A beginner’s guide to Standon Calling festival

A giant house party for thousands of people held at the manor of a Lord? Complete with a swimming pool and famous people? Now we know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking we’ve gone crazy. And maybe we have, but after reading this, you’re about to do exactly the same.

Imagine this – in the summer of 2005, you send out 150 invitations to your birthday party in the back garden of some mansion where you can hear some tunes, chill by the pool and push your mates in when they’re least expecting it. And now, 11 years later, that same party has turned into an annual festival that gave the first performances to some of the UK’s biggest stars. Anybody heard of Florence and the Machine, Mumford and Sons or Bastille? Well we at Licklist towers are here to tell you that story is 100% true, and this year, it’s time for you to join the celebrations.

Set in a sleepy corner of the Hertfordshire countryside, Standon Calling festival takes place from 29th-31st July and is the place to be for everyone and anyone. No seriously, this one is all about the whole family…

Calling all fun lovers

This year, Standon Lordship Manor House is set to host its most legendary bash yet. Based on the idea of “legends of the lost sea”, expect to see a lot of mermaids, sailors and… Jess Glynne? That’s right folks, everyone’s favourite songstress of the moment will be taking centre stage at the festival, along with the other headlining acts – London’s original rockers Suede and Kelis, who will no doubt be bringing all the boys to the (back)yard with that damn milkshake of hers.

Some other peeps that are joining them and no doubt want to find out the recipe for that milkshake of success are Everything Everything, The Hives, Ghostpoet, Swim Deep, Declan McKenna, Clean Cut Kid, The Amazon and DJ’s Theo Parish, Goldie and Luke Abbott. With plenty more on the line-up and plenty more acts to be confirmed, keep an eye on the Standond Calling official Twitter page to see who else will be attending this party of the year.

But hang on a sec, Standon Calling wouldn’t have got its reputation as one of the best family festivals in the UK just because of its banging line-up! Tis years Family Programme has been set up to ensure there’s a little something for everyone. From kids-only trapeze lessons and special readings by childrens authors to marshmallows by the campfire and workshops for DJ-ing and music production skills, it doesn’t matter if you have your own tiddler to look after or if you’ve got stuck babysitting your little bro that weekend – there’s plenty to keep them entertained.

Previous themes for the fest have included a murder train and escaping the circus, so you know the folks organising it all are going to go full out, and it gives you an excuse to pick out some really wacky fancy dress. And with We Are Fat Full handling all their press shindigs, you know they’ll stop at nothing to make it nothing short of amazing. Surely, there can’t be anything else to make this weekend any better?! Oh yeah, that’s right. Our resident Licklist photographers will be joining the party and snapping away all of your top moments so you can reminisce on the best fest forever. Check out how much fun these guys had last time http://licklist.co.uk/gallery/ 146942.

Calling all first time campers

Not only do you get to party on the grounds of this impressive mansion, but you also get to sleep there too! Camping is located right next to the main arena and has everything you need to feel like you’re at a home away from home.

Every first time festival-goer has heard some kind of horror story about the toilet situation. And we won’t lie to you, festival toilets are an experience like no other (and definitely not in a good way). Whilst all you can really do is mentally prepare yourself for the smells you must endure in order to relieve your bladder, the other thing you can do is bring your own toilet paper and a decent supply of baby wipes to give yourself a quick wipe down all over after stepping foot inside them. But the folks at Standon Calling have been quick to reassure us that there will be plenty of toilets and showers located all around the campsite, so hopefully you shouldn’t have to queue for too long to get that neon paint out of your hair.

Everybody has their own taste for snacks, so whilst you may want to bring your own stash to cure your midnight munchies, the food stalls all around the arena and campsite should have you covered throughout the majority of the day. Offering a wide variety of choices, you’ll be sure to find something you fancy, as long as you have the cash to pay. Unlike most festivals, Standon Calling have RFID wristbands which you load with money and use as a way of paying for anything you wish to buy, which saves you from having to stock yourself up with lots of £5 notes for the weekend. Don’t worry if you run out of credit as the cash machines in the arena allow you to top up! As for valuables, don’t take anything you can’t afford to lose, otherwise you won’t have a very happy mummy and daddy when you return home.

Don’t forget, you’ll be sleeping outside in the middle of the countryside. We didn’t think we needed to remind you, but here goes anyway – living in England means dealing with the cold weather and mud. So please, make sure you are well prepared by bringing a warm sleeping bag and some wellies so you don’t have to spend all day watching out for suspicious looking puddles.

For anyone coming with little ones, the family camp is away from the general camping area. So that’s good news for both parents who want their kids away from those who may have had one too many vodka-red bulls and for any guys and gals who want to stay away from any screaming kids who may have had one to many… red bulls.

Or, if you really fancy it, there is also the option to go ‘boutique camping’. For a little extra dollar, you’ll be able to stay in a bell tent, a tipi or a yurt tent, complete with proper beds. And, if camping REALLY isn’t your thing, the Standon Calling website will be able to hook you up with some great hotel packages.

Also remember that is is very likely that kids will be around, so try not to bring any budgie-smugglers or bikinis that are on the verge of being non-existent unless you fancy scarring them for life.

Calling all passengers and party-animals

Being only 30 miles from both London and Cambridge (that’s around 45 mins), there isn’t much of an excuse as to why you can’t head up there. Parking passes for the weekend are £15 and can be purchased when you purchase your weekend ticket.

For everyone else, the festival is easily assessable by train – just get yourself to Bishop’s Stortford or Ware Station and there will be taxis waiting for you to shuttle you straight to the arena.

An Adult Weekend Ticket comes to £145.90 overall, and there is an option to pay this amount in instalments, starting with an initial payment of £60. If you’re planning on bringing along some younger guests, a Teenager Ticket (Under 18) is £113, A Child (4-12) is £22 and for tiny little Infants, all it costs is £5.50. Tickets and all the information you could ever need is available here.

 

By Emily Thursfield