Taking three kids to Together Again Festival at Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire last weekend (July 23-26) was both magical and madness. From the moment we pulled into the campsite, the excitement was contagious. My eldest (15) was already asking about the music, my middle child (12) scouted food vans, and my youngest (3) ran off looking for a tent spot. I hoped we would set up before snack requests began.
Tent and Sleep Setup
The Vango Whitby Air 600XL Tent was a game changer. Its inflatable design meant no wrestling with poles while three children “helped” in increasingly unhelpful ways. Each tube inflates individually, so we had it up quickly. The three-zone layout included an enclosed porch for muddy shoes, a roomy living area for snacks and games, and darkened bedrooms that helped the kids sleep. Available for £699.99 from Outdoor World Direct.
For sleeping bags, the Vango Latitude Pro 400 Sleeping Bag kept us warm with its heat-reflecting interior and body-hugging shape, perfect for unpredictable British nights. RRP £95, Member’s Price £54 from Go Outdoors. The Eurohike Camper Self-Inflating Mat made a huge difference to comfort, inflating quickly and keeping the cold away. RRP £32, Member’s Price £16. My personal luxury was the YAWN Self-Inflating Double Airbed with Headboard, which inflates in minutes and feels like a proper bed. Available from High Street TV from £79.99.
Power and Cooling
The Bluetti Elite 100 V2 Portable Power Station was a lifesaver for keeping phones charged, powering lights, and running small appliances. Quiet, powerful, and reliable, it handled charging tablets, headphones, and my phone without fuss. Its 1,200W AC TurboBoost™ charging reaches 80% in 45 minutes, and 1,000W solar input delivers a full recharge in about 70 minutes. Car charging is six times faster than standard. RRP £899 from Bluetti UK and Amazon UK.
The BUNKER Cool Box kept food fresh for up to five days, saving money on expensive food stalls. Available in 18L, 42L, and 66L sizes from £179.95.
Cooking and Comfort
The Go Outdoors Sola X Cookset is a compact and practical kit with a 1000ml pot and mini fry pan. The heat exchange system made cooking efficient even in breezy conditions. RRP £35, Member’s Price £14.97. The Trail Camping Chair (Serin padded camping chair from £29.74) provided comfortable seating with wraparound padding that eliminates draughts. The kitchen stand from Trail (£67.99) serves as a workspace with a windshield, folding side table, worktop, and cupboard.
Transport
The Big Dug Trolley was invaluable for transporting bags, blankets, and occasionally a tired toddler across the campsite. BiGDUG Folding Camping & Festival Trolleys are available from £78.
By the end of the weekend, we were tired, a little muddy, and completely happy. The kids danced, explored, made friends, and ate plenty of festival food. I watched it all happen, knowing we had everything to make it comfortable, fun, and memorable. Would I do it again? Absolutely.
