This year’s festival calendar has grown considerably in the north. Everyone is catered for and you don’t even have to camp. The most anticipated of all the new additions happened last May bank holiday when a tiny army of festival-goers marched down to Tatton Park for Geronimo, the new festival for under-12s.
Pre-schoolers were well catered for in the celebrity stakes with CBeebies stars including Mr Bloom, Katy Ashworth and the Swashbuckle pirates, among others. Tiny tots had a packed weekend of baby ballet, Tumble Tots and baby yoga while older kids were encouraged to get physical with zip-wires, tree climbing, circus workshops and den building. There were displays from the likes of Sea Life, Legoland and BMX tricksters, educational activities and theatrical performances.
At £25 per head per day Geronimo was by no means a cheap day out but considering the cost of the activities included separately – not to the mention the price of other types of festival tickets – it really was value for money. Under twos and carers went free, and family and early-bird discounts were available.
Unlike the cramped village fair or the tourist magnets the 20-acre Cheshire site provided ample space to feel free of the bank holiday crowds. Parents could relax, relatively, as children enjoyed the green space around them. Despite this, some of the attractions and rides had long queues of an hour or more, which were less than desirable with toddlers in tow.
Food stalls catered for the fussy to the adventurous and to a high standard, and staff were helpful, knowledgeable and child friendly.
With a wholesome family atmosphere and enough fun and interesting activities packed in to tide families over until the next bank holiday, Geronimo is a welcome addition to the festival calendar and hopefully one that will be making an annual appearance.
Geronimo Festival, Tatton Park, Cheshire, 23-25 May
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