Surely there are few sights more heart-warming than groups of children marauding through field and forest, barefoot, muddy and grinning.

As a parent, knowing your offspring are free, safe and happy outdoors is one of the most joyous aspects of camping, and any festival which allows this - alongside encouraging parents to have a bit of fun too - has to be A Good Thing.

This is the USP of Elderflower Fields, now in its third year. A new, larger site at the wild and beautiful Pippingford in the Ashdown Forest, just a half hour's drive from Brighton, has meant an expansion in the range and number of activities: tree climbing, kayaking, sports camps and an 'urban woods' zone alongside the established music and arts workshops & storytelling meant kids and parents were happy all weekend despite atrocious weather on Saturday.

Sunday's family picnic - a key, unique and magical part of this festival - engenders such a feeling of community it should be compulsory every summer weekend. Top fun for adults too, a slew of feelgood bands on the main stage was complemented by a woodland acoustic stage curated by Michele Stodart of the Magic Numbers (check out Duke Special if you ever get the chance), while the cocktail bar in the forest blasted out tunes until 2am, and the Silent Disco was another highlight.

For those missing home comforts the hot tubs and sauna looked inviting, a glass of complimentary bubbly, posh showers and a great view over the site giving adults the opportunity to step away from the mud for a few hours.

Already in my diary for next year, Elderflower Fields is highly recommended.