Top 5 festivals for 2012

Compared to long-established giants like Glastonbury and Reading, Latitude is a relative newcomer to the festival scene, having only started in 2006. But it has quickly become a favourite – earning the (possibly unwanted) title of ‘the middle class festival’. While other festivals are covered by Radio 1 or 2, Latitude is probably the only one that is broadcast live on Radio 4. As well as being posher, the audience here is probably a little older than the usual festival crowd so everything is a bit more refined.

The music on offer reflects the more mature tastes of the audience, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This year’s line-up is, in my view, the best of any festival this summer, but then I’m quite old and posh (well, old anyway). As well as four stages of music, there is theatre, art, comedy, cabaret, poetry, politics, dance and literature. Despite a couple of scare stories a few years back, for its size it’s generally considered to be a laid back, safe festival.

The following statement on the website probably tells you everything you need to know about the festival clientele. “Latitude is an open air non-seated event - some seating is available in the Obelisk Arena and there are picnic benches in the arena and deckchairs by the lake.” They might have added: “And don’t forget your Cath Kidston blanket”. Joking apart, this is one of the highlights of the festival season and is well worth a visit.
 

Where? Broughton Hall, North Yorkshire

Chic, Inner City and the Charlatans are three of my all time favourites so I’m determined to make it along to this one. The rest of the bill at this boutique festival is not bad either. The venue, historic Broughton Hall in North Yorkshire, is a lovely spot and the festival, now in its third year, is a relaxed, easy going event with plenty going on whether you’ve got children with you or not.

Make sure you enter our competition to win a pair of tickets to The Magic Loungeabout this July - just click here to enter!     

This is the baby sister festival to the award-winning Bestival event and has racked up various awards in its own right including the Best Family Festival, not once but twice (2009 and 2010). It takes place at Lulworth Castle, against the backdrop of Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic coastline, one of my favourite places in Britain.

Camp Bestival is the brainchild of Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, who says he was inspired by British holiday camps of the past – sort of Hi-De-Hi with a twist. The music line-up is typically diverse, featuring Happy Mondays, Chic, Rolf Harris and Mr Tumble and as well as the main stage there’s the Big Top, Bandstand, Insect Circus Stage, Bollywood Tent and the Black Dahlia for Come Dancing dance-offs. Comedy (featuring Jimmy Carr), spoken word and Theatre in the Woods mean it’s not just musical entertainment on offer. Kids activities are hugely important to the Camp Bestival experience, although the thought of former drugs smuggler Howard Marks reading children’s stories does worry me slightly.

Of course, camping is available with the usual array of tipis, yurts, pods bell tents and gypsy caravans as well as traditional tent camping. Helpfully, parking is close to the campsites. A lot of thought has gone into making the festival as relaxing as possible. For example, while you wait in the queue for a hot shower you can enjoy tea and toast. There will be a farmers’ market selling local produce and the local Women’s Institute will be providing cake and tea. You won’t get that at Download...

Where? Escot Park, Devon

Beautiful Days is the festival run by veteran crusties the Levellers who, unsurprisingly, are one of the bands playing at this year’s event – the festival’s 10th anniversary. Beautiful Days is currently the holder of the Best Family Festival title, although you might want to make sure your youngsters have their earplugs when famed potty-mouth John Lydon takes the stage with his band PiL. One of my favourites, the Inspiral Carpets, are among the many bands lined up to appear on the six stages.

It’s probably no surprise that this festival enjoys a slightly hippy-ish reputation – a throwback to festivals of old. There is no corporate sponsorship, no branding and it doesn’t advertise. Its family-friendly credentials are boosted by the large children’s area in the centre of the festival and the family camping area. In addition there’s comedy, theatre, a healing area, licensed real ale bars from Otter Brewery and carefully selected food and craft stalls. Sunday is dressing up day with all festival-goers encouraged to join in and wear something that fits the soon-to-be-announced theme. Previous themes have included Spots and Polka Dots, Flower Power and Stripes.

www.hopfarmfestival.com

With exclusive UK festival appearances from Bob Dylan, Peter Gabriel and Suede, this is going to be one of the hottest tickets around this summer. Hop Farm was set up four years ago by the man formerly behind the Reading Festival to address the feeling among music fans that they were at the bottom of the pecking order. The organisers decided to go “back to basics” and create a festival that was all about the punter and the music. This means no sponsorship or corporate branding, no VIPs and free entry for children aged 12 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.

Previous headliners have included superstars like Prince, Morrissey, the Eagles, Paul Weller, Van Morrison and Neil Young so you’d have to say the event has had its fair share of big names. In addition to the live music, entertainment will include a fun fair, late night comedy and the Ultimate Indie Disco, Unlike most of the other festivals we’re featuring in this issue, it’s a big event but one that does retain some of the ethos of the smaller festivals.

For more festivals this summer, make sure you get the May12 issue of Camping, or Summer 2012 Go Camping, on sale now.