The Big Retreat Wales 2019 - Review

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If you have visited my blog before you may already know that not only do we love to travel but we also love camping at festivals over the summer and we kicked of this summer season with a real corker that was The Big Retreat Wales, which in my opinion has one of the best locations, in West Wales.

Before I get in too deep about our time at the festival I would like to explain a little bit more about The Big Retreat as it's not what you would normally expect, in a good way. The Big Retreat otherwise know as The Feel good festival, is all about getting active, wellbeing and also finding space to relax and enjoy the moment. It's a weekend to try new things, connect with other like-minded health inspired peers and soak in the West Wales landscape. Now you may be thinking that a festival that focuses mainly around health, wellbeing and fitness activities wouldn't be that family friendly but you couldn't be more wrong and here is why

Location and Campsite

The Big Retreat is located in the UK's only coastal national park in Lawrenny in the heart of Pembrokeshire, one of our favourite places in Wales and if you haven't been to this part of the UK then I do recommend it as the coastline is incredibly beautiful. While the festival encourages car sharing there is a carpark within a walled garden, right next to the festival.

What I really like about The Big Retreat was the size, it's not overwhelming and everything is close together. As I was at the festival on my own with the two boys this was a worry for me but I really needn't have worried as the campsite is only a 5min walk from the carpark and 1 min from the festival site, making it one of the easiest festivals to navigate with no long exhausting walks involved.

The campsite also has great facilities and is perfect for families, lots of fresh taps and running water, plenty of well-kept toilets that are regularly cleaned and refilled with toilet roll, as well as hot showers. You can also opt for a glamping option which is what we did and had a Bell Tent with futon beds and while we camp a lot this one of the most comfortable festival experiences I've had, we all slept so well.

Family Friendly Festival Features

While the Big Retreat is a small and more intimate festival it still offers so much to keep children entertain and involved. Kids have their own timetable of activities on offer including family Yoga which we took part in, as well as bushcraft skills, crafting & art club sessions and evening kids disco and bedtime stories. On the campsite, there is also a football pitch and as the weather was lovely and warm kids from across the campsite came to play in a game of football, including my eldest, which was a lovely change to make new friends over the weekend.

Besides the activity timetable, there is also a dedicated kids area which included circus skills, trampolines, rope powered swings, sandpit and climbing frame and of course plenty of space to run and explore. The music lineup was also well thought out and family friendly and each night we really enjoyed sitting and tucking into some freshly baked pizza while watching the live acts.

There wasn't ever a point in the weekend when there was not something going on but at the same time we didn't feel overwhelmed by it and I loved the focus on the simple and natural things and as always a lovely step away from technology. My son also loved the Surfers against Sewage tent which encouraged children to make things out of plastic found at local beaches as well as educate them about reducing plastic. Another bonus is all these activities are included in the price of the ticket.

My eldest holding up the crystal suncatcher he made.

Food and Facilities

This year there were plenty of food options for the whole family and for all dietary requirements including lots of vegan and vegetarian options from sustainable and local providers. The wood-fired pizza oven was a hit of course as well as the fresh vegan falafel wraps, Halloumi burgers and fresh fruit juices on offer. There were also plenty of places to grab a snack from the Handlebar Barista (a local to Cardiff), cashew nut ice-cream and baked goods from Ridiculously Rich Cakes to name a few and of course a Gin Bar which I may have sampled once or twice over the weekend.

The site again has great facilities in terms of freshwater stations, clean toilets and there was also a clear focus on being as low waste as possible with food retailers using biodegradable packaging and reusable cups as well as plenty well-marked bins across the site.

Overall

We had a blast, it was the perfect kind of weekend for us, relaxing and inspiring but also with plenty to see and do in an unrivalled location. Unlike other festivals, it's a far more relaxed atmosphere where savouring the simple things in life is at the forefront, thinking mindfulness and meditation followed by some freshly pressed fruit juice, an inspiring talk in the talk tent of cooking tent then warming yourself next to the firepit and enjoying some fantastic live music from the small but perfectly formed main stage.

This festival has certainly captured a special place in our heart and if you're looking for a festival that really does offer something for both you and your kids then I highly recommend The Big Retreat.

Early bird tickets are already on sale for 2020 and a reduced rate, although this won't last forever. Also, children 5 and under go free and 6-17yr at a very budget-friendly concession rate.

Disclaimer - I was offered tickets in exchange for an honest review, words & thoughts 100% my own