We have just got back from our first family festival – Gone Wild in Norfolk. Often described as the “Ultimate Family Adventure,” and for good reason – designed with families in mind, it offers a broad mix of activities, logistics, and facilities that make it particularly well-suited for kids and parents alike. We were blessed with gorgeous weather and I must admit, we had a lovely time and it exceeded all of my expectations. We are a family of 3 and this was our first festival as a family. Georgia is 9 now and has visited a day festival before but this was the first time we camped and really experienced festival life.
We were lucky that our wider family are festival pros and had all the equipment we needed so they were able to lend us everything, including their car as all of the things we needed would not fit in ours ! We headed up to Norfolk early Friday morning and had set up camp by midday. We had some food that i’d packed from home and headed into the festival.
I loved the fact that you could take your own food and drink (and some alcohol up to a certain time) meaning you didn’t have to eat and drink from the vendors all weekend. We took drinks and snacks in with us and had a main meal from the food trucks. There was a wide variety of options and Georgia (a very fussy eater) found something with no problem. She particularly loved the churros with chocolate sauce !
There are so many activities that are included in the ticket price, broken down into 4 main categories: Bear Grylls survival academy, active / wellness, adrenaline junkies and family activities . We particularly loved the trapeze, archery, axe throwing (angel axes available for younger kids) and the survival obstacle course. A list of all the included activities can be found here. There are also a few premium activities that you can pay for but don’t panic as there are so many included activities you don’t have to pay extra to experience the fun. Unfortunately due to high levels of blue-green algae they had to cancel all the water activities which was a shame, but rather that than end up ill, i guess.
The line up was a perfect mix, with something for everyone. We would go back to the tent for a bit early afternoon to chill and then head back around 4pm and get a spot for the evening. We’d take chairs and a blanket and play cards / listen to the music while the sun went down. We loved the Ministry of Sound Classical on the Saturday night – took us oldies back to our youth and Georgia loved it.
Along with music and activities there were inspirational people like Bear Grylls, Joe Wicks and James Haskell sharing their experience with talks, workouts and book signings.
In Summary: Why we think its great for families;
* All the child friendly activities: The festival boasts over 100 activities included in the ticket price, ranging from outdoorsy adventures like nerf wars and shelter building to playful creative activities like silly science, paracord bracelet making and silent discos.
* Adventure with a Safe Touch: Created by Bear Grylls, the festival emphasises adventurous experiences in a controlled setting. The festival offers axe‑throwing and archery … in a safe environment, turning potentially risky outdoor activities into family-friendly fun.
*Acessible and Inclusive Facilities: Gone Wild aims to be inclusive and welcoming. Accessible camping areas and parking, with wheelchair-friendly viewing platforms, and an on-site accessibility support team ensure that families with various needs can enjoy the festival comfortably and confidently.
*The festival is structured with families in mind: camping is included with weekend tickets, and there are flexible options like VIP and boutique camping upgrades for additional comfort
Gone Wild truly lives up to its reputation as a family-first festival. It combines playful adventure, inclusive infrastructure, and flexibility – all set in a safe, well-organised environment. Whether you’re after high-octane activity or peaceful family time, there’s a carefully curated space for all.
If this sounds like something that you may like – keep your eyes peeled for next years dates / info, or grab a last minute ticket for the festival in Devon later this month (21 – 24 August), more info can be found here.
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