Elderflower Fields Festival is an award-winning family festival held in the stunning countryside setting of Pippingford Park in the Ashdown Forest in Sussex. This festival is designed specifically for families with younger children and for 2023 we went along to check it out. In short – we LOVED it and we’ve got five reasons why we think you will too.
Outdoor Activities
Elderflower Fields Festival provides an abundance of outdoor activities for children and adults alike. Tumbledown Meadows and Urban Woods offer loads of opportunities to try new sports and stay active during your festival experience – every child has the opportunity to enjoy the sports camp which was a personal highlight for the kid, plus there’s skateboarding lessons and ofcourse our favourite Woodland Tribe where kids are let loose to create their own playground using sustainable wood, saws, hammers and nails. There’s an immersive art trail, mud kitchens and loads more to keep young Londoners occupied.
Arts and Performances
At Elderflower Fields, children can unleash their creativity through various arts and performance activities. From arts and crafts workshops to the epic science dome, the festival offers a range of opportunities for kids to express themselves, however they like. The Moonshine Fandango area hosts a lineup of incredible performers, shows, and activities, including beatboxing workshops and family raves from the likes of Big Fish Little Fish, creating an immersive and entertaining experience for the whole family.
Food, Food, Glorious Food
Food is a significant part of the Elderflower Fields experience, and the festival offers a wide range of delicious eats to satisfy all appetites – everything we tasted was good quality and value for money. We particularly enjoyed the Pad Thai, calamari and kebab options. There is loads on offer. Local food providers in Lazy Glades serve up the best culinary delights, and on Sunday, everyone is invited to the Dragonfly Stage for a “taste of Sussex” family picnic. Here, you can sample local goodies from independent small suppliers while meeting some new people attending the festival.
Natural Adventures
The festival’s “Into The Trees” section is a wonderland of woodland exploration and adventure. Kids can have a cooking session in the forest under the fire, they can learn forest skills, enjoy poetry poetry, and other nature-focused activities that will spark their curiosity and appreciation for the natural world. Additionally, hidden waterways offer the chance to hire kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, or take part in the family raft building challenge, providing exciting water-based experiences. We hired a canoe and enjoyed a peaceful hour in the afternoon away from the main festival site. We saw a water snake, counted dragon flies and learnt all about water lillies. It was bliss.
Relaxed fun for the family
While the kids are busy having fun, Elderflower Fields Festival ensures that adults can relax and enjoy themselves too. Supervised arts and sports camp sessions allow parents to check into the Woodland Spa or indulge in a cocktail or two. The festival’s spacious campsite offers plenty of camping options, ensuring everyone gets a good night’s sleep and there are proper flushable toilets throughout the site. And for those seeking some nighttime entertainment, the family-friendly silent disco in the woods provides a late-night dance experience. The day culminates with the Big Family Dance Off, bringing the festival’s fancy dress theme to life.
Elderflower Fields Festival is the perfect family-friendly event where children and adults can connect in a stunning countryside setting, it is a great starter festival and you will love it. We can’t wait to experience it again next year. Tickets for 2024 have already gone on sale and the earlybird weekend adult price is £154. More info and booking here.