZ81 into the search box and hit go!

Tickets: Adult Weekend £100, 16-17 £75, 11-15 £55, 0-10 Free. See their website for full details. 

(photos used with permission of Green Gathering)


Green Man Festival

Brecon Beacons, Wales

16th – 19th August 2018

Green Man Festival is about as perfect a family friendly festival as you could ever find. A huge amount of activities including several large fields just for children – as well as the kids’ field there is Einstein’s garden which is packed with educational fun activities, and a large area for teenage children which includes their own alcohol-free communal campfire. The kids field itself is huge and includes a proper climbing and building area by Woodland Tribe as well as so many child-friendly performances and workshops that they could never be bored.

WHAT MAKES GREEN MAN UNIQUE?

The venue is incredibly special – set on a beautiful estate it gives the children a chance to run around, splash in a stream and play while parents enjoy the music. The street food is exceptional. The line up is always varied and high quality meaning there is something for everyone. Einstein’s Garden is a whole area introducing children to science through play. The whole festival is brilliantly programmed and well set out – you will want to stay for a week (and many do – the week-long “settler’s pass” always sells out quickly!)

Read our reviews: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012

Accessibility: Accessible car park and drop off point, accessible campsite, showers and toilets, mobility scooters for hire, fridge for medication, information point, free personal assistant ticket, viewing platforms

Tickets: Adult weekend £180, 13-17 £121.50, 5-12 £22, 0-4 free. Settler’s pass tickets extra. See the website for further information.


Farmer Phil’s Festival

Shropshire, SY5 0SN

10th – 12th August 2018

More like a gathering of friends than a festival, Farmer Phil’s is an exceptional place to get back to nature. Like a little oasis in the beautiful Shropshire hills – you can climb up the hill in the morning for an amazing view over the valleys, and then climb back down to dance your socks off with a fun and appreciative crowd. The Thursday is a special children’s day, with a visit from the Exotic Zoo – my daughters were very excited about stroking an armadillo! Make sure you pack extra clothes as the children will end up playing in streams, trees, meadows and mud.

WHAT MAKES FARMER PHIL’S UNIQUE?

Set on a farm surrounded with beautiful countryside, you can park next to your tent and go exploring round the local area as the ticket price includes camping for the whole week. Dogs are welcome (and incredibly well behaved). The same loyal crowd go year after year and are very friendly – expect to find the artists off stage hanging out around the campfires. Great festival for the perseid meteor showers!

Read our reviews: 2016

Accessibility: Can camp with car.

Tickets: Adult weekend £80, 12-15 £60, 0-12 £2, day tickets available. See website for further information.


Starry Skies Family Camp

Monmouthshire, NP15 1HS

8th – 12th August 2018

Starry Skies – brought to you by the same people that created Shambala Festival, this is a special event, for families only. This makes the festival feel very safe and community focussed – you can have loads of outdoor fun with the children while not being kept up all night by noise. There’s music in the evening with a bar for the adults so you get a festival vibe at night, but it all finishes at a reasonable hour – making it feel like a family holiday.

This year Starry Skies has moved to a beautiful location near Usk with acres of ancient woodland and meadows within the boundary of the site – the kids really can roam free!

WHAT MAKES STARRY SKIES UNIQUE?

Starry Skies is more like a family camp with festival activities, than a ‘full-on’ festival. It does this very well and is amazing particularly for outdoorsy children. We love how all the activities are about exploring nature – from educational ones such as forest school, building shelters and bread-making, to the brilliant crazy fun of the now legendary water slide.

And if you’re lucky the skies will clear for you, and you’ll see how Starry Skies got its name!

Read our reviews: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

Accessibility: Free personal assistant ticket, accessible toilets and showers

Tickets: Adult weekend £139-£159, 3-17 £39, 0-2 free. See the website for full details. 


Please also look at our recommended festivals of North England and the Midlands.