With summer well and truly on the way, festival season is nearly upon us. Sarah Ryman, author of A Field Somewhere shares us in on her tried and tested top festivals to take the kids.

Elderflower Fields – 27-30 May – Pippingford Park, Nutley

A magical weekend of wild adventure, discovery and inspiration designed especially for families with children in mind. Camping with nature and great local food & drink, all set in the heart of the beautiful Sussex countryside. With the focus on trying new things, the event offers so many activities for children to experience, and on Sunday provides a communal taster picnic for all guests. Kids can book a sports or arts camp while adults relax in the woodland spa, enjoy some local food and drink, or discover the eclectic range of music, performance and DJ’s.

Celebrating its 5th birthday this year, it’s easy to see why many families return to Elderflower Fields. An exciting and unique family experience that opens minds to new opportunities in sport, music, food, art and the great outdoors. At just a few thousand people, Elderflower Fields is the perfect environment for kids and grown-ups to fully escape for the weekend.

Elderflower Fields Festival 2015 © Kipperklock photography. All rights Reserved

Chilled in a Field – 29-31 July – The Hop Farm, Tonbridge ​

Grown from the ’90’s London party scene, Chilled in a Field is a lovely small, independent festival for grown up ex-ravers and their kids. ​Moving to its new home of The Hop Farm on the Kent / Sussex border this year, the weekend offers dance music from some of the UK’s top independent labels. Activities for children and adults all day with bands, musicians, artists, science, theatre and performances, DJ’s and dancing well in to the night.

A real ale festival bar, local beer and dozens of ciders, bubbles and cocktails compliment a range of delicious street food. Chilled in a Field is a friendly weekend of family fun and tickets are kept to under 1000 so it’s very manageable with little ones.

Forgotten Fields – 5-7 August – Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells

Forgotten Fields is an intimate festival set at the beautiful Eridge Deer Park in Sussex. A great party atmosphere, incredible music and good food and drink. Very much a music festival, there are several stages including the Gypsy Disco Presents stage which takes families late in to the night with interactive theatre, music and burlesque and circus performers.

The inaugural Forgotten Fields show cased new talent plus some undiscovered future stars. Plenty of festival favourites as well as a Late Night Cinema, a host of world beating cuisine and the Kendal Calling Real Ale Festival. There are also plenty of glamping options from bell tents, pod pads, octopads and bunk pads sleeping up to 6.

Funk the Family – 28 May – Hove Park, Hove

If the thought of camping fills you with dread, then Funk the Family offers a weekend of fun in just 1 day. The emphasis is on high quality live music with a selection of family entertainment around it. Building of the success of its first year in 2015, this year promises to offer another day of family fun in Brighton. (Well Hove actually)

Bought to you from Brighton’s own Radio Reverb DJ, Lucy ‘Elle J’ Small, the event partners some big names in music with interactive circus, a kids big top, local food, a well-being area, outdoor games, superb live music, and the groovy Club Tropicana DJ bar.

Englands Medieval Festival – 27-29 August – Herstmonceaux Castle

Step back in time and immerse your family in the spectacular magic of the past. England’s Medieval Festival is the most authentic, one-of-a-kind event with a very special blend of history and fun for the whole family. The largest event of its kind in the UK, from the moment you arrive you are surrounded by the sights, smells and excitement of medieval times. Realistic historical re-enactments, battles, performers, horses, archery, music, traditional crafts, eating, drinking, shopping and day to day life of the past.

Herstmonceaux Castle is a fairy tale setting with for a totally different family weekend. Wizards, jesters, knights, dragons and princesses await the kids. Guests can enjoy medieval glamping, regular camping, or even a real bed in the onsite B&B.

If you are looking for tips on taking your children to festivals read ‘Top Tips to survive festivals with kids’

Enjoy your summer kids!!

Sarah Ryman, A Field Somewhere: Sussex Mum and Festival Veteran

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