Green festivals for families
Lily Barclay looks at some eco-friendly summer festivals for all the family
If you want to treat your little ones to fun weekend away this summer, why not take them to one of the many child-friendly, green festivals taking place across the country? Here are our top picks.
In this article
The Secret Garden Party
Date: 24-27 July 2008
Location: Huntington, Cambridge
Price: Children under 14: Free. Children under 18: £100. Adults: £125.
Top of the bill: Grace Jones, Envy, Morcheeba, Sons and Daughters
The Secret Garden Party is set in 10 acres of landscaped garden bordering a river and lake. It is a relatively small event, with just 6500 tickets sold every year, and as a result it’s a good introduction to the world of family festivals.
A lot of care goes into making the children’s section a fun and creative affair and this year’s activities are set to be bigger than ever. Among the attractions is a Tea Party Shed, where visitors can decorate fairy cakes, and a fashion tent where children can make their own costumes and show them off in a grand parade.
Green credentials: The Secret Garden Party has introduced a green car tax of £5 for cars entering site with two or less people in them. The money from this will be used to buy trees, which will be given to the local community.
For more information: The Secret Garden Party
Womad (World of Music, Arts and Dance)
Date: 25-27 July 2008
Location: Malmesbury, Wiltshire
Price: First child: free. Additional child £10. Weekend Adults: £125.
Top of the bill: Ali Slimani, Dan Hicks, the Hot Licks
Womad is located in pretty Charlton Park and is a great idea for a multicultural weekend away. The festival will host an audience of 20,000 this year, as well as 70 world-class artists from 40 different countries. They hold a full programme of participatory workshops for adults and children - don’t miss the Taste the World cookery sessions.
Other activities to keep your kids amused are a children’s procession on the Sunday, a chance to ‘shop around the world’ at the international market, and a global village decorated with visual art, projections and temporary sculptures.
Green credentials: Winner of the Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Award for diverting 75% of its waste from landfill to composting or recycling.
For more information: Womad
Cornbury Music Festival
Date: 5-6 July 2008
Location: Cornbury, Oxfordshire
Price: Children under five: free. Children weekend ticket with camping: £75. Adult weekend ticket with camping £110.
Top of the bill: Paul Simon, Beverly Knight, The Bangles
Set in the grounds of the impressive Cornbury House, this rock festival aims to attract a more mature audience and families are particularly welcome. In fact you’re likely to find a large number of festival goers with their children or even their grandchildren in tow.
Cornbury is well equipped to entertain kids of all ages- the FUNtastics and the Yogabugs are just a couple of the acts that will be performing in the family tent - and there’s even a funfair to enjoy.
There is also a quiet/family camping area with limited space, where noise is discouraged after 11pm. For an additional £13 Cornbury Festival also guarantees visitors eco-friendly and clean toilet services.
Green credentials: This year Cornbury will be sponsored by carbon neutral car insurers ibuyeco, who have pledged to offset all visitors’ journeys to a net value of zero.
For more information: Cornbury Festival
The Green Man Festival
Date: 15 – 17 August 2008
Location: Glanusk Estate, Wales
Price: Children under 11: free. Adult weekend tickets £105 (this includes children aged 12 and over).
Top of the bill: Super Furry Animals, Spiritualized, Pentangle
This folk and music festival is set in national parkland in Wales and you’ll find acres of green land at your disposal, as well as the Sugarloaf Mountains as a backdrop. Run by musicians, the festival has now stretched to a three-day event with an audience of 10,000.
Despite its growing popularity it hasn’t compromised on its family friendly atmosphere and your children will find lots of musical and non-musical activities to choose from. There is even an animation workshop for kids - the best ones are shown in the cinema tent on the Sunday.
This festival is also one of the cleanest around, with a strong emphasis on litter collection and recycling. The toilets are well maintained and the whole event has managed to retain a village-like vibe - don’t miss the coconut shy over by the duck pond. A good selection of organic food is on offer and there is even a field for breast-feeders organised by the Association of Radical Midwives.
Green credentials: This year the Folk Exchange (open mic sessions) will take place on the Solar Powered Milk Float Stage, giving you a chance to share your talent whilst leaving no carbon footprint.
For more information: The Green Man Festival
2000 Trees Festival
Date: 13th and 14th July
Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Price: Children under 10: free. Youth ticket: £25. Adult day ticket: £25 (does not include camping)
Top of the bill: New Puritans, Art Brut, Frank Turner, 8‘s Matchbox B-Line.
Set on a farm in Gloucestershire and one of the greenest and low-key events around, this festival welcomes just 2000 people every summer. The ethos here is minimal impact on the environment, with local food and drinks in abundance, and a zero waste aim.
There will be more than 40 different local and national bands and artists performing - all of who have been handpicked by the organisers to play. And if you want to get your children back to nature there is a fun trail around Upcote Plantation, which is clearly signposted for easy exploring.
Keeping it green: All power and lighting is produced using locally sourced biodiesel, which at last year’s festival saved more than 2 tonnes of carbon in just one weekend.
For more information: 2000 Trees Festival
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