2012 Eden Festival Weather: It was very,very wet. The main area near the big stage got muddy. The roads into the site have hardcore so you can drive in and out easy. However when it’s wet and not cold or windy you will get midges so prepare!
Review by: Ellen (with 3 kids aged 6, 10 and 14)
Getting to the festival and setting up:
We arrived by bus, 2 adults and 3 kids. We were worried about getting to the site but it was fine we got dropped off at the top of the road and it was about 5 min walk to the main gate and it only took that long cause the kids stopped and sat down.. From the main gate it was another 5 mins walk to where we camped.. we were there when the main gates opened so didn’t have to wait to get in.
Entertainment – Line up and Kids Activities:
The entertainment was great for the kids age,10 and 6. The 14 year old met friends straight away and I hardly ever seen her but the other 2 were excited the whole time – they never once said they were bored. 6 year old loved the kid’s tent making fairy wings, clay models watching puppet shows and lots of other things, 10 year old enjoyed some of the activities but she loved the circus skills bit so she spent a lot of time there. The kids also done a few workshops and loved making jewellery. We were so busy we didn’t really see many bands during the day. I was too busy playing. At night we went in to the Furry Chillum tent a few times. On the Friday night we all had a great time and didn’t leave till around midnight when the fire show was on. My whole family loved that – it was magical.
What would you change or do to improve the event?
The toilets moved closer to the family area and a few more in the camping area.
Possibly more places to sit.
Top Tips and any other comments?
I was advised to go to this festival due to it being great for families. My family loved it and the fact that when we went there the weather was shocking but with most of the things being in tents we had a fantastic time and are planning on going back
Site and Facilities:
I am with O2 and coverage was fine..
If you timed it right the toilets were fine always had toilet roll, hand wash etc. but we avoided it at night …. I have heard from other people who were there last year that there was less toilets than last year and I do feel where they positioned the toilets for the family area wasn’t the best idea, they were right next to the main camping area.. have also heard they they cut down on the lighting in the family area and at night it would have been helpful. It is advertised as a family festival and I know they had to cut a few corners but I really do feel it shouldn’t have been cut from the family area.
food – cheese pizza £4 very nice, a good range of food for us all but i did come away wanting some chips LOL
Did you feel safe?
We all felt safe and comfortable. My partner who is normally an over-protective parent was more than happy to let the kids wander and also my 14 year old made friends and we hardly seen her.. She is normally a very shy girl said she felt like everybody was nice and that people would bump into her and hug her to say sorry, lol. My youngest wandered out of the tent while I was making a hedgehog and when people seen I was looking for a child we suddenly had about 20 people looking/shouting for her.. she was only away about 5 mins!
Most memorable moment?
The fire show and also us all skanking to Bombscare… But to be honest the whole weekend was just fantastic…. The weather was shocking but the people were all lovely and I left there having made new friends.
Would you go again?
YES YES YES YES YES!! (from all 5 of us!!)
10/10
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Review by: Dreva (with 2 kids aged 9 and 14)
Getting to the festival and setting up:
Parking was a joy, not far to walk to pitch and everything was smooth with good tracks that mean your car doesn’t get stuck. The campsite is fantastic – lots of mature trees near the river and lovely views. Other campers were dead friendly and everyone had a positive vibe on.
Entertainment – Line up and Kids Activities:
Loads of children’s things a great big Kids tent full of fun,games,dressing up,treasure hunts,cicus skills,stories etc. The bands were good except for Badly Drawn Boy who shouldn’t have bothered turning up and was lucky he didn’t have an audience. Peat Bog Faeries, Sick Note, Undercover Hippy, Mungos Hi Fi – all smashing with two dance/rave tents close to the main area, a fantastic chill out Vishnoo lounge, sauna and round the corner a rare groove Furry Chillum dance and band stage, too much to tell and mass fancy dress break out. Now that’s just silly!!
What would you change or do to improve the event?
A few more smaller caffs would have been good as I like a hot choc and toast at 4am, or breakfast.
Midges what can you do?!
Top Tips and any other comments?
This is a lovely festival and as close to what you would want, there is a lot of artsing about, fancy dress and some deep thought gone into this. So don’t expect the big commercial stuff cause it’s well better than that. A great mix of people and it doesn’t feel exclusive at all.
Site and Facilities:
Really good loos, frequently cleaned out, loads of loo roll and hand wash. The weekend was very wet and muddy but the big tents were close so you didn’t struggle.
Did you feel safe?
Everything was safe, relaxed, nice and really friendly. It was family friendly and the kids all appeared to have a great time. Information tent, first aid and helpful people.
Most memorable moment?
Jumping onstage with 50 others for Sicknote, the guy who wouldn’t take his waterproofs off in the sauna, dancing through the night at the furry Chillum, Laying in a hammock for 3 hours on Sunday morning at the Vishnoo lounge, whilst listening to music thinking I didn’t want to be anywhere else.
Would you go again?
Yes. Yes. YES!!
10/10