As Rachel and I are heavily involved in creating Llamedos Holiday Camp it would be a conflict of interest for us to write a review of The Hogsball at Llamedos Holiday Camp 2024. So we are very pleased to have received a number of reviews from some of our campers.
Over to our campers.
Steven Kinsley
The Hogs Ball at Llamedos Holiday Camp
It’s NOT a Cult!!!.
I had to say it. But how do you explain it to someone who has not been there? What started as a glorious April’s Fool joke has evolved into what has become an exuberant, joyous and totally crazy event.
For me it had been a real downer of a start to 2026. I had lost my best friend of 40 odd years early in the New Year and was at a really low point so it was something to look forward to. The amazing thing was that from the moment I arrived with my son and his partner it was as if it had not been two years since the last Llamedos, people greeting you as though you had only seen them the previous day. The whole atmosphere from start to finish was one of organised chaos mixed with affection, goodwill and total madness.
It is impossible to single out any one item or person, but there are a number of things that helped me in particular. The organization of activities and the friendly competition contained in them, the camaraderie of the Families, the exquisite costumes and outfits, the meeting with old friends and the making of new ones and the feeling of belonging. Hearing new stories and recalling previous ones meant that you felt included without pressure. I was entertained, educated and involved all at the same time.
There were people from all backgrounds and experiences, but underlying all of this was a shared ethos originally generated by one man – Sir Terry Pratchett. Llamedos was, I think, a vibrant example of what he would have enjoyed and loved, I know I did. The inclusivity, appreciation of differences, and the caring is impossible to quantify.
This wouldn’t have happened however without the hard work and effort of a dedicated team of volunteer organizers led by Rwby, Rincewind and the Purple Coats and tribute must be paid to them. I honestly don’t know how they did it, it must have been exhausting, but I for one deeply appreciate it.
I came away exhausted, but refreshed, and feeling better than I had for quite a while, and grateful for the fact that there are people who believe that all people matter. So – Llamedos - “It doesn’t stop being magic just because you know how it works.” (Sir Terry Pratchett)
Graham Hood
I attended this year's Hogs Ball at Llamedos Holiday Camp, and ahead of the event I didn't really know what to expect. The info from the team was great, about what to bring and so on,but this was my first Terry Pratchett themed event. I have been to various expo's, cons, meets and camps, but never before been to one set in the Discworld. I had read some of the books but it is my partner who is the avid fan.
From the moment we arrived, I felt not just welcome but at home. Sometimes when you attend an event that has been running for a while and a lot of the same folks come back year after year, it can be a bit cliquey, but there was none of that. Everyone, whether they were staff, long time attendees or other newbies like myself was really welcoming and looking forward to a weekend of fun and escapism.
The Discworld family themed groups put you with some people as a starting point to get to know people and also ready made teams for the events over the weekend. The welcome packs we received on arrival as well as a few tasty treats included an activity log for us to keep track of activities completed over the weekend so you could earn your prize, and the mix of activities between stuff you could do quietly by yourself, and group things you could do with your team was really good, as well as a way to make up points if you missed an activity or just didn't fancy one.
The highlights of the weekend were probably the charity auction in aid of a fantastic charity, neither my partner nor I won anything this time but we saw some amazing things come up, and the talent show where contestants from the various families took turns to entertain us all, partly for decorations for their Hogswatch tree, and partly just for fun. The troll singers and puppet show were personal favourites but everyone who went up on stage was great. A highlight for me was probably the pig racing as I managed to get a win for the dwarfs in that one, and we definitely didn't do any dragon racing so no one got in trouble.
We left the weekend both buzzing and telling our friends about it. We are already planning to go back in 2028, and probably will be taking a few more folks with us.
Andrea Richardson
It was great to return to the Diplomat for another Llamedos Holiday Camp. This small but fun mini-convention is an immersive, fan-run event. It is for fans of Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld books and includes themed activities, a costume ball, and lots of entertainment.
This year the theme was The Hogs Balls, so we all had to be ready for Hogswatch (the Discworld equivalent of Christmas). The whole site is given over to this event so we were all here for one reason, which means other hotel guests don’t get confused when someone in a troll costume is talking to someone else dressed as a witch in the hotel bar! This was my third time attending and as always it was great fun from the minute you walk into the hotel. I see faces I know well, lots of hugs and hellos to be shared. And I meet new people who will be friends by the end of this 3 day event.
The hotel is very comfortable, with a nice bar to relax in, a huge event space for the 150 odd guests, and a small gym and swimming pool if you want to get away from the chaos for a bit.
The event is fully catered by excellent staff and the food is good, with most dietary requirements catered for. You are placed in teams or families and you can earn rewards for your team to become the winners for the weekend. There are games and activities such as a nobbly knees contest, hog racing, bingo, and a talent show. We could make Hogswatch decorations and there was a prize for the best decorated tree. The costume ball is the highlight of the last night when everyone dresses up. Overall this is a great event which you can take part in as little or as much as you choose, but it’s definitely more fun when you do!
Gillian Anthony
Llamedos magically appears every two years in a hotel in South Wales, with an event for the inhabitants of Discworld. Due to L-space 1 Roundworld inhabitants are able to attend, too. There have been Dragon Trials, a Scout Camp, and, this year, a Hogswatch Ball. All run vaguely as a cross between the event theme and an old-style holiday camp. Yes, it sounds mad. It shouldn’t work. It could be cliché or cliquey or even a bit pretentious. But it does work, and it is a joyous celebration of friendship and fun, with great care taken to make everyone feel involved and part of a big family. And it is incredibly well run, with meticulous attention to detail.
This year, with it being Hogswatch, there were all the usual 2 activities expected at that time, with all attendees gathered into ‘families.’ The Friday opened with everyone finding their ‘family table,’ having dinner and then low-key after-dinner party games: pass-the-parcel around the table, and Taskmaster with a ‘family’ champion – to win a Christmas tree. It was a lovely way to start getting to know the other people on your table, as well as joining in as much or as little as you wanted.
Saturday and Sunday were full of optional activities, a blend of active and calm; from an obstacle race, to crafting. A very clever and funny ‘radio’ play, a paperchain challenge. Some favourites from previous years – the bingo calling got gradually more unhinged, the Nobby’s Knees competition was funnier than it should have been – and some created for Hogswatch – a very thoughtful Hogswatch gift exchange, and tree decorating.
Throughout it all was one simple thread: the spirit of Hogswatch. Everyone was there to join in, to have a good time, to meet new people and old friends, to support each other and cheer at every opportunity. And kill off the druid 3.
I went on my own for the first time in 2024, knowing nobody. I came away not only with new friends but a feeling of having found a space I could genuinely relax in. Llamedos is something very very special. It is more than an event. It is family.