Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire


<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-forest.jpg" alt="Families watch woodland theatre at Just So Festival 2023 Cheshire" class="wp-image-5579" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-forest.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-forest-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-forest-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-forest-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / @justsofestival</figcaption></figure>



<p>I first went to the <a href="https://justsofestival.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Just So Festival</a> when it was a new kid on the block more than 10 years ago. My kids were tiny (ages one, three and five) and we were instantly captivated. With weird and wonderful sights around every corner and creative opportunities, passionate story-telling and joyful music hidden in each forest glade, it was like walking through a magical story book. I was intrigued to discover whether, a decade on, with rather reluctant teens in tow, it’s still as immersive and gorgeous.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-where">WHAT? WHERE?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-giant-egg-and-spoon.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-5612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-giant-egg-and-spoon.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-giant-egg-and-spoon-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-giant-egg-and-spoon-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-giant-egg-and-spoon-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / LE65 Photography</figcaption></figure>



<p>Billed as a spellbinding weekend where families can play, dance and create together, Just So has long since cemented its place as one of the best festivals for families with young kids in the country. It’s a weekend-long camping experience where art, music and literature are embedded and entwined in the forest glades and woodland clearings of Rode Hall, at the southern tip of Cheshire. For those in the west of our patch, it’s within easy reach for a day ticket. If you’re in Notts, camping could be the preferred pick.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-vibe">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-7x.jpg" alt="Signpost at Just So Festival, Cheshire" class="wp-image-5581" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-7x.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-7x-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-7x-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-7x-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-7x-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-7x-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Whimsical, creative and joyous. Little kids with big imaginations will be in heaven, as will their grown-ups, as long as you bring a child-like sense of curiosity and wonder.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-fox.jpg" alt="woman dressed as fox at Just So Festival 2023" class="wp-image-5582" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-fox.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-fox-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-fox-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-fox-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-fox-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-fox-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / @justsofestival</figcaption></figure>



<p>There’s an immediate sense of anything goes – well unless you’re dressed in civvies that is. Never have I felt more conspicuous in my unassuming denim shorts and tee. All around us entire families are dressed as animal tribes: as foxes, frogs, fish, owls, bees, stags and lions. And the creativity is off the scale – no off-the-peg polyester costumes here. Families have put in a ton of effort here, making gorgeous, inventive creations.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-foxes-in-forest.jpg" alt="Family dressed as foxes at Just So Festival Cheshire" class="wp-image-5611" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-foxes-in-forest.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-foxes-in-forest-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-foxes-in-forest-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-foxes-in-forest-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-foxes-in-forest-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-foxes-in-forest-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Why? It’s part of a much-loved Just So tradition. Pick an animal tribe and fight it out for points in silly sports races (giant egg and spoon anyone?) and hilarious high jinx that culminates in the Carnival of the Animals on the Sunday. It’s brilliant fun and we were slightly miffed not to have donned fox tails and ears.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-1x.jpg" alt="Just So Festival 2023 Cheshire" class="wp-image-5585" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-1x.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-1x-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-1x-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-1x-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We started with a cruise around to get out bearings. It’s not a huge site, but there’s plenty to explore, with twists, turns and hidden glades. Exploring the festival feels like a real adventure and you never know just what you’ll discover around each woodland corner.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-3x.jpg" alt="Music performer at Just So Festival 2023 Cheshire" class="wp-image-5586" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-3x.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-3x-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-3x-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-3x-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>We’re greeted first off by a big open space called Hop, Skip, jump that’s a hive of activity with kids and adults playing nostalgic old-school games; giant skipping ropes, circus skills, hoops. Then it’s down to Marauder’s Cove for den building, wood whittling, knot-trying and desert island mimes. At Footlights we found live music and get-up-and-dance acts. Come dusk, the Spellbound Forest came to life with magical tales around the campfire and weird and wonderful lantern creatures wander as part of The Glimmering.</p>



<p>Even the very youngest are catered for here, with Peekaboo, a dedicated performance and activity area for under fours.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-kid-friendly">KID-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-glimme.jpg" alt="a toddler smiles at a costumed bear at Jost So Festival Cheshire" class="wp-image-5587" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-glimme.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-glimme-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-glimme-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-glimme-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-glimme-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2023/08/Just-So-glimme-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image / @Justsofestival</figcaption></figure>



<p>Er, that’s a big fat yes! This festival is all about the kids. Primary aged and younger kids will love it. Older siblings may take a while to warm up, but once they’re shrugged off their self-consciousness, can’t fail to fall in love with the joyous Just So buzz.</p>



<p>From a practical perspective, everything has been thought of. There’s a nappy-changing tent with mats, nappies and wipes, a baby-feeding area and even baby bath-time, with baby baths and bubbles.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scoff-and-quaff">SCOFF AND QUAFF</h2>



<p>No greasy burgers here, but a variety of fresh food, with plenty of vegan and veggie options. Wood-fired pizzas, spaghetti, wraps, posh fish and chips, but my favourite by far was the corn stall, offering delicious woodfired corn-on-the-cob with delicious flavoured butters.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-muddy-verdict">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<p><strong>Good for:</strong> Young families and family groups of friends. It’s bullseye for primary aged kids and their parents and well worth a weekend ticket if you want to make the most of it (there’s boutique camping available if you can’t face pitching a tent with tiny tots).&nbsp;Busy enough to have a buzz but no queues anywhere. Great food choices (or cook yourself), lots of nice toilets, water points and recycling bins. Plenty of shady spots to escape from the sun too.</p>



<p><strong>Not for:</strong>&nbsp;Anyone expecting big headline music acts or who doesn’t like the great outdoors. Uneven ground and quite hilly at some points, so think about taking a baby carrier, off-road pushchair or trailer if you have tiny tots.</p>



<p><strong>£££:&nbsp;</strong>Earlybird tickets are already on sale for 2024 and are available until Friday 15 September. They cost £155.15 for weekend adult camping tickets and £48.15 for children. Day tickets cost £48.15 for adults and £21.40 for kids. Under threes go free.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://justsofestival.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Just So Festival</a>, Rode Hall, Cheshire, ST7 3QT.</em></p>


Into the woods: Muddy reviews family-friendly Just So Festival

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