I’m not really a fan of festivals – I always imagine muddy fields, tents and music not to my taste. But my other half was googling for things to do at the weekend and discovered the Caversham Music Festival and Readipop – a free FAMILY festival at Reading on July 10th – 12th. It sounded quite fun with all the family activities, so we thought we would check it out on Saturday. I am soooo glad we did, it was brilliant! We were lucky enough to find a parking space on Cardinal Close, just by Christchurch Meadows where the festival was at. We first saw a very picturesque scene, with canal boats along the River Thames, ducks and geese – but where was the festival? Ahh, we looked to our left, and you could not miss it haha!
It was such a buzzing atmosphere, with stalls along the edge, and a whole side of amusements – helter skelter, a punch and judy stand, bouncy castle, ferris wheel, families sat on the grass and a little tent in the middle with a band singing. We were a little hungry, so got some Sweet n Sour noodles from one of the food stalls. Tyler had some pasta that we brought with us.
We set up at picnic spot and had our little picnic. Tyler, then full of energy, just ran around in circles around our patch.
It was there we noticed another sectioned off part of the festival. This was were the main part of the festival was held, with the music acts. There was a £2 donation entrance fee, and we were in. There were more adults in this section, but still loads of families too with young children and babies. We went to the rock tent where a young band were playing and Tyler was mesmerised. He looked so cute standing next to the adults, watching the band.
Then we moved to the centre, set up our little area on the grass, and had milkshakes from another stall. I had an Oreo Cookie Milkshake and G had a Mint Aero Milkshake and Tyler drank from both of ours!
The ‘Otter’s Hall of Optical Illusions’ was to our left, and suddenly there was a huge crowd, so something was happening. I saw a girl on a giant box through the crowd. Not something you see every day.
We moved to the front and chilled out on the grass for ages. We lay back and watch the clouds in the blue sky, while Tyler played with his cars around us. An act started in the main tent, announcing he was going to educate us on ‘roots’ music. It was sort of sleepy caribbean music with a bass. Children were dancing around us, grown-ups were having a drink, a really happy, relaxed atmosphere. I could have fallen asleep in the sun.
After a while, we went back to the family area. There was a stall selling little trains with letters that caught Tyler’s attention. Each train cost 80p, so we bought his name for £4. We thought we’d go for a walk along the river before we headed back home. Amongst the boats was the Sweetie Barge – what a cool idea to sell retro sweets in a jar from a boat.
The walk was so so pretty, with blue benches dotted along the way. Tyler said hello to practically every duck and goose – and there were loads.
I’ve really changed my mind about festivals now, and would definitely take my boy to more family ones – especially seeing how much he enjoyed the music. Looks like we have a little rock fan here. And it just shows, you’re never too young.
Sabrina x
Those milkshakes look delicious!
What a fabulous way to spend a day.
I’m making a long visit to the UK this summer so I’m hoping to find similar events to enjoy with my little one.
#MummyMonday
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Oh they were delicious 🙂 It was a really fun day, definitely recommend a mini-festival. There’ll be loads more around the country I’m sure! xx
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Not a fan of festivals either, but this looks really fun! #mummymonday
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Haha glad it’s not just me, but yeah definitely recommend a family festival – it was really fun! xx
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Wow, this sounds so awesome! And the milkshakes sound delicious 🙂
#TwinklyTuesday
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Yes it was thanks x
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wow, that looks like so much fun! and the milkshakes sound delicious 🙂
#TwinklyTuesday
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Yes it was thanks x
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That looks like a fabulous festival for kids! I love the sweetie barge too, what an excellent idea for a boat. I think we’ll need to try a festival with the kids next year, I’ve heard of a lot of great ones recently! Thanks for linking up with #whatevertheweather linky! 🙂 x
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Yes it was so fun, I really wasn’t expecting anything from it. But yeah I definitely recommend going with kiddies, I saw loads of mums with newborn babies! Really family-friendly. We just googled and found this one, but I’m sure there will be more in other towns over the summer xx
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Looks excellent…the vibrant colours, music and milkshakes!
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Yes that’s it, the vibrant colours – it was really lovely to look at on a sunny day. So much fun xx
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I love festivals! I can’t wait to introduce Evie to them.
This festival looks amazing for families.
I’ve never heard of it before. There’s so much to do! I’ve never seen a magic show before so I would have been hooked on the optical illusions and the sweetie barge is so cute. What an amazing idea for a little shop!
Thank you so much for linking up to the new #whatevertheweather linky. 😀
Chloe xxx
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Oh yes you should take her to one! There were mums there with newborn babies! This one was by Reading in Berkshire, but I’m sure there’ll be some in Cornwall this summer. We just googled ‘free festivals’ and found it. I was really surprised how family friendly it was, and how there was so many activities. The magic show gave it a quirky twist! Love the sweetie barge too, it was really popular! xx
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Oh my this sounds and looks absolutely amazing. Will you be going next year and if so please can you remind me so I can tell everyone! So many people are after exactly this sort of thing and a recommendation like this is brilliant.
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It was brilliant, I was so surprised how family friendly it was and how there were so many activities. Yes we’ll definitely go again, they do it annually which is great. We just googled ‘free festivals’ and found it, but I’m sure there’s loads more over the summer in different towns. In fact, I just found this website with loads of events: http://www.free-events.co.uk/
xx
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This looks brilliant. Is it an annual festival do you know?
We’re in Fleet so it’s only half an hour away for us and if we’d have known about it would have definitely gone. It’s great to have a more family orientated type festival.
Sounds like your little boy enjoyed himself. Our little boy has just turned one, so I can imagine him loving wandering around it next year if it’s on.
Laura x
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Yes it’s an annual festival, so you definitely should go next year, it was so much fun! It was lovely having so many families and children running around, a really good atmosphere xx
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Do you know what? I have always thought this isn’t my cup of tea but the idea of a festival is starting to grow on me, it looks so great x
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Same here, I’ve always been like, festivals – no thank you! But this family friendly one was so much nicer, a really good atmosphere, and no mud 🙂 Really recommend it xx
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Aah, this looks like so much fun! I used to love a good festival in my pre-toddler days and this one is so close to us, I will definitely have to look out for it next year!
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It was fab, and yeah it’s annual, you should definately go next year. Your festival days aren’t over yet 🙂 xx
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Would love to take Monkey to a festival … this sounds like a great one – its just trying to convince the other half!! #whatevertheweather
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Ooh I hope you can convince him, it was so much fun! xx
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I have always been put off festivals for the same kind of reasons too, but this looks great. I am very tempted to give it a go next year. Thanks for sharing this on #SummerDays – hope to see you again next week.
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Glad it’s not just me put of by festivals! But this one was really fun, totally recommend it. And no mud haha! xx
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What fun! Here is Texas, my concern is more for dust than mud, but I understand where you’re coming from. Glad you had a great time! Thanks for linking with #TwinklyTuesday.
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Oh gosh, dust! I would never go to a festival then haha! Luckily no mud or dust at this festival, just how I like it 😉 xx
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Looks like you had a fantastic day! I’ve never been to a festival with my kids but I think I would take them to a family friendly one if there was one close to us. Thanks for linking up with #summerdays xxx
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It was so much fun, totally recommend going to a family friendly one. We just googled it and found it, you never know there might be one near you! xx
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