Deva Fest Review: Our first family camping festival (and why we want to go back every year)
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure how it was going to go. Camping with kids is always a bit risky, and adding a festival into the mix felt slightly ambitious, but it ended up being one of our favourite family weekends of the whole year… The kids still talk about it now, and when we told them we’re going again this year, they were genuinely buzzing.
So if you’re wondering whether Deva Fest is for you, especially with children, here’s our honest review with some tips along the way:
Camping made the experience
We decided to camp, which, in hindsight, completely made the weekend.
There’s something about waking up at a festival that just makes everything feel more relaxed. You’re already there, you can take your time in the morning, grab some breakfast and wander straight into everything that’s going on – and you have three or four days to experience everything!
The first day felt a little bit like we were finding our feet, but by the second day we’d properly settled in. Once we got into the rhythm of it, we honestly didn’t want to leave.
A festival that actually works with kids
One thing that stood out straight away was how family-friendly the whole festival felt. It’s lively and busy, but it never felt chaotic or overwhelming. There were loads of families there, and the atmosphere felt really safe and relaxed. You could wander around without feeling stressed, and there was plenty of space for the kids to explore. It felt more like a big summer event in the countryside than a hectic festival.
The kids’ favourite part: the free rides
If you ask the kids what their highlight was, they won’t hesitate. The rides. The fact that ALL the rides are free in the festival is such a win when you’re there with children. Instead of constantly digging out money for tokens, they could just enjoy themselves. And safe to say they definitely made the most of them.
So much to do during the day
What I loved about Deva Fest is that it isn’t just about the music. There are loads of activities happening throughout the day, which keeps things interesting for everyone. From silent discos, circus workshops to bingo and field games – there was even a sauna area!
Check out the line-up and tickets here
We’re already planning what we want to try this year, and paddleboarding is firmly on the list, along with the spa area! It just means the daytime feels just as full as the evenings, which makes the whole weekend feel really worthwhile.
The VIP area was a nice bonus
We spent quite some time in the VIP area, which was a really nice extra and I would recommend upgrading if you can. It gave us somewhere a bit calmer to sit down and take a breather while still enjoying the festival atmosphere – plus there were nice loos, garden games and a shelter if you needed it. One of the funniest moments of the weekend was playing bingo in there. Not something I ever expected to do at a festival, but it ended up being such a laugh.
The music and atmosphere
Of course, the music is a huge part of the festival. Last year, we welcomed Gloria Gaynor, Happy Mondays and more.
The line-up always brings a mix of big names and nostalgic acts, and this year the acts are looking better than ever. So far, they’ve announced Ronan Keating, James Morrison and Jessie J. And we’re glad to see Dick and Dom’s rave back – that was hilarious and the kids’ first experience at a rave!
And the food… so good
The food deserves a mention too. There were loads of different options across the site, and we ended up trying something different every time we ate. From pizzas, to Parkgate Fish and Chips, to Bao Buns! Everyone was happy!
Was Deva Fest worth it?
Absolutely. It was everything we wanted from a festival – great music, loads for the kids to do, amazing food and a really relaxed atmosphere.
But more than anything, it gave us one of those weekends where everyone genuinely had a brilliant time. And the biggest sign of that? We all are still talking about it months later.
So yes, we’re going back this year, and I have a feeling it might become a bit of a family tradition.
If you have any questions about Deva Fest and are wondering if it’s for you, get in touch on my Instagram, or if I’ve convinced you, go and have a look at their website and book yourselves some tickets. You really won’t regret it.
By Sarah Grant
Image credits Sarah Grant
All opinions expressed are Sarah's own, as always.
