Pip and Posy Play at Blenheim Palace
Now open through 2027
What toddler doesn’t adore Pip and Posy, the charming duo created by the great Axel Scheffler? Now small folk can delve deeper into the world of everyone’s favourite rabbit and mouse at Blenheim Palace’s Adventure Play. Fun, no? This enchanting trail invites young adventurers to follow Jamila’s magic pebble through a rainbow-themed treasure hunt, complete with 3D character installations, themed activities, and audio snippets. Perfect for preschoolers and early primary school children. A Palace And Play Pass costs £41 per child, £51 per adult and £165 per family. Get the info.
Gone Wild Festival – Norfolk & Devon
Norfolk: August 7–10, 2025
Devon: August 21–24, 2025
Hosted by Bear Grylls, this family-focused festival combines adventure with music. Expect survival skills workshops (what else, with Grylls at the helm?), archery, rock climbing, and obstacle courses, making it an exciting and interactive experience for the whole gamut of ages. Look out for some very special guests – from Maddie Moate and Andy and the Odd Socks for the littles, and the likes of Professor Green and Ministry of Sound Classical for bigger revellers. Weekend tickets for a family of four (2 adults, 2 U18s) cost £513.15, while individual adult tickets are £242. Evening tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings are £42.50. Book it.
The Big Feastival – Kingham, Oxfordshire
August 22 – 24, 2025
Set on Alex James’s farm in Kingham (recently named Britain’s poshest village – Daylesford Organic and The Wild Rabbit are down the road, after all), The Big Feastival blends music, food, and family entertainment. Enjoy world-class chef demos, top-tier food stalls, fairground rides, live shows, and hands-on creative workshops, all in a deeply convivial atmosphere. This year’s stellar names include Oxfordshire’s food legend Raymond Blanc, comedian Lou Sanders fresh from her stellar The Last Laugh appearance, Nelly Furtado, Travis and Alex James himself (who’ll be joined by a slew of special guests for a Britpop classical extravaganza). Fun for everyone – even if little ones prefer the rides to the 90s nostalgia fest on stage. Single day tickets (without camping) start at £93.50 for adults, £62.50 for teens, £14.50 for children under 12, and are free for the under-5s. Book it.
Summer Splash Lido – Royal Docks, London
July 25 – August 17, 2025
Run don’t walk to this brilliant new public lido offering free outdoor swimming with stunning views of the city skyline. In addition to swimming, visitors can enjoy sandpits for children, deckchair lounging, live DJ sessions, and a wood-fired sauna, making it a perfect spot for family relaxation. Did we mention it’s free? Music to the ears of parents and their overactive wallets everywhere this summer hols. Get the info.
Festival of Sport – Packington Estate, Warwickshire
August 1 – 4, 2025
An exciting weekend filled with diverse sports activities for children aged five to 17 – think everything from skipping to lacrosse to rowing to medieval sword fighting and circus skills. See, we said it was diverse. Featuring expert coaching and interactions with sporting legends, there’s also the more trad likes of rugby, hockey, cricket to explore in this picturesque location. Though the focus is on igniting a love of sport for kids, there are activities for adults too, from sporting taster sessions to fun runs to yoga in the grounds of this knock-out stately home. Children under five go free, while day tickets for an adult and child together are £175. Book it.
Into The Trees Festival – Ashdown Forest, Sussex
September 6 – 8, 2025
They may be back at school by this point, but the start of a new term need not spell the end of all the fun. Soften the blow of another summer drawing to a close by hot footing it to Ashdown Forest for Into The Trees, which organisers sweetly call ‘a wonderful weekend of slow-motion adventure’. A festival focusing on nature, encouraging families to step away from screens and get hands-on with the outdoors, activities include tree climbing, pond dipping, den building, and bushcraft. Perfect for children (and grown-ups) who love to explore and learn in a natural environment. Adults are £65 and kids £40. Book it.
