Wilderness Festival – family camping and baby wearing
Earlier in the year, we took the plunge an decided to sign up for the famously family-friendly Wilderness festival. After visiting in 2015, and having experienced the craziness of Glastonbury, we knew that this was the optimum first festival to attend as a family of three. For us, this festival is not about the music, that’s just an extra. There is so much else to see and enjoy; swimming in the river, arts and crafts, delicious food stalls and comedy cricket, to name but a few. We stayed with group of twelve, so the camping experience was a big part of the trip as well.
I must admit, I was a little apprehensive about camping in a tent with an 11 month old! I needn’t have worried. He slept well, and with planning and preparation, we had everything we needed to hand. We also camped in the family field, which meant that no one minded the odd cry and whine. Every morning we had a leisurely wake up and breakfast before heading into the main site, which was just a 10 minute walk away.
Overall we enjoyed the experience and felt we regained a little of ourselves. For me, I felt this especially when we stayed out late to watch headliners Bonobo, dancing to the beats as the baby slept comfortably with his ear defenders on in his sling. I’ve not danced to live music in a while and it felt great! We aren’t certain when we will make a permanent return to the festival circuit though. Watching our friends with toddlers, it seems that going with a child between 18months and 3 years old is harder work – constantly on the look out to make sure they don’t toddle away! After 3 years old, there is more entertainment and distractions for little ones.
Wilderness Festival tips:
- Buddha Bowl, Shepherds Ice Cream and Polental were culinary highlights
- The Wilderness Orchestra “At the cinema” playing music scores from famous films
- Letters live – interesting letters through the ages, read out by various celebrities
- Comedy cricket
- Make something at the Art Studio or the Craft Fields
- Baby Banz ear defenders are a must to protect little ones ears and to let them sleep while you stay out to listen to your favourite band
- Buggies were fine on the dry turf, but for peace of mind, a pull-along trailer or slings are perfect. We are baby-wearing fans, and were happy with a Tula (for me) and a Little Life Explorer (for Olly)
Family of three on a river stroll
Saturday night “Spectacle” laser and music show
We had some patches of rain…
Inside the sticker tent
Festival selfie!
Bike-size spirograph art
“Letters live” at the Atrium
My boys
Cornbury Park – a gorgeous setting
Baby Banz Ear defenders did an incredible job
