Stowaway Festival 2025
This summer we packed up the tents and headed to Stowaway Festival for the very first time. It was me and my two life barnacles, plus my sister and her two – so between us we had a lively little crew aged 3, 6, 8 and 12. A real mix: one seasoned camper (me), and one who is very much not the camping type (my sister – @riskitforabiscuituk).
Setting Up Camp
We arrived early on Friday to make sure we could bag a pitch near the loos – middle aged bladders, you know the drill! On our way through we passed the family quiet camping area, which looked lovely, but we opted for practicality and set up right by the loos, showers… and wait for it… a full-length mirror. Festival glamour sorted.
The ground was nice and flat, and what I loved most was that the site isn’t too big. It’s full of stages, food spots, and art installations tucked into woodland nooks, but not so sprawling that you’re exhausted trekking back and forth with kids. The layout makes everything feel accessible while still packed with discovery.
Straight to the Lake
After putting up the tent (on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year!), we headed straight to the lake. It was an instant hit. Kids of all ages can swim – though they do need life vests. Top tip: if you bring your own, you can skip the queue to borrow one. Lifeguards were on duty, and there’s a pontoon in the middle that everyone loved jumping off.
On the far side, we could see kayaks and SUP boards, also free to use – and that’s one of the biggest bonuses about Stowaway: all the activities are free. From watersports to fairground rides, roller disco to the skate park, everything was included. The queues were never more than a few minutes, which meant the kids could do as much as they liked without any stress.
Kids’ Paradise
Walking into the festival you’re greeted by a giant pirate ship sandpit. Honestly, the kids could have stayed there all weekend. Resident pirates kept them busy with games, songs and sandcastle competitions, while I got the chance to browse Oli’s Swap Shop and other independent stalls.
The official Kids’ Kingdom was brimming with free activities. The littlest ones loved Tootle & Nibs immersive theatre and pirate school, while older kids tried circus workshops, tree climbing, paddleboarding, roller disco and even DJ workshops. The boy spent a lot of his weekend with DJ tutor extrodinarre Discombobulate and even perfromed on the main stage on Sunday. What an experience.
The Mortimer Nannys Tent – filled with fairy lights and beanbags – became a magical evening wind-down spot with stories, board games and films. And yes, you can even book a nanny during the day if you fancy some grown-up time. Absolute dream.
Eating & Drinking
Food at Stowaway is a festival in itself. From celebrity chef feasts and sit-down dining with table service, to quirky events like the Disco Bottomless Brunch, there was no shortage of choice.
On the go, it’s all about elevated street food rather than soggy chips. We loved Yard Birds fried chicken, Get Shucked, and the fresh pasta from Ravi Ollie. The kids, of course, went straight for waffles and ice cream.
Being on a budget, we cooked most of our meals at the tent and kept the kids stocked up on snacks, but the food trucks were too tempting not to try a few! Drinks were around £6.50 a pint (similar to other festivals), and there were more boujee options too – champagne and cocktails from £11. Cups were reusable (£1 each) and doubled as fun keepsakes.
Music & Magic
The music was as varied as the crowd. Big names like, Jungle, The Wailers, Fabio & Grooverider and Shy FX brought the energy, while hidden gems like Evelyn and the shakedown in the Secret Lost spirits bar gave us one of our favourite surprises of the weekend.
For me, the real standout moments were in the woodland at night. Light installations, lasers and disco balls transformed the forest into something truly magical. Just wandering through felt like being in another world.
Extra Fun & Wellbeing
Beyond the music, food and kids’ programme, Stowaway had so many little touches that made it special. The crazy cricket match on Sunday was pure fun – costumes, chaos, and plenty of laughter and nudity as we enjoyed a picnic by the pitch.
For balance, there were also yoga sessions, nature-led activities, and space to simply relax. The combination of creativity, wellness and community spirit gave the whole weekend a thoughtful, family-first feel.
Final Thoughts
Stowaway Festival felt like it had something for everyone: old ravers, new ravers, and little ravers too. The community spirit stood out most – you can feel that a group of friends built this festival out of a genuine love for music and a desire to share it. It’s truly independent, full of creativity, and such a welcoming space for families.
We left with tired legs, happy kids, and already talking about next year. For a first-time visit, Stowaway really won us over.
If you love festivals as much as me – see what else we’ve been up this summer!