10 Tips for visiting the Just So Festival for the first time

We had simply the best weekend at Just So last week and would honestly recommend to anyone. This festival was our third time camping at a festival and we have to say we were impressed - the facilities were decent and there was plenty of space between tents. If you're planning on heading to the Just So Festival in 2017, here are our top tips:-

1 - You don't need to pack light

The car parks are super close to the camping area so you don't have far to walk with your equipment, the tent pitches are also very spacious so you don't need to worry about the size of your tent and if you really need to, there are trolleys available to hire at the campsite entrance. 

2 - Plan some sort of a costume

We failed in the costume planning department this year with one pair of fox ears between us! LOL! Some of the costumes were truly spectacular and I definitely want to get in on the action next year. You don't need to spend a fortune either, some of the best costumes we spotted were homemade.

3 - Order a programme and plan 3-4 activities per day

There are over 250 activities to choose from at Just So and it makes sense to get the most out of the festival for your money. You don't want to be overwhelmed so I would suggest pre-ordering a programme and choosing 3-4 performances/activities per day with space in between each one. This means you don't get over-tired/overwhelmed but also don't end up turning up half way through everything as well. It also gives you time to explore and stumble upon a few activities too. 

4 - Plan some time out

The Just So Festival involves lots of walking (we clocked up around 15k steps per day) and is a feast for your senses. There are so many places to chill out and take some time away from it all which is much needed. Whether this be a picnic lunch at Footlights, enjoying alternative therapies in High Seas or just sitting on a hay bale with a coffee and ice cream - try not to rush around too much. 

5 - Don't forget your pillows

The pillow fight on the village green is not to be missed - make sure you pack an extra pillow (feather filled work best). 

6 - Budget for food

Picnics are allowed and we would advise bringing sandwiches with you for lunch to keep costs down. There is so much yummy food on offer though and it would be a shame to miss out. We enjoyed some fantastic festival food every evening so if you can, include this in your budget. As a guide, snacks (hot dogs/chips/candy floss) were £3, kids meals (main, side and juice) were £5 and adult meals were priced at £7-£10. Although the food was good value, soft drinks were priced at £1.50-£2 for a can of pop which I do find to be expensive so if you're on a budget, bring your own soft drinks or a water bottle which can be re-filled for free. 

7 - Prepare for timetable changes/cancellations

We had our heart set on a few things which were sadly cancelled due to bad weather -  bubble hour and star gazing will have to wait for next year. It really can't be helped though (and in at regular intervals fact the festival did a fab job of dealing with the weather as a whole). Make sure you check out the big blackboard by the festival entrance which will keep you up to date with any changes. 

8 - Pack a waterproof sheet/blanket/bin bags to sit on

If it decides to rain, things can get a little muddy. We carried festival chairs around with us (recommended - ours were only £7 from Argos and perfect) but for the kids I would recommend a picnic blanket with a waterproof back or just a roll of binbags (although this isn't as good for the environment). This means they can always get a good view for their favourite performances. 

9 - Wear comfortable footwear

We walked 15k steps every day (which included a couple of trips back to our tent). Make sure you wear comfortable footwear. It was wellies for the kids and I and walking boots for Steve. Just So is not the sort of place you can get away with flip flops! If your kids are little, the festival is buggy friendly and you can hire a wagon to transport the kids in if needed.

10 - Embrace everything 

The Just So Festival really is the place to embrace your inner child. Paint your face, laugh out loud, try something new, make friends and have fun. That's what it's all about. 

Early bird tickets for Just So Festival 2017 (18 – 20 August, Rode Hall Estate, Cheshire) are on sale from Friday 26 August at www.justsofestival.org.uk at special early bird prices of £120 (adults), £45 (child) for weekend camping, £70 (adult), £25 (child) for 2 day non-camping, £40 (adult), £15 (child) for day tickets. Under 3s free. 

Pssst! Check out our video from Just So 2016:

Disclosure: We received Press Tickets to attend the Just So Festival 2016.