Whether you want to pitch up under canvas, or want something a little more luxurious such as glamping, a campervan, caravan or motorhome don't miss our guide to the best festivals to pitch up at in 2017...
Best for Families
Elderflower Fields
26th-29th May 2017, Pippingford Park, East Sussex
Billed as the Family Festival, this certainly has a lot to offer for all ages. With no big headlining acts the focus is on providing a safe and inspiring environment for kids to enjoy new experiences in the great outdoors. There are foraging walks; science-as-entertainment demos; mountain boarding (skateboarding in a field); multiple ball games; campfire cooking for kids; a climbing wall; arts camp,: something called disc golf involving Frisbees; archery; nightjar walks; mud kitchens and slacklining (safe tight-rope walking) all taking place alongside stage performances from musicians, bands and storytellers. There is plenty to keep everyone in the family entertained at all times! Plus, on Sunday there’s the chance to partake in a massive group family picnic – team up with some new friends and kick-back while the kids run themselves ragged.
Tickets, including camping, campervan and glamping options: https://www.elderflowerfields.co.uk
Best for Foodies
The Big Feastival
25-27 August 2017, Alex, James’ Farm , The Cotswolds
Combining top-class food with live music from headlining acts this summer festival takes place on the bassist from Blur, Alex James’, farm in Kingham, The Cotswolds. The 2017 line-up is not yet announced but 2016 had appearances from TV chefs in The Big Kitchen including Jamie Oliver, Tom Kerridge, Raymond Blanc, Thomasina Miers, Nadja Hussain and Gizzi Erskine...
And music acts were Mark Ronson, Tinie Tempha, Kaiser Chiefs, Roisin Murphy, Ella Henderson, Foxes, The Proclaimers and Stereo MCs amongst others. It is fully geared up for families – although no dogs – and as a parent, you are allowed re-entry to the site to take the kids back for some sleep whilst you party on.
Tickets, including pitches for tents, caravans and campervans: http://thebigfeastival.com
Best for Culture Buffs
Festival no 6
7 – 10 September 2017, Portmeirion, Wales
Taking place in the Snowdian coastal village of Portmeirion, the setting for cult sixties series The Prisoner, this is an annual art and music festival in early Autumn. Covering a diverse range of musical genres including rock and roll, folk, house, techno and dance the programme also includes readings, comedy, talks and screenings. Its uncommon setting amongst the Italianate villas and Mediterranean-style streets and squares certainly instils it with an other-wordly air and, even aside from the performers such as British Sea Power, Belle & Sebastian, Everything Everything, Irvine Welsh, Bernard Sumner, and Stuart Maconie to enthral; you will find it a unique, even magical experience.
Tickets can be bought for pre-erected tents and campervans as well as taking your own along: http://festivalnumber6.com/
Best for Getting Away from it All
Tiree Music Festival
12th July – 17th July 2017, Isle of Tiree, Scotland
This award-winning Scottish Folk Music Festival is cosy in size when compared to some others and takes place on the Inner Hebridean island of Tiree. Long known as a wind-surfers paradise, due to its position as one of the most Westerly islands Tiree also enjoys well above the UK average hours of sunshine in the summer months. The festival itself has 3 stages – an open air main stage, a marquee-housed community village stage and an indoor ceilidh stage. In order to reach the festival with your motorhome or campervan you have to take a 4-hour ferry from Oban (without a vehicle you could fly from Glasgow). Once on the island there is also bike hire available.
Tickets including separate glamping and campervan sites alongside the 2 main campsites, the chill out site and glamping: http://tireemusicfestival.co.uk/
Best for City-Lovers
ParkLife
10 – 11 June 2017, Heaton Park, Manchester
If crowds in the countryside aren’t your thing but you still want to indulge in some collective music enjoyment outdoors then try Parklife. Heaton Park in Manchester is a 600 acre site, 5 miles from the city centre. You could stay at the Burrs Country Park Caravan Club site which is 6 miles away and within easy busy ride of the concert site. The 4 stages boast a phenomenal line-up including The 1975; Two Door Cinema Club; Frank Ocean; A Tribe Called Quest; Fatboy Slim; Eric Prydz; Boy Better Know and Chaka Khan.
Tickets: http://parklife.uk.com/
Best for Petrol Heads
CarFest North | 28-30 July 2017, Bolesworth, Cheshire
CarFest South | 25 – 27 August 2017, Laverstoke Park Farm, Hampshire
The brain-child of Chris Evans, this event is a mix of music, cars and family entertainment. With two outings in the North and South of the country the events cater for 4 wheeled enthusiasts with a Hill Climb Track Show, Car Club displays, Vintage Village and Sporting Bear Dream Rides. Music fans, meanwhile, can be satisfied with acts like KT Tunstall, Bryan Ferry, The Corrs and Bryan Adams. Children are also well provided for with activities such as dance workshops, camel racing, climbing walls, competitions, basket weaving and circus skills.
Tickets including boutique, camping, caravan and campervan options: http://www.carfest.org
