When Nozstock: The Hidden Valley got in touch and asked if we’d like to go to their family-friendly festival in Herefordshire this summer we thought it was the perfect opportunity to pop our family festival cherry!
I’ve never really been a festival goer. I went to Greenbelt (the Christian festival) when I was about 15, and then to Latitude in 2010 but that is the extent of my festival experience. Barry has been to a few more than me (Phoenix ’97 anyone?) but it isn’t something we have ever done together, or with the kids.
For the last few summers I’ve seen lots of my blogging friends going to festivals all over the country and it looked like such good fun. I was always a bit nervous about taking the boys when they were younger in case it was just really hard work, especially as neither of them used to sleep very well at the best of times!
They are much better sleepers now, and Toby will 7 and Gabe nearly 5 at the time of Nozstock so I think we’ll all have a lot more chance of having a great time! Although we’ve not been camping in a tent with them yet we’ve been glamping a few times – we’ll just need to prepare them for the realities of festival camping!
About Nozstock: The Hidden Valley
I’ll be honest and admit I hadn’t actually heard of Nozstock until last year but the more I have found out the more I like the sound of it for our first family festival. Here’s what the organisers have to say:
Nozstock is one of the UK’s longest running festivals and enters its 22nd year, with Into The Great Unknown as its theme. From the dawn of time through to its farthest futuristic reaches, this summer will be its most inspiring and enchanting journey yet.
Set on a beautiful working farm across Thurs 23rd – Sunday 26th July, the intimate odyssey is family-run, home-made and proudly independent. It’s not only one of the UK’s longest running festivals, but also one of the most authentic. Nozstock is an odyssey of wild escapism for all in a wondrous family-friendly environment, which packs in so much detail at every turn.
Nozstock is a relatively small festival, and with its Little Wonderland Kids Area it sounds like it’s going to be a great introduction to festivalling for us as a family. We actually agreed to go to Nozstock before any of the acts had been announced but with the first line-up announcement being made we’re even more excited!
Nozstock Line-up Announcement
There are so many acts that I can’t possibly mention them all – you can find more information about all the acts at Nozstock 2020 here. I was very happy to see Sister Sledge and Bill Bailey on the main stage, and Barry informs me that Andy C is “possibly the world’s best drum & bass DJ and winner of the D&B Arena Awards people’s vote for best DJ every year since it began 10 years ago!” so he was very excited to see him on the line up.
I have to admit I was as excited to hear what is going to be on in the kids’ area as I was about the music. There will be dance workshops, yoga, theatre, and arts and crafts and it all sounds amazing! I’m sure there will be plenty to keep Toby and Gabe entertained all weekend.
Preparing for our first family festival
I’ll be sharing more news from Nozstock between now and the summer, as well as how we are preparing for our first family festival. We’ve already got a big tent, and sleeping bags but that’s about it, so any top tips would be much appreciated!
Are you going to any family-friendly festivals this year?
**Disclosure: We are being provided with tickets for Nozstock in exchange for coverage of the event. All opinions are my own.
