New Forest Fairy Festival Review
Do you believe in Fairies?
Nestling in the lea of a hill where time stood still for hundreds of years surrounded the mighty oaks, tree spirits and woodland creatures, live the Forest Folk, under every leaf, behind every tree you might see them and listen for the fairy bell and they will appear, their gossamer wings glinting in the sunlight.
The New Forest Fairy Festival is held in Burley, New Forest and is a weekend packed with entertainment and workshops for the whole family and you are all (including Dad’s) positively encouraged to dress in your finest Fairy and Elf costumes.
Just driving into Burley itself brings the excitement levels up as people in full Elf and Fairy costume are wandering around, but once you get inside the amount of people dressed up is amazing…….in fact I felt as little out-of-place as I wasn’t dressed up.
The festival featured live acoustic music, bands, story telling, belly Dancing, a fancy dress competition and lots of activities and workshops for the kids to take part in, including wand and fairy door making. We even met the official Elf house builder who proved his credentials with a photograph of him with Father Christmas, much to Eliza’s excitement.
The highlight of the event for me was the range and diversity of the market stalls that framed the site itself. It was one of the best craft and art fairs we have been to and the standard of craftsmanship was out of this world and I could have spent a fortune. Eliza came away with a necklace filled with fairy dust, a wishing star and a windmill.
There was also some more traditional fete type guests too and who doesn’t love meeting a fireman, trying on their uniform and sitting in a Fire Engine?
Although Eliza and Sebby enjoyed the craft workshops and story telling, it was the circus skills workshop that they had the most fun in.
Eliza proved quite skilful at the Hula Hoop and could have potential as a future rhythmic gymnast perhaps?
Sebastian preferred providing the percussion for everyone to dance along to on the drum.
We had a brilliant day, wandering around and taking in the atmosphere. We even got sprinkled with some fairy dust by some cheeky sprites that were zig zagging through the crowds, giggling as they went.
My only grumble from the day was that there was no shade on the site, apart from the craft or storytelling areas which were always packed.
The New Forest Fairy Festival cost £7 per adult, £3 per child with children aged 5 and under free and we will certainly go back next year.
Louise
This sounds like a brilliant place! I love Eliza’s hula hooping – that girl has skills! A future Olympic gymnast there xxx
Clare aka Emmy's Mummy
Wow that looks like fun.
Awesome hula hooping skills Eliza and Sebby looks like he would love a drum for his birthday 😉
JuggleMum, Nadine Hill
Aww Eliza makes such a pretty fairy! Looks like you may have a couple of circus performers on your hands there – what a fun festival for a young family.
Talya
Wow this sounds gorgeous my three year old would absolutely love this!
Merlinda Little (Glimmer of Hope)
Awww looks like a magical trip! I think its so worth going back to next year! #countrykids
Claire at Tin Box Traveller
What a fun day out. There’s always something fab going on at Burley. We’ve been for the cider festival in October – yum!
Laura
Oh my gosh, this looks like so much fun! I will definitely be looking into this next year!
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi)
Aw, this looks like so much fun – and awesome value too!
angela hamilton
oh wow this looks like such great fun and a magical experience!!
Dean of Little Steps
What a lovely idea, I may not believe in fairies (please don’t tell my daughter) but I love the idea of a forest fairy festival 🙂
Natalia
It looks amazing and it was really sunny! I’m surprised to read in blogs how many festivals for kids are happening around the UK xx
Keely's Nails
It sounds like you had great fun and there was a lot on offer ????
Steph
Oh wow looks like a lovely festival, my girls would absolutely love it! Love the photo of Eliza dressed up as fairy, adorable 🙂 #countrykids
Baby Isabella
It was our second year going and definitely busier that last year! Circus and the craft was a highlight for us too. We love going there to people watch! #CountryKids xx
Emma
That looks like such a lovely summer day out! Your little fairy is absolutely gorgeous! 🙂 x
Alana - Burnished Chaos
This place looks so magical, and not expensive either like so many other festivals have become.
#CountryKids
Jo Wiggins
This looks like so much fun. You’re never too old to spend the day dressed as a fairy x
Michelle Twin Mum
I’m not so into fairies and things so this isn’t one for me but everyone looks as if they are having a great time. Mich x
Ana De- Jesus
Considering how much entertainment was on show I think £7 is pretty decent! It looks like you had a great time !
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs
Sounds like an awesome day out! And what a pretty little fairy 🙂
Glad you all had a brilliant time x
Rachel
£7 is an absolute bargain, I was expecting to read that it was at least 3 times that amount!
Coombe Mill - Fiona Cambouropoulos
Oh my goodness how cute is this festival. I can imagine Eliza was in heaven. Just the thought of a necklace with fairy dust is filling my mind with possibilities for here at Coombe Mill. Everything looks so child friendly and full of magic. Fancy dress was certainly the order of the day and what a gorgeous day for it.
Thank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
Anosa
Looks like a perfect day out, my little boy would be providing some tunes on that drum as well lol I need to check this out for next year, fun for all the family.
Anna-Maria
I would love to have attend to this festival it looks so fun and omg only £7 that’s amazing.
Alina
I love the happiness on their little faces, So cute! Looks like you’ve all really had a lot of fun and will be sure to recommend this to my little niece 🙂
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Where To Next Kids?
It sounds like a really fun festival. The costumes look fun and what great value for money
Fozia S
Oh wow this looks like so much fun! Think my youngest would love it
Nikki
That looks like an amazing experience for the kids… I’m sure I’d enjoy it way too much myself. I’ve wanted to find events that my fiance and I could possibly take my 3-year-old nephew to. I’ll be on the look out.
Jen Walshaw
Perfect for any fairy loving families. Shade or cover is so important especially when you have little ones
Kerry Norris
This sound like a fab festival. I’ve never heard of it. My daughter would love it. That’s a shame there was no shade. There should be some x
Emma
That looks amazing, my little girls would’ve loved it!
Sonya Cisco
Looks like great fun – quite a lot of my mates went and had a fab day. Wonder if I can convince Syd next year…he is very anti- fairy currently, they are for girls apparently!
Catherine Green
A fairy in a firefighter’s helmet, love it! Wow, I think I just found a location for our summer holiday for next year, we must have just missed the fairy festival when we headed down South in August. My little fairy princesses will love this one 🙂 https://spookymrsgreen.com/2016/09/12/finding-magic-in-your-local-environment/