Review – Stowaway Festival 2024: A Magical Mix of Fun and Community
In our minds this festival wins a prize of their festival culture. It’s an incredible festival, unique
in so many ways.
It’s like they’ve gone back in time to a less commercial era, a 1970s time when you
genuinely go and hang out with like-minded and diverse people. This was just one of the
best of many brilliant festivals in 2024.
Where to start? What brought the magic? What one single factor could we highlight that
made it the unforgettable experience it really was? As I’m writing this review, I realise there’s
no way of whittling it down to one. So I’ll select 8 top Stowaway Greats that makes this
festival a unique experience that we will be gunning for in 2025.
- Canoeing – yep, this weird and massively wonderful stowed a way gem of a festival
has canoeing on the lake, or paddle boarding, of just having a swim, on a lake, with a
pier and lifeguards and you don’t even pay. This was just fabulous, even though it
was in the middle of the lake I learnt that my partner has never canoed before and
doesn’t know how to swim. Hey ho, well I’m writing this review, so it all worked out
well. - Tree-climbing. Actually we didn’t make the waiting list which the regretful managers
said is apparently one you need to get up really early for, or camp. Free, and a kids
dream. Next year we will camp. This really was such an amazing festival I’d even
camp for it. And I have identified myself as not a camper for 35 years. So watch this
space in 2025.
- Nature area where kids are taught to fix and make things using only nature’s gifts
and tools. A whole area of wooden structures in the middle of a wood, camp fires,
huge kettles and caves made of branches, leaves and a very talented guy who knew
everything about going back to nature, that even our rather metropolis-orientated kids
got totally absorbed in, – this is when I started to realise wow, this festival is really
something else!
- A festival of food in a festival. Yeah yeah, that’s pretty normal. But the difference in
this foodie offering are two ingredients. Affordability and Quality. Usually it’s one or
the other and we found both. Heaven and first-class Pizza!
- Best dressed festival goers. Seriously, we love a bit of colourful creativity and so
many people dress up for this occasion, which added to the sod-it vibe, really really
great, I’m getting my furry purple hat ready for next year.
- The fairy lights at Stowaway Festival bring a touch of magic to the woodland, turning the festival grounds into a cosy wonderland once the sun sets. Draped through the trees and around the stages, the twinkling lights create a warm, welcoming glow, helping festival-goers find their way while adding a bit of charm to the beautiful setting. As the night goes on, the lights become a lovely backdrop for relaxing, chatting with friends, or just soaking up the festival vibes. It’s a simple, but special, detail that adds to the festival’s laid-back and enchanting atmosphere.
- Kids caught the festival love as they queued for the timeless giant swing, again and
again totally euphoric and high on life this will be a high they never ever forget.
- Roller boot Disco – no cost hilarious fun to be had and the really friendly helpful
experts just added to the whole thing. Later, there’s a silent roller-boot session where
each person gets a headset, no boots and just dances away to the music in their
ears, the place was completely full, and you felt like you could touch the happiness.
It’s really hard to put it into words so let me summarise. This festival is joy. If you haven’t
been yet, get in line as we’ll definitely be marking our calendars for next year. Stowaway is a
very special festival – offering truly top of the class festival culture.
In short, Stowaway Festival is a breath of fresh air – a perfect blend of fun, creativity, and community spirit. It’s a festival like no other, where memories are made, and the simple joys of life take centre stage. If you’re after something truly magical, this is one not to miss. Stowaway 2025 is already calling, and we can’t wait to be there.
