We’ve been lucky enough to attend Into the Trees each of the four years it’s been running. Since it began in 2016 the event has established itself as a family festival with a difference. Here the headliners are kayak trips, first art trails and camp fire story telling sessions. Days are spent exploring the Ashdown Forest and evenings around the campfire practising bushcraft to the sweet sound of laid back acoustic sets.
Into the Trees is all about spending time together as a family whilst reconnecting with nature and embracing your inner child. We love it! It’s one of our favourite local events of the year. If you’re thinking of joining us next year, here’s what you need to know…
When
The event usually takes place in early or mid September. This year’s event took place between 13-15 September. I’ll keep you posted with 2020 dates when I have them!
Where
Pippingford Park, Nutley East Sussex. In the heart of the beautiful Ashdown Forest.
Cost
Ticket prices vary as to when you buy them. As with most festivals early bird tickets are released months before the event and offer the best value.
Full price weekend tickets for 2019 were £45 for an adult, £20 for 5-16 year olds and £12 for under 5’s. These prices include 2 nights camping and most activities provided by the festival.
Day tickets for 2019 range between £20 for an adult, £14 for children aged 5-16 and £6 for under 5’s.
Highlights
Embracing the opportunity to be a big kid! Into the Trees encourages parents to play wild just as much as the kids. Whether it’s zip wiring, mountain boarding or making mud pies there’s no upper age limit for fun!
The Woodland Tribe make an appearance every year. I was a bit taken aback 3 years ago when my 1 year old was handed a hammer and told to get stuck in..but the ethos of letting children learn for themselves and not wrapping them in cotton wool is at the heart of the Woodland Tribe. Even at that young age my baby’s instinct for self preservation kicked in. He was fine. And here he is at the grand old age of 4 hammering and sawing away along with the rest of the tribe. Building, creating and using his imagination.
The art trail always offers a magical selection of woodland crafts and creations. Whether you want to get stuck in and make something yourself or just admire the works of others there’s always something to intrigue and inspire.
Timberhatch axe throwing offer the perfect stress relief for when all the fun gets too much! Test your strength using a range of axe sizes accommodating all ages…even tots can join in. Archery is also available at a small additional cost.
New for 2019 was tree listening! This sees the use of highly sensitive microphones to echo the natural sounds a tree makes. You can hear the water popping as it mixes with air on it’s way up the xylem behind the bark. A totally unique experience!
The simple art of making mud pies takes on a new meaning thanks to the folk at Holmes Wood Play. With a range of delicious ingredients including wood chipping and dried pasta you’ll find it hard to resist the concoctions your little ones come up with here.
Food
As with any good festival Into the Trees has made sure that there’s something for every appetite in their pop up dining area. We always make sure we stop off at Vintage Scoops for one of the best ice creams around and The Earl Grey for a coffee..but there’s also pancakes, pizza, vegan dishes and a bar to tickle your fancy!
Tickets are now available for Into the Trees 2020. In the meantime you can check out their sister event Elderflower Fields which takes places at two sites next Summer.
