Horrible Histories heads Standon Calling 2017 family programme

The music and arts festival takes place at Standon Lordship from Thursday, July 27 to Sunday, July 30, with Orbital and Clean Bandit already confirmed as main stage headliners.

As well as boasting an incredible music and live culture line-up, an important aspect of the festival is making sure that family festival-goers are taken care of and all-ages are entertained across the weekend.

Therefore Standon Calling organisers have unveiled a jam-packed programme of events featuring the Horrible Histories live on stage, Hip Hop Academy, Fairy Garden and more.

In addition, the Mortimer Nannies will be on hand to provide a bespoke babysitter service and creche area, situated at the heart of the festival and overlooking the main stage.

Standon Calling 2016 [Picture: Gaelle Beri] (Image: Gaelle Beri)

Leading the excitement-driven line-up is the acclaimed Horrible Histories ‘Barmy Britain’ live performance.

The humorous and brilliantly arranged educational theatre will make its debut at Standon Calling on the Saturday morning on the main stage, before Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Re:Bourne takes over on Sunday with the best dance workshops and performance to grace the Hertfordshire festival’s fields.

Standon Calling’s innovatively designed family itinerary is guaranteed to captivate all ages, no matter how fussy, for a more relaxed and inclusive family festival experience.

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Review of Standon Calling 2016

The wondrous Kids Area is set to host:

• Travellers Baby and Toddler Space

Perfect for parents of the youngest darlings, Travellers Baby and Toddler Space provides a comfortable space for baby changing (including nappy supplies) and nursing, as well as wooden toys and games, a sandpit and a much-needed chill-out sofa space.

• Mortimer Nannies

Standon Calling 2017 family programme (Image: Archant)

Festival-going parents are sure to be saved by Mortimer Nannies’ creche service and private babysitting.

Available for the whole weekend, this attentive nannying service will keep parents relaxed and children entertained.

• Standon Calling Campfire

What’s a festival experience without a campfire? Taking place in the evenings, Standon Calling is transformed by striking storytelling and of course, marshmallow toasting.

• Library and Chill-Out Space

Perfect for winding down after being excited by all Standon Calling has to offer, kids visiting the festival’s very own library will be treated to unique storytime sessions from Usbourne books.

• Standon Swimming Pool

In July’s hot weather, a dip in Standon Calling’s heated swimming pool is a must over the weekend.

Standon Calling 2016 [Picture: Gaelle Beri] (Image: Gaelle Beri)

The pool is open everyday across the weekend and has qualified lifeguards on hand.

• Fairyland Trust

Unlock the magical powers of nature with nature based charity Fairyland Trust.

Children visiting the fairyland will learn about the importance of environmental conservation of woodland habitats.

Set to inspire imps and elves alike, the trust will include interactive Witch and Wizard training and magical craft sessions to enlighten and develop their physical, mental and spiritual capacities.

• Ethereal Productions

Making sure that Standon Calling will be unforgettable weekend is the Ethereal Productions circus and theatre workshop.

Giving kids the opportunity to tap into their inner acrobat with circus skills, stilt walking and trapeze lessons, and inviting them to watch thrilling fire and aerial shows, juggling displays and captivating magicians will ensure that this is a must-not miss spectacle for young audiences.

• Hip Hop Academy

Designed for teens, the Hip Hop Academy workshop will include masterclasses on graffiti, DJ, rap, beat production and beat boxing.

Needing some moves to accompany your newly discovered rap skills? Street dance lessons taking place in the performance tent.

• Craft Zone

Clean Bandit will headline Standon Calling 2017 (Image: Archant)

If you can think it, you can craft it. Centring around the Story Costume Parade taking place at the festival, kids of all ages will be able to make tutus, unicorn headbands, trolls snot, woodland masks, messy play, fire breathing dragons and lanterns.

• Performance Tent

Set to be one of the most active areas at the festival, the performance tent plays host to an array of activities such as meditation, yoga, street dance, bubble parties, discos, drama, storytelling, drama, Punch & Judy, juggling displays, talent shows and baby/toddler sessions.

• Wish Upon A Party

Kids visiting Wish Upon A Party won’t believe the delights that Standon Calling has to offer.

Get ready for the festival to be transformed by enchanting magic-themed entertainment with spellbinding storytelling, role playing and party games galore.

• Kats Whiskers

This immersive theatre performance is set to keep all-ages entertained with its light-hearted slapstick routines, interactive puppets, storytelling, water bombs, rockets and so much more.

• STANDON CALLING 2017 LINE-UP – PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED

ORBITAL / CLEAN BANDIT

SLAVES / LAURA MVULA / NOTHING BUT THIEVES / GARY NUMAN / STEVE MASON /

BRITISH SEA POWER / !!! (CHK CHK CHK)

NADIA ROSE / FICKLE FRIENDS / CABBAGE / DUTCH UNCLES / AKALA / KERO KERO BONITO / IDLES / THE CUBAN BROTHERS / PLASTIC MERMAIDS / LUCY SPRAGGAN / CHARLIE CUNNINGHAM / PREP / LONGY / TANGERINES / VENN / THE EARLY YEARS / CLUB DRIVE / JAE TYLER / ALEX FRANCIS / BARON GOODLOVE & THE DREADFUL NOISE / VOLKOVA SISTERS / MADDOX / WASTE / BRING YOUR OWN BRASS

• DJ SETS FROM:

JOE GODDARD (HOT CHIP) / FAITHLESS / JAX JONES / DJ YODA / MAXXI SOUNDSYSTEM / EDWARD ADOO

• COWSHED TAKEOVERS FROM:

SINK THE PINK / HOSPITALITY / MIKE SKINNER & MURKAGE PRESENTS TONGA /

FEELING GLOOMY PRESENTS BOWIE DISCO

• BRAND NEW COMEDY STAGE

JAMES ACASTER / JOHN ROBINS / CASUAL VIOLENCE

WITH MANY MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

• Standon Calling tickets are on sale now, and are available from http://www.standon-calling.com/tickets