THE CAMPING AND CARAVANNING CLUB UNVEILS NEW FAMILY-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL

Tuesday 25th January 2022

A new-look festival has been unveiled by The Camping and Caravanning Club that aims to build on its long history of running family-friendly events.

The Torchlight Festival of Camping relaunches the previous National Feast of Lanterns (NFOL), which dates back to 1921, and will be held later this year at Walesby Forest in Nottinghamshire from 19-22 August.

The member-only festival features entertainment and live music from high-profile acts such as Squeeze, Gabrielle and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

The NFOL was created as the Club’s end of summer camping event, where members from across the country could meet up and camp together. Participants peaked at 16,000 people at Stoneleigh in 1976, though with visitor numbers having dropped in recent years, the decision to keep the ‘torch lit’ meant it needed a new look.

Club Director General Sabina Voysey said: “Now, 100 years on since the first NFOL, it is time for a new generation to carry the torch and for the Club to take the opportunity to reinvigorate a special festival, breathing new life into its line up and inspiring new followers to make memories of their own. From die-hard members to wide-eyed young explorers, this new event will offer everyone the chance to meet, camp, eat, dance and play in an enchanting woodland setting.”

Other names appearing at the festival include TV’s Craig Charles and tribute bands  Noasis and The Ed Sheeran Experience. Entertainment is available for all the family, plus visitors can purchase a Walesby Forest Activity day pass for £17.50 per person, giving them unlimited access to activities such as climbing, archery and ziplining.  Visitors can also enjoy festival food kiosks, bars, a large campfire and historical displays, plus the Wellness Sanctuary with guided yoga and forest bathing sessions. There will be a magical light trail with campers also encouraged to light up their caravans, motorhomes and tents to keep alive the traditions from earlier NFOLs.

People need to be members of the Club to attend the Torchlight Festival and joining details can be found here: www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/jointoday. 

Festival tickets are now on sale:

Weekend Pitch and Entertainment tickets for families of up to two adults and four children are £199 with the option to stay from Thursday for an extra £25.60.

Weekend Ticket (Friday-Monday)

Weekend Ticket (Friday-Monday)

Family Weekend Pitch and Entertainment (2 Adults, up to 4 Children): £199, plus £25.60 to extend the stay from the Thursday)

Family Weekend Pitch and Entertainment (1 Adult + 4 Children): £149 (£12.80 Thursday)

Adult Weekend Pitch and Entertainment (1 Adult): £149, (£12.80 Thursday)

Additional child (Age 6-17): £15, (£6.40 Thursday)

Additional children under 6 are free

Additional Adult (18+): £50.01, (£12.80 Thursday)

Electric hook-ups will be available at £39.99 for the weekend.

For more information about this year’s event visit www.torchlightfestival.co.uk.  

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Notes for Editors

A limited number of complimentary press pitches are available. If you are interested in reserving a pitch, or for further information or photographs of past NFOLs from our archive, please contact:

Simon McGrath, simon.mcgrath@campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Andrew Robson, andrew.robson@campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

1. The Camping and Caravanning Club is 121 years old and is the largest and oldest Club in the world for all forms of camping. It has nearly 100 sites throughout the UK.

2. Get involved: for the latest news, information and inspiration from The Camping and Caravanning Club, and to engage with those who’ve enjoyed holidays with the Club, visit www.facebook.com/thefriendlyclub, www.twitter.com/campandcaravan or check out our Instagram page www.instagram.com/campandcaravan. 

3. To view the Club’s comprehensive video directory visit www.youtube.com/thefriendlyclub.

4. To learn more about the benefits of joining the Club visit www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/jointheclub.