Gifford’s Circus

This magical vintage circus has been touring the village greens of south-west England 

since 2000. Roll up for ponies, acrobats, jugglers, Tweedy the vaudeville clown and 

a bit of celeb spotting (everyone from Dawn French to Kate Moss is a fan).

12 May–24 Sep; various venues; giffordscircus.com

Camp Bestival

Family camping trips don’t come much better than this. Good vibes, great music 

(Simple Minds, Orbital, Basement Jaxx), cut-above street food and child-friendly 

entertainment galore.

26-29 July; Lulworth Castle, Dorset campbestival.net

The Good Life Experience

Set in the stunning Hawarden estate in Wales (and near Chester), this family-friendly 

weekend features campside cooking sessions and food foraging as well as a vintage 

funfair and top music line-up. Eat, forage, dance, camp and be merry.

Hawarden Estate, Flintshire thegoodlifeexperience.co.uk

Matilda The Musical

Grab your chance to see this award-winning show without having to take a trip to the 

West End. Matilda the Musical takes its catchy Tim Minchin tunes on the road this 

year with shows in theatres across the UK and Ireland.

5 Mar–12 Jan 2019; various venues; matildathemusical.com

Just So Festival

Midnight feasts, giant pillow fights and fairy hunts in the woods, Just So Festival 

is child heaven. Choose your tribe (fox, frog, stag, owl, fish or lion) and get dressed 

up for the Sunday Wild Rumpus parade celebrating the victors of the festival’s 

annual – and brilliantly bonkers – Tribal Tournament.

17–19 Aug; Rode Hall, Cheshire; justsofestival.org.uk