A family festival

We discover The Great Estate, a family-friendly festival that’s hard to beat.

If, like me, you’re and a little wary when it comes to taking children to festivals, fear not! The Great Estate Festival that takes place every year at Scorrier House, near Redruth, is perfect for the whole family. Set in the grounds of the beautiful Scorrier Estate, that has been in the Williams family for seven generations, the weekend long festival is a mixture of music, entertainment, dancing, feasting and playing. The setting is ideal as there’s a combination of open spaces and gently sloping combined with intriguing woodland glades and secret walled gardens.

“This festival has a real retro vibe echoed by the traditional fair ground rides and helter-skelter that our children quickly sought out!”

After having donned much glitter and the ubiquitous flower crowns, we arrived to find an atmosphere that was relaxed and friendly. This festival has a real retro vibe echoed by the traditional fair ground rides and helter-skelter that our children quickly sought out! I was happy browsing the vintage stalls, selling everything from clothes and furniture to classic 1970s Tupperware. The air was filled with the gentle sound of music reaching us from the main stage, too much of a draw for my daughter who is music-mad so we headed over to set up camp.

There were families with young children everywhere, picnicking or just chilling on the lawn. For those too young to be interested in the bands, a whole area dedicated to children’s crafting was keeping little ones happily entertained. We found a sunny spot and left the boys to have a snooze while my daughter enthusiastically headed straight to the front of the stage where we danced the afternoon away to an eclectic mix of tunes, along with many other families.

All that dancing worked up an appetite and we were spoiled by the choice of really good quality food stalls that surrounded us. After we’d had our fill, my daughter and I stayed in the main arena to listen to the next band while the boys headed off to the skate area, which was also home to a circus skills workshop.

Time flew and as the sun went down we headed home, but not before we had explored the Whispering Woods, home to den building workshops and story telling, the Secret Gin Garden (for me not the children!) and an incredible silent disco in the trees. It’s a festival that’s small enough to feel safe with children but, with a great line up of bands and events, big enough to keep everyone entertained – we can’t wait for next year!

Save the date!

Next year’s festival takes place from 31st May to the 2nd June 2019!