Big Feastival has Food and Fun for Whole Family

I can be easy to understand why some people get a bit jealous of child- free friends in the summer months. Of course it's always great to see everyone having fun in the sun, but as dedicated record fanatics it can be difficult to see all the amazing Instagrams snaps from some of the best (slightly less baby friendly) music festivals in the world—Wireless, Glastonbury (have been & I know they encourage families but we will be going when the boys are a bit older) etc to name a few.

Mr A having fun at The Beyond the Border festival last year

We are not complaining though as there are now tons of fantastic festivals aimed at not only teens and youthful festival goers but also families with small children and we are actually planning on going to Camp Bestival and Just So Festival this year and we also recently came across an amazing family friendly foodie one that is the Big Feastival up in Oxfordshire. The festival is curated and organised by Blur bassist Alex James and celebrity chef Jamie Oliver for three days of music, food and fun for friends and families. This year's event will take place from August 28 to 30 and will be held at James' private farm in the Cotswolds.

The Feastival, now in its fifth year, brings together many different flavours of arts and culture for what British Airways calls "an exciting fusion of live music, boutique bars, artisan food stalls and lifestyle markets." Nearly 16,000 people made their way out to the region for last year's event and it's looking like this year's edition will be even bigger


This particular summer spectacular combines all of our favourite loves of terrific live music and great food shared with family for a music festival for a gentler generation. The convergence of family fun is also free of charge for children under 12, making it ideal for a family gathering. There's even a spot just for the younglings called the "Little Dudes' Den." 

Festival goers will have the opportunity to get down to musical performances from revered DJs like Groove Armada (I see you, baby) and the legendary Grandmaster Flash himself on the ones and twos along with the likes of Roots Manuva, Badly Drawn Boy, Dizzee Rascal and new wave icons Heaven 17. There will also be a dizzying display of delectable dishes and demos from some of the best chefs in Britain including Jamie Oliver, hungry Frenchman Raymond Blanc and new food blog scene queen Ella Woodward.


Did you know that the Blur pop star is actually a passionate cheesemaker and has been crafting both artisan and everyday cheese varieties for nearly ten years? The man has some serious chops when it comes to cheese and even served as a judge at the 2010 British Cheese Awards. At the festival this year, cheese-heads will be in for a treat at "Alex's Cheese Hub," where attendees can take in talks, tastes and even buy some treats from the creamery of the "Coffee and TV" bassist.

According to The Telegraph, the festival also raises funds for the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation. “I want every child leaving school at 16 to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to understand where food comes from, how to cook it and how it affects their body,” Oliver said. The Food Foundation is a charity with a mission to educate young children to grow and cook fresh foods. It also helps to train those who have left school for careers in the restaurant industry.

Between the family-friendly atmosphere, wealth of fantastic food and impeccably curated musical line-up, one hardly has to twist our arms to get to the Feastival each summer. Who says a couple of geezers have to give up on all the good things in life?