Stokes Bay – a great festival for all ages

Ade Edmondson & the Bad Shepherds

29 July – 2 August
Hampshire

Set on the sunny south coast, and with careful oraganisation taking into account festival fans of all ages, Stokes Bay is a fantastic festival with a holiday feel.

With a site between Portsmouth and Southampton, with views over the Solent during Cowes Week, the festival  is close to the seafront with grassed fields and campsite complete with ‘Posh Wash’ showers and lots more quality toilets.

In fact all the facilities are about as good as you can get at a festival. There is a quiet policy in the campsites after 10pm, which must come as a sigh of relief to parents trying to get some sleep before the inevitable 6am kids’ wake-up call.

But what about the music? Well, it’s not exactly cutting edge, with folk acts always prominent, although there are always some real gems in the Stokes Bay lineup. This year’s bands include The Zutons, The Proclaimers, Ade Edmondson and the Bad Shepherds, and the ubiquitous Saw Doctors. See the full line up here.

But away from the main stages, there are lots of activities and entertainments, including a busy kid’s area and cinema. Food stalls include cream teas and real ales, and the nearby village bistros and hotels ensure you’re never too far from civilisation should you need it.

Could this be the perfect family festival? Send us your reviews and show us your photos from Stokes Bay.

Family Festival rating: 9/10

More information: Stokes Bay Festival official website