Boomtown - Festival Kidz

9th - 13th August 2023

Location: Matterley Estate, Alresford Road, Near Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1HW

Size: 66,000

Parent Reviews: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014

Please note: In 2024 Boomtown moves to 18+ so no longer allow kids. In 2022 Boomtown removed their children’s field and dedicated family facilities.

The following was written when Boomtown still welcomes families. We hope one day this magic will return!

A pop-up city where the impossible is possible, and the abnormal is normal!

Held in the beautiful Matterley Bowl Estate in Winchester, Boomtown is a magical city in a city but once you’re there you could be anywhere in the world…!!

Founded in 2009, Boomtown has evolved from a humble village fair into a vast pop-up metropolis celebrating a dizzying kaleidoscope of musical and artistic endeavour. Rising from the Hampshire countryside for four days each August, it has become one of the UK’s most innovative independent festivals, offering its 60,000 citizens a fully immersive, theatrically-led experience like no other with hundreds of actors bringing the film-like street sets to life.

Held in the beautiful Matterley Bowl Estate in Winchester, Boomtown is a magical city in a city but once you’re there you could be anywhere in the world!

From mind blowing main stages to enchanting backstreet micro-venues, BoomTown’s nine fully themed districts vibrate night and day to a soundtrack exploring everything from ska, folk, gypsy, reggae, world, punk, pirate and disco, via electro-swing, jazz, bluegrass, bass, jungle and techno. It’s a city where imagination truly is the only boundary.

There used to be an incredible giant interactive treasure hunt throughout all the Boomtown districts, called The Maze. We wrote this on The Maze and how to attempt it with your kids. Although it is not currently planned for this year, there will be a large amount of interactive theatre and we hope to see The Maze return in the future

Tickets for children under the age of 12 are £5 when accompanied by an Adult Ticket holding parent or guardian aged 30 or over.

There are restrictions on access to some of the DownTown Area (late night area) after 7pm for those aged under 16 as there are places that are not appropriate for children due to adult content and crowds.

Boomtown is big and more than a little bit crazy making it a choice for very up-for-it families and kids who don’t mind crowds rather than those just starting to explore the world of festivals.

Family camping and facilities

In 2022 Boomtown decided to remove its dedicated children’s area and facilities. There is an allocated area in quiet camping with children’s toilets available.

Please note the age restrictions on access to the Downtown District (late night area) as Boomtown recognises that some of the louder areas of the site are unsuitable for Mini Boomers. The rest of the site will be accessible for those with children after 7 and entertainment continues well into the night elsewhere.

Access

Boomtown takes place on the Matterley Estate in the middle of the beautiful Hampshire countryside. The festival cascades over the interesting landscape of woodland, rolling hills and valleys and a natural bowl making hills inevitable. The event is defined by areas with each area playing host to stages, venues, cafes, bars, chillout spaces and performance events. There are 24 hour support services such as medical and welfare with circuit roads and trackways around the site which do drain well when wet, but please be aware that ground conditions can change quickly and the site can be uneven.

There are wide access toilets located around the site and viewing platforms at the main stages, there are also chill out spaces located around the festival with seating and a lot of the cafes and venues will have some suitable seats but keep in mind that this is a large-scale festival with 60,000 guests.

The Meadow

The Meadow is the accessible camping area of the festival and is run by the fantastic GAMA Access Areas CIC team.

Boomtown aim to reduce the hassle for all citizens and each year The Meadow is growing in size to meet the demands of their audience. The GAMA team are involved in the site wide development of accessible facilities, as well as looking after of The Meadow camping area.

If you are planning on camping in The Meadow, please contact info@boomtownfair.co.uk – Don’t forget to mention if you have stayed at The Meadow before as this will speed up the process considerably.

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