Recently we covered 13 festivals in Devon you need to visit, here are eight more fantastic festivals to see this year...
For many festival fans, the opportunity to stay up all night, indulge in hedonistic pursuits and watch a dazzling array of your favourite bands in one place with just one ticket is an unbeatable thrill.
But these days, my generation of parents (the original party people) just want a blow-up mattress that doesn’t collapse in the middle of the night (we need our sleep) and a safe space with things to do to keep the children entertained.
Happily, there are lots of festivals to choose from in Devon throughout the year. Our last was Grinagog in Torquay back in April, which was great fun - well worth a visit next year. Here are a some of the other family-friendly festivals in Devon this summer.
Goren festival
Consider going wild in the meadows at Goren Festival, near Honiton. Started by the local school PTA to raise funds for a school library, last year was the first year the organisers opened it up to the wider public. We really enjoyed it, the ticket prices were very reasonable and the profits are donated to charity. This is a great first festival with small children. It’s in a beautiful intimate setting and it’s good fun.
Glas-Denbury
Anyone who has fond memories of Glasto but can’t face the idea of the crowds and the mud with small people, Glas-Denbury might just be the festival for you. Celebrating the South West’s talented musicians, artists, writers and entertainers, it’s a family friendly music festival on green fields. Nominated for several awards, the festival organisers are committed to making it “comfortable, safe, happy and inspirational” - it’s definitely on our list this year.
Summer festival
If you want to party you could try the Love Summer Festival in Plympton. According to their website you should “think Joan Collins meets Glam Rock in Casino Royale with a good dose of 007 Licensed to Thrill”. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for a more bijoux event with massage, prosecco, yoga and hot tubs head to Wonder Fields at the Fulford Estate which promises to take “people on a journey through the Wonder Fields of undiscovered sensory delights”.
Music and food festivals
I’ve always thought there was something magical about hot air balloons, so I’m looking forward to checking out the Tiverton Balloon & Music Festival where there’ll be a few! Also incorporating the Devon Food Festival, there’ll be something for all the family, including live music and plenty of activities for the children plus it’s all raising money for Children’s Hospice South West and the Devon Air Ambulance.
On the subject of fundraising festivals, Chagstock looks great. It is set in the heart of rural Dartmoor on beautiful Whiddon Down. It’s a small affair - only 5000 capacity - but it is spread over many acres so theres plenty of space for free range children to play. Chagstock is supporting Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Water Aid.
For the eco warriors and environmentalists families, Off Grid Festival is in August. Working in collaboration with Cloud Cuckoo Land’s community arts festival Off Grid want to encourage both local abundance and global sustainability. Under 5s go free and there are plenty of workshops and fun things to get involved with.
And last but not least - some say the jewel in Devon’s festival crown - is Beautiful Days Festival. Not only will it have an impressive and eclectic line-up including; Alison Moyet, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott (from The Beautiful South) and The Sisters Of Mercy, but it’s also got award-winning toilets (let’s face it, they are important). It’s small enough to feel relaxed but big enough to pull in some respectable artists. This is the festival for the discerning, alternative muso parent. We had a whale of a time last year. We were a little sad that we didn’t get to see many bands, but that is part of the joy of small people and festivals, and it does have a brilliant dedicated children’s area with theatre and workshops.
Festival dates
16-18 June: Goldcoast Oceanfest, Croyde
30 June - 2 July: Goren Festival, Honiton
7-9 July: Wonder Fields, Great Fulford Estate Exeter
7-9 July: Glas-Denbury, Denbury
10-12 July: Tiverton Balloon & Music Festival, Tiverton
21-22 July: Chagstock Festival, Whiddon Down, Devon
4-11 August: Sidmouth Folk Week, Sidmouth
5-6 August: Exmouth Kite Festival, Exmouth
10-13 August: Off Grid, The Biophilia Project, Exeter
11-13 August: Love Summer Festival, near Plympton
11-13 August: Dartmoor Folk Festival, South Zeal
19-21 August: Beautiful Days, Escot Park
