A Girlie Weekend at Rewind South 80s Festival

Rewind South 80s Festival Review: At the weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to Rewind Festival which takes place at Henley on Thames. It is the biggest 80s music festival in the UK. Now in its twelfth year, a number of artists who stared in the original lineup made the effort to come back to mark the anniversary. Since that first show Rewind has grown in such popularity that there are also Rewind festivals in the North and Scotland. I can see why we loved it so much that we are intending on going to Rewind Festival 2022.

Having the chance for a girlie weekend away over a hectic Summer holiday was too good an opportunity to miss. The lineup in 2018 included Jason Donavan, Kim Wilde, Billy Ocean, Marc Almond, T’Pau, Chesney Hawkes, Human League and many more – Building an 80s Playlist. All of the stellar line-up have appeared in the official UK charts in the 80s.

Rewind South – boutique camping facilities

Having never visited Henley before I wasn’t sure what to expect. We had been kindly given boutique camping for the whole weekend. Which is an area sectioned off from the other campsites where you can bring your own tent. Designed to make your experience as luxurious as possible and perfect for busy working mums. As it meant we didn’t need to stress or think about packing so much stuff. Because we all know that camping means needing to take a lot of essentials!

We had a pre-pitched tent for three which included air mats and sleeping bags. It was nice to turn up and make the most of having some time out straight away. We also really appreciated how much less stress it was when it was time to come home from the Rewind 80s festival. Accommodation options include a pre-pitched tent at £110 per person up to a luxury tipi for £450 per person. Which comes with carpet, hand woven rugs, sheep skins, a dedicated power supply, futons, duvet and wool blankets.

However, I think the real benefit of boutique camping has got to be the hot showers! This is the first time I have been to a festival (and I have been to a few in my time) and had hot showers. Not only were they hot they were also clean! Plus the queues weren’t bad at all. The toilets were also great and it made a real difference when compared to some of the queues in the other areas. Other benefits included secure lockable storage, and the ability to charge your phones and devices at no cost. There was also a pamper area that included hairdryers and straighteners as well as plug sockets and mirrors. Boutique camping is definitely an option to consider for Rewind Festival 2022.

River taxi into Henley

There was even the opportunity to do a morning yoga session. Our pitch looked out onto the river where there were several boats already moored. The festival site was very peaceful and you felt secure and looked after by all the staff and the patrolling security guard. Once settled we decided to explore and caught one of the river taxis up into Henley itself. It’s an incredibly picturesque town, with flags flying, a number of lovely flower displays and a beautiful church at the top of the high street. Definitely, a huge benefit to have this right on your door stop when visiting 80’s festival Henley.

I really enjoyed the proximity of the town, because as much as I love a festival sometimes it’s nice to get off the site. Both mornings we ate breakfast in the town at local cafes. We also managed a couple of drinks out of glass. Sitting outside and watching the world go by. Marvelling at all the costumes and all the effort people had gone to. The outfits that really stick in my head are the plastic green soldiers and whoopee cushions. Everyone enjoying the ability to get up to all sorts of quirky fun. There were others dressed as Top Gun, Bay Watch, Fraggles, Hedi Hi and Rainbow Bright. We had arranged matching tees from Pink Sorbet. I can’t wait to see what fancy dress outfits we see at Rewind festival 2022.

The boat party at Rewind Festival South

The town also provided a bit of retail therapy on Saturday morning. Although we didn’t really think about needing to get all our other bags in the boot! Although we took the car it is possible to reach by public transport. With Henley on Thames being the nearest train station. On Friday night there was a boat party which we managed to squeeze onto. Not realising it was a ticketed event.

It was only a short ride but it was a good excuse to have a drink on a boat in the dark. Looking at the lights which hung out across the campsite. I had no idea there were quite so many bell tents in the boutique camping. It was these sorts of things which really made Rewind South stand out. I can’t remember the last festival where a boat trip was on offer it really is a unique show.

Rewind VIP Passes – 80’s festival Henley – Biggest party of the Summer

Saturday we really put the Rewind VIP access to good use when the great acts hit the stage. Although not before stopping to get festival glitter and hair crimped in one of the many retailers at the festival. The Rewind VIP area is alongside the main stage. This means we had a great view without getting squished by the crowds. The Rewind VIP area had a large bar, a chill out lounge, a pizza place and its own toilets. There were also a number of picnic tables which meant that there was plenty of seating and a number of people standing on the table to get a better view. Listening and dancing to the live music it was such a brilliant night.

Having the Rewind VIP access really made it such a more pleasurable experience and it would be something I would definitely look to utilise in the future. Just like at the campsite the queues for the facilities were short. The toilets were clean and we didn’t need to wait long to be served.

Festival Features – Rewind 80s festival

Outside of the Rewind VIP area, there are a number of different fair ground rides at the 80’s festival Henley. As well as the 90s tent which also hosted the legendary silent disco. That was on our list to try out but we got distracted by the main stage! There was also a smaller stage which had a tribute band on for most of the Saturday night. It was great fun to dance around to various musical legends. With several theme bars scattered around it. They also have an incredible line-up on Sunday night. Although with kids and jobs to get back to we left Sunday mid afternoon.

Rewind South – my kind of 80’s festival Henley

It was here that I realised I had lost my phone. I had left it in the Rewind VIP toilets. At that moment I thought that was it, I mean how am I going to find it someone is surely taken it. My friend rang the phone in the hope that someone would pick it up. Nothing. Then it rang back and at that moment my faith in human nature was restored. A lovely lady had handed it in to the first aid tent and it was there waiting for me to pick it up. I was so grateful, there are photos and videos which are not backed up (yes I know) of the boys which means more than any phone. The goodwill really summed up how I feel about Rewind. It is by far the most inclusive, fun and enjoyable festival I have ever been to.

We may have started a new girlie tradition… are you going to Rewind Festival 2022 to the fantastic line up of the biggest acts.

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We were invited to attend Rewind festival south in return for an honest review all words and opinions are my own.