FURIOUS families have hit out at the Bear Grylls Gone Wild festival after kids were left in tears over sold-out activities, dirty loos and long queues.
The four-day camping festival at Powderham Castle, Exeter, has been marketed as the "ultimate family adventure" but festival-goers say they are less than impressed.
Narked-off parents claim they have been unable to book any activities for the four-day festival and that there were "no Covid checks, camping fire risks, disgraceful toilets and no handwashing facilities".
Children were said to be retching as they entered the toilets and were unable to wash their hands.
Famous adventurer Bear Grylls arrived at the event by helicopter and met with fans.
The outdoor event that started on August 26 and runs to August 29 promised kayaking, lessons in survival skills and live music.
One attendee Dianne Harris said: "We met people that were packing up and leaving because they couldn't book anything at all and had been queuing for hours. Crying kids everywhere.
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"We're staying for the music, but not very happy, What a monumental c*** up."
Charlotte Trafford tweeted: ''Bear Grylls Gone Wild Festival – we paid approx £500 for our family ticket which included 80 activities. We arrived today at 3pm to be told there are no activities available."
Another attendee, namely Nina Hollingsworth, wrote: ''I am disgusted. My kids have been in tears as they have not been able to get any activities.
''Your toilet situation is disgraceful. The toilets are stinking, even children are standing and retching.
''No washing facilities- not being able to wash hands after trying to go to one of these disgusting toilets. Worst festival I have ever been to.''
We paid approx £500 for our family ticket which included 80 activities. We arrived today at 3pm to be told there are NO ACTIVITIES available."
Matt Best wrote: "Taking the p***. £300 on a weekend of activities and everything was booked before we get there."
And Rob Barnett said: "Total chaos, long queues to try and book each individual activity.
"Campsite is fine and showers all ok. Didn't get any Covid checks which I was really surprised by.
"This was an expensive event and expected more to be honest. Pretty disappointed."
A spokesperson for Gone Wild Festival said: "Gone Wild is made up of over 80 activities, 17 of which are being run by a booking system on site for safety reasons.
"Due to extremely high demand for some activities we are sorry that some people may not be able to do all of their first choice activities but there are many many more to enjoy.
"All guests can explore the site and take part in any of the 60+ activities that don't require booking and are drop in only, including trapeze sessions, commando school, a South Pole Expedition relay and talks and workshops from over 15 famous adventurers and explorers, as well as watching our headline acts on the main stage.
"None of this requires a booking and there is more than enough to fill a weekend!
"The safety of visitors to Gone Wild festival is of utmost importance. Gone Wild Festival is being run in accordance with all COVID guidelines currently in place relevant to an event of this format and size."
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