What’s new in 2026? Well, Mendip Basecamp is launching a brand new summer of entertainment – all included at no extra charge!

Last year, we ran the Mendip Family Festival during the final weekend of the summer season. It was so popular that we’ve decided to take that one festival and turn it into six!

The Mendip Mini Festivals (or Mini Fests) are the highlight of Basecamp’s summer of entertainment, bursting into life for six weekends of ultimate fun at the heart of one of Somerset’s best family adventure campsites.

Plus, to help plan your summer adventures, meet the Basecamp Bucket List. Pick adventures to excite, thrill or relax – this simple concept will help you plan a family-friendly adventure holiday in no time!

Two smiling girls hold hands as they jump off a low stack of straw bales. The girl on the left is giving us a thumbs-up sign, and the girl on the right has her other arm stretched up in the air. Behind them, people are relaxing in camp chairs in a field, and colourful flags wave in the background like a festival.

Summary

  • Summer of entertainment: Live music and entertainment every weekend!
  • Six Mendip Mini Festivals: Family-friendly festival weekends without the fuss! Available every weekend of the 2026 school holidays, Mendip’s Mini Fests bring live music, circus skills, storytelling and more.
  • Build your own Basecamp Bucket List: From rock climbing and kayaking to caving and paddleboarding, it’s your go-to inspiration for creating an unforgettable family holiday in the Mendip Hills.
  • Flexible, affordable and packed with family fun: With spacious pitches, optional glamping, free onsite activities and adventures just a five-minute walk away, Basecamp makes it easy to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with each other.

Table of Contents

  1. Affordable Family Festival-Style Experiences in 2026
  2. What Are the Mendip Mini Festivals?
  3. Live Music for the Whole Family
  4. What Else is New at Basecamp in 2026?
  5. Basecamp Bucket List Inspiration
  6. The Best Family Holiday You’ll Find in 2026
  7. Why Basecamp is a Great Family Campsite
  8. Good Times, Great Value: Come to a Mendip Mini Festival Weekend
  9. Frequently Asked Questions

Affordable Family Festival-Style Experiences in 2026

This summer, your family can experience festival-style fun in the Mendip Hills at no extra cost. For six weekends during the school holidays, we’re raising the bar on what makes a good family holiday! Expect live music, hands-on workshops, free kids activities, and relaxed moments in nature, ALL for the same price as a regular weekend of camping.

What Are the Mendip Mini Festivals?

Mendip Mini Festivals (Mini Fests) run every weekend from 24th July 2026 to 30th August 2026. Each weekend includes a range of free family activities designed to balance excitement and downtime.

Every Mini Fest weekend includes:

  • Live music Friday and Saturday evenings at Basecamp, featuring local legends and new talent
  • Circus Skills workshops where you can try spinning plates, juggling and diablo
  • Children’s Storytelling
  • Nature workshops exploring Somerset’s flora and fauna with local experts
  • Orienteering sessions through ancient woodland and grassland
  • Outdoor yoga led by experienced instructors

Mendip’s Mini Fest mix of activities offers excitement, relaxation, and time together as a family. It brings festival flavour without the high cost, crowds and late nights of a typical festival.

Find Out More About the Mini Fests
See Basecamp’s Availability
Two musicians perform live music onstage at a family festival; the man on the left plays bongo drums while looking at the woman on the right, who is singing into a handheld microphone.

Live Music for the Whole Family

Live music will be available every weekend through the summer, and we’ll be introducing some epic bands during the Mendip Mini Fests. On Friday and Saturday evenings, head over to our brand new custom-built Bandwagon, equipped with a PA system and portable staging, for everything from relaxed acoustic sessions to lively dancing.

Mendip Mini Fest Music Headliners

  • Sam Evans
  • The Lipinski Brothers
  • The Missing Cat Band
  • Aardvarks
  • Supervision
  • Station2Station

More artists will be announced soon.

All live music finishes at 10 pm so that families can have the best of both worlds: a grand family festival-style party, and a reasonable bedtime for the kids!

Calling all local musicians! We’re looking for performers interested in jumping on the Bandwagon at Basecamp and playing a 30-minute opening set on Mini Fest Friday nights during the school holidays. Make sure you enter the Mendip Talent Competition for a chance to play for a friendly crowd and get more live performance experience!

Enter the Talent Competition

What Else is New at Basecamp in 2026?

Alongside our Mini Fests, get inspired and craft your own Basecamp Bucket List for the ultimate family camping holiday in 2026!

What is a Bucket List?

A bucket list is a list of things to experience at least once in your life. These experiences can be unique, rare, exciting, far-flung, or just generally something you have always wanted to do. They can be as mundane or extreme as you want, but ultimately, it’s about creating memories and experiences.

What is the Basecamp Bucket List?

The idea of the Basecamp Bucket List is meant to inspire new adventures, shared experiences, and amazing memories for your family. Pack your list with exciting activities and hidden gems in the Mendip Hills for a screen-free itinerary of family fun this summer!

Two children are midway up a rock climbing route. They are both wearing red climbing helmets and are concentrating closely on their next move. They are outdoors, trying an adventure activity from the all-new Basecamp Bucket List.

Basecamp Bucket List Inspiration

Choose adventure activities and local attractions to make up your very own Basecamp Bucket List for a fantastic family holiday in Somerset. Get inspired and build your itinerary for your family of high-octane adventurers, pure nature-seekers or easy-going explorers of all ages and varieties.

Here are some ideas to get you started with your planning:

High-Octane Adventurers Bucket List

Pick an adventure and challenge yourself to a new thrill:

Pure Nature-Seeker Bucket List

Discover grounded experiences and take time in nature:

Easy-Going Explorers

See new sights, try new things – it’s easy!

Other Adventures You Could Add to Your Bucket List Include:

Don’t forget to include the free activities at Basecamp in your Bucket List, and if you visit during a Mini Fest weekend, you’ll have even more adventures to add. You can also check out Mendip’s family activities post for inspiration on free local things to do outdoors; while the post mainly focuses on autumn and winter activities, the first half has plenty of great ideas that should definitely be on your family’s Basecamp Bucket List.

You can also check out our local guide for more ideas of things to see and do in the area (plus local food and pub recommendations), and start planning your Basecamp Bucket List today!

Find All Adventure Activities Here
Check Out Our Local Guide Here

The Best Family Holiday You’ll Find in 2026

With Mendip’s Mini Fests and everything Somerset has to offer, planning your summer family holiday is simple and flexible.

Why Mini Festivals are a Strong Choice for 2026

Mendip’s Mini Fests are the best of both worlds. With a taste of affordable festival life and a dash of adventurous activities, your family gets to customise their perfect family holiday.

Mendip’s Mini Festivals are great because:

  • Great location: Close to Bristol and well-connected to the M5, Basecamp sits in the scenic Mendip Hills near popular attractions and amenities
  • Amazing value: All live music and entertainment are included in the standard weekend camping price
  • Flexible itinerary: Relax onsite with free activities and loads of space to roam, or plan a full day of adventure at Mendip Activity Centre before the evening music begins
A multi-generational family group stands in front of their tent and campervan on their camping pitch, smiling and waving enthusiastically. They are surrounded by camp chairs, a table and an awning, and the sun is shining.

Why Basecamp is a Great Family Campsite

Whether you visit us during a Mini Fest weekend or not, Basecamp is always the perfect off-grid family holiday getaway. Relaxed, flexible and child-friendly, Basecamp is an easy choice because:

  • You can pick your own tent pitch and park by your tent
  • Glamping options are available
  • There’s no check-out time for tent pitches
  • Rent a firepit or bring your own – campfires are encouraged!
  • Loads of room for children to play in the giant sandpit, indoor play area, and the massive camping field
  • On-site campshop and cafe serving barista coffee, pizza, chips and more
  • Free activities throughout the camping season, and even more during Mini Fest weekends
  • Only a 5-minute walk from adventures at Mendip Activity Centre

It’s a great opportunity to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with each other over shared adventures, nature, and relaxed time together.

Find out more about Basecamp’s camping options here.

Good Times, Great Value: Come to a Mendip Mini Festival Weekend

This year, save your money on those big festival tickets and bring the family to Basecamp instead for great value, awesome adventures and memorable festival experiences without the expense!

Book a Basecamp Mini Festival Weekend

Frequently Asked Questions

When are the Mendip Mini Festivals happening at Basecamp?

The Mini Fests take place every weekend during the school holidays, from 24th July 2026 to 30th August 2026.

Is there entertainment every weekend at Basecamp?

Yes! Every Mini Fest weekend includes loads of activities, workshops, and live music performances. Outside of the summer holidays, weekends at Basecamp feature live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, plus Circus Skills activities on Sunday mornings.

Do the Mendip Mini Festival weekends cost extra?

No, the Mini Fest weekends cost the same as a regular weekend of camping.

How do I book a Mini Festival Weekend at Basecamp?

Book your camping pitch or accommodation as usual, and just make sure to choose a weekend between the 24th July 2026 and 30th August 2026.

What free activities are included?

Free activities at the Mendip Mini Fests include:

  • Live bands on Fridays and Saturdays
  • Circus Skills workshops
  • Children’s Storytelling
  • Nature workshops
  • Orienteering
  • Yoga

You can find more information about the Mendip Mini Fests here.

What bookable activities are available?

A wide range of adventure activities are available at Mendip Activity Centre, just a five-minute walk from Basecamp. Activities include:

You can see our full range of adventures here. We recommend booking your adventure activities in advance, ideally when you book your camping, so you can craft the perfect itinerary and avoid missing out on the day.

Book Your Mendip Mini Festival Weekend