Last year Big Family Festival was an Award-Nominated festival, this year there was pressure upon them to meet that standard again.
I was so excited as it was also our very first family camping trip as well. My O.H. doesn’t like camping but in my hopefulness – I have a mission to convert him.
The day before, we were sent an email by the organiser of what to pack and what to expect for the event once we got there.
Day 1
We set off late at midday as my O.H. couldn’t get off work earlier on Friday and we arrived at the campsite at 2pm. The weather was a little dreary, with spells of rain lingering in the air.
Putting a brand new Mountain Warehouse – 6 persons tent up that we both had no experience off before had took its toll. Us being a total novice and all – it only took us an hour and a half figuring out how to put the tent up.
Once the tent was up, we went to check out the festival. Yep, it was drizzling, but still there were people there dancing in the rain or sitting to watch the entertainment at the outdoor cinema – even though it was a little cold. E&E had never been to the cinema before, and they were in awe watching the big screen.
Adjacent to it was a Steak Pie Shop, severed by the most friendliest people and the price (£3) for a pie was reasonable too. Ethan said it was the most delicious steak pie he had ever had! That’s what you want isn’t it on a rainy day – a nice warm steak pie to fill up your belly.
Day 2
Gosh! What a night! Heavy Rain and wild wind was not quite the vision I had in mind for an ideal first family camping trip, but lucky our Mountain Warehouse kept us alive and well.
Once, we had breakfast – we were ready to set off for another adventure at the festival. The sky was beaming sunshine which was perfect for E&E to go and enjoy their rides. The rides prices ranges from £2 – £3.50. This is exceptionally very reasonable compared to some of the seasonal fairs we’ve been to.
When we had enough of the rides, Evelyn could hear “Let It Go…” singing away from the big white marquee. Her enthusiasm running across the field has never been seen before! She sprinted across so fast I was having a hard time catching up with her. Eventually, when she made it, she was in such spellbound to the Disney Princesses. And of course – she had to take a photo or two with the Princesses, and a brief hug too!
This is also when we had a little sit down while the kids go off and did some colouring on the walls area provided.
There were also a PlayDough Model Making Workshop going on but it was fully booked and so the next sessions after too. A little disappointed – but never mind, I don’t think E&E are quite ready for for model making with all of this fun going around.
We decided to come back to our tent and test out the Mountain Warehouse stove cooker. So in went the packed noodles and sausages into the family pot. This kind of food was perfect for camping. Its quick and easy. Its warm and delicious too!
For the afternoon entertainment, we took to the stage where Ethan wanted to meet the Star Trek Characters up close. Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Stormtrooper were all there. I had no idea that my boy is such a fan! Things you learn about them that you never knew. lol!
I also enjoyed The Little Mix Show too. This time with my full pint in my both hands. Haha! They were extremely good! Both The Little Mix Show and the pint – though the pint was rather expensive, (£6).
When the evening arrived, I just left the boys to it at the festival and Evelyn and I came back to the tent. We had a bit of a mommy & daughter time whilst the boys were having theirs. We played with the Mountain Warehouse Flying Missile and a few games of Catch balls. It was good fun. I enjoyed that. I enjoyed our time together.
Day 3
OH-MY-GOSH! You think the first night was bad, but last night was the mother of all rain! It just kept pouring non-stop from 8pm right through to 8am. It was pretty miserable. E&E kept waking up and it was ridiculously difficult to get them back to sleep.
Today’s sky seem to have two minds – one minute it was bursting out with heat and the next it was tipping it down – such a typical British weather this is.
Anyhow, today was our last day at the camp – so we decided to pack up before we check out the festival for the last time before we head home. Packing up the tent was definitely quicker than setting up. See I’m a pro now. Haha
E&E had a few more goes on the rides and it took me by surprised that Evelyn wanted to have a go at the Free Circus School. Ethan on-the-other-hand has no interest in it whatsoever.
Sing was on the big screen and E&E wanted to watch it. Of course we couldn’t leave without an opportunity to have more steak pies for one last time and huddled up in front of the talking animals in front of us. I haven’t seen Sing before and I must say I rather enjoyed that.
To Sum Up…
The highlight…
Festival:
- I love that it is not overly crowded and that there were room for the kids to run around freely and safely.
- There were hardly any queuing. It was such a friendly and chill atmosphere.
- The rides were at reasonable prices.
- The Music Festival area was well organised & Amazing!
- The ticketing entrance system and car parking assistances were well organised, friendly and efficient.
- You will received a wrist band which you can come in and out anytime.
- The security there is on top form. You would need to write your mobile phone number and name down before placing it on your child’s wrist. In case, your child is missing – they can contact you.
- There were plenty of food and drinks stalls at the venue.
- Plus there were local stalls of full of lots of handcrafts stuffs and vintage things too.
Campsite:
- There were plenty of room for camping at the camping site, which was great for children to roam around – freely and safely.
- The potable loo was surprisingly rather clean than expected and never rans out of toilet tissue paper ether! (Though I always carry some spares – just in case.)
- There was floodlights at the campsite – this meant we can see at night an navigate to the toilets – just in case nature calls!
The drawbacks…
Festival:
- You would need to book in advance if you wish to do any workshops. It gets full up rather quickly.
- The pints were a bit pricy. Perhaps, pricier than London?!
Campsite:
- There was no designated washing area to wash up the utilities – only a water point. This meant that all the soaps and washing up liquids would go straight into the ground. Hence, Bad for the environment!
- The RAIN!
Would we go again?
Yes! Not just E&E had a fantastic time there – we all did. Well… almost… my O.H. still thinks I must be crazy camping in the rain! lol!
Ethan loves the big screen. He wishes to have one at home. Haha And – of course the steak pies. (Note to self: find out how to make steak pies.)
For Evelyn, her highlight was again meeting the Disney Characters and giving Elsa a huge hug. Though she begged me to go on the Crazy Jungle for the third time. lol!
For me – the musical festival area totally rocked it, plus I love how relax the total atmosphere was overall.
My O.H. seem to agree with me on that one.
We would definitely go again but perhaps this time, please can you summoned the sun to shine! xx
Here’s a little vlog to sum up our weekend at the Big Family Festival.
“Pin Me”
Rain during tent camping is one of my mom nightmares!
#fridayfrolics
lol! She not alone. xx
It’s not crazy to camp in the rain, if you’re prepared for it!! It sounds like you still had such a great time, and the memories will be great!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
#FabFridayPost
Indeed. We’ll definitely be more prepared next year.
Sounds like fun but I must admit that I probably would have packed up my tent when it started to rain… OH who am I kidding I wouldn’t have been able to last in a tent even in good weather.
lol! Perhaps, Glamping? x
Wow! Camping too, that’s a real festival. I’ve not camped with kids yet and I’m going to have to be more organised. #FabFridayPosts
Yes, being organised can help but I still can’t stop the rain. lol! xx
Sounds like a great first festival and well done for sticking it out in the rain! We had similar weather at the festivals we visited recently. Never heard of this one so going to look it up. Let us know when you crack the steak pies 😉 popping over from #countrykids x
Thank you very much. It was tough but we stick with it. Yes, do look them up. Haha! I will do re: steak pie. xx
It looks like you had a wonderful time despite the rain. Lucky that most fell overnight – though getting the kids to sleep in that is never easy! I’m not a camper but I love the idea of the day time activities and this one looks a good size with something for the kids and adults to enjoy. I hope you get to return again next year.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
I know! If it was during the day – it would have been very disappointing. I hope so too. That would be awesome! Thank you for hosting. x
The weather certainly gave your tent and novice campers a good test run. The festival sounds like fun. Am I the only one wishing I had a steak pie now? #CountryKids
Yes! It did indeed! We survived and the tent didn’t get blown away. Haha
Teehee – the steak pie was so good! I totally forgot to take a photo of it. Too busy easting. lol!
Thanks for popping by. x
Just popping back to answer your question about the animated photos. It is not an app, just part of the html code for the image. Happy to share how to do it, if you like.
Oh yes please! Please can you send to: ethan.n.evelyn@gmail.com Much appreciated. xx
Looks like great fun! Shame about the pricey pints!
I know… only if they can bring it down – just a little bit bearable.
Enjoyed reading this but Please tell us the actual price of the pint x
It’s already on the blog. Under Day 2, underneath the Star War’s photo. The pint was rather expensive – £6.
Looks like a great festival but what a shame about the rain. Although it doesn’t look like it spoilt the fun!
#countrykids
I know. The sleep was tough. But the festival was great fun, which kind of balanced things out.
I saw a lot of your photos from the festival over on Instagram and it looked like you had a fab time! I am definitely going to have to look into this! #fabfridaypost
We did indeed! Thank you for following us on IG too! xx
This sounds like a good family festival and I do love that the food is such a reasonable price. #Countrykids
It sure was. That’s right! At these kind of festival. It can become very expensive weekend indeed.
Looks like you had a great time aside from the rain. I love camping but only with proper nice toilets and shower blocks. No festival camping for me! #countrykids
I know! The rain was a little bit of a pain. I do missed my shower there I have to say. But perhaps we’ll try glamping on our next adventures. x
This sounds like such a fun festival….I like that things are not over priced. It looks like you had such a great time. It’s a shame about the weather but it doesn’t look like it ruined the trip too much. #CountryKids
I like that you. Good for the pocket. Yes, the rain did get to us a little bit, but we did managed to have some fun despite that. Thank you for popping by. x
Such a shame about all the rain we have had recently, your tent looks ace though and I am glad it kept you all nice and dry. We’ve never tried a festival but each time I read a post like yours I get a little more tempted. Mich x #CountryKids
Yes, I think if the tent wasn’t up to the standard we would have given up a long time ago. lol! x
You’re very brave, staying out in a tent in all that weather! It looks like it was worth it though, you all seemed to have lots of fun at the festival! #FabFridayPost
Thanks… I do hope we don’t have to go through that again. lol! x
Oh England how we would love to rely on you for some decent prolonged camping sunshine!!
I’m sorry about all that rain. I hope it’s not put your OH off going camping again.
Looks like you still managed to have fun. I love hearing rain on the tent, as long as none of the water gets in. Your days didn’t seem to be too wet- better that way round?!
Thanks for all your hard #FabFridayPost work x
Oh no! It’s not your fault! Well… maybe as it is so near to Birmingham and you were not there to enjoy it with me. Haha
Even though, it did put me O.H. camping but I’m going to make him come again anyway. (Oh! I can be so evil! Haha)
Oh the tent proved itself worthy in the end. But if the rain was any more harder than this then we all would have been sleeping in the car. lol!
Thanks for co-hosting with me Sarah. You are fabulous! xx
SU, that looks like so much fun, even tough you were tormented with rain. We have never camped and I’m a bit frightened of the idea — you and your beautiful family made it look so easy and fun! Nice post all around! #FabFridayPost xoxo
Tormented! That was the word I was looking for. You are absolutely right!
Well… I wouldn’t say it was easy but it was fun.
I think Glamping would be the thing for you. I’ll see if I can do some glamping reviews just for you. 😉 xx
I’ve never heard of this festival but it sounds great. Looks like there is a lot to do for the whole family. I will have to try and find something like this for next year as I think my little boy would love it. I’m glad you still enjoyed it despite the weather. You’re seasoned campers now! Where will your next adventure be. Thanks for linking up #AdventureCalling
It is really good. Very friendly place and not over crowded at all. Lots of variety things to do for the kids.
Haha I literally just asked in your other post how this went for you. It sounds like despite the weather and beer prices you had a really good time. It’s a sign of a good festival if you can still enjoy it in the wet. Thanks for joining us on #adventurecalling I hope you can again this week.
Oh yes, we did still managed to have a good time. Oh the rain!! lol! Thanks for hosting. 🙂