Camp Bestival 2018

Camp Bestival – The perfect family holiday?

Last weekend, we excitedly headed to Lulworth Castle for Camp Bestival. We had all been looking forward to it for months and Baby had been on a daily countdown for the last couple of weeks.

We had a wonderful time last year and knew it would be an even better experience this year for her, as she is now approaching three and a half.

Camp Bestival

We had decided to pay for Camping Plus this time round. Last year, the trek from camp to pitch nearly killed Mr Hubby. Camping Plus has less of a walk (still not a cake walk!) and also has the benefit of 24 hour free showers, it’s own shop and two cafés. You select your pitch at the time of booking and it’s all marked out for you when you arrive, meaning there’s less pressure to get there really early to ensure you have a good pitch.

After quite a stressful time putting up the tent in the wind, we settled in before going to explore.

Camp Bestival

Even when not fully open it’s such an exciting place. Baby had her first experience of a big wheel and we wandered around soaking up the atmosphere.

Camp Bestival

I am going to write about Baby’s experience in more detail over the next couple of days, but I thought today I would share more of a standard review, in case all of the social media last weekend got you thinking about snapping up tickets for next year and you’re curious to know more.

Camp Bestival is like no other music festival. We have been to a fair few over the years and Camp Bestival has a strong family focus, with lots to do for all the family, especially the kids.

Where to stay

Camp Bestival offers various accommodation, you can bring your own tent, stay in a pre-pitched one in Pitch Village, or upgrade to one of the various accommodation types offered by one of their partners, such as airstream vans, Bell tents, Pods etc.  However, be prepared, these options aren’t cheap.

As mentioned, last year we were in general camping and this year we were in Camping Plus. There was definitely less of a hill and less of a walk from the car to pitch in Camping Plus than general camping, but the distance from pitch to site was very similar.

Showers in Camping Plus

Please don’t judge, but I have never showered at a festival before. I always feel awful by the time it’s home time and so this year I decided to find a daily shower. The bonus of Camping Plus is the access to 24 hour showers. On the first morning, woken by a excitable small person at 5.10am, I decided to head to the shower about 5.45am, I was met with no queues and a lovely warm shower, bliss!

However, the second day things were not as pleasant or as easy. Mr Hubby went first and did have to queue a little. Unfortunately, the showers were having big issues and his shower was that cold it gave him a headache. I ventured up a while later and after queuing for about 45 mins to an hour, I refused to accept a cold one, and waited until someone left a shower looking happy before I chose that one.  The following day the queue was only a few people long, but there were still issues with hot water, again I just waited for a hot one to come free.

Feeding the family

Camp Bestival

Many people take food and cook at their tents, however we don’t even take a stove. There are so many places to eat it’s quite mind-blowing. This year I was doing the Cambridge Diet, taking my bars with me, but Baby and Mr Hubby ate the festival food, which was really lovely. Like food at any event, it isn’t the cheapest, but in general it’s really tasty (I remember from last year!). If you want to save a little the WI tent is a great place to go, they do tea and coffee for £1, where at other stalls it can be £2-2.50 and they offer cakes, sandwiches and bacon rolls. I even overheard them trying to find jam to make some little kids jam sandwiches, as that’s what they fancied.

Camp Bestival

Baby and Mr Hubby had a variety of meals; lovely corn on the cob, hotdogs (Baby’s new favourite!), Chilli and garlic bread from the Garlic Farm shop and Pad Tai. Mr Hubby picked up a lovely salad from the Farmers Market and Baby enjoyed ice cream from  a fab retro dessert stall. Price wise most of the main meals were around £8-10.

Entertainment

You might have been to other family-type festivals, but nothing will have truly prepared you for everything Camp Bestival has to offer. There’s so much to do for all of the family, but let’s first focus on;

The kids;

Art Town – I huge tent packed with countless art activities for kids to create and all for free.

Camp Bestival

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Science tent – To tie in with the outer space theme, there were lots of science experiments and crafting.

Face painting – In addition the the main central team of face painters, there were also some smaller places offering a variety of face painting.

Face painting

World’s largest bouncy castle

Bouncy Castle

Inflatable church discos (although adults love this too!)

Fairground rides – Carousel, helter skelter, and some smaller rides; these rides are such a wonderful addition to the festival.

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Camp Bestival

Farm animals – A local family farm offered various animal petting sessions with donkeys, chicks and ducks.

Camp Bestival

50 things meadow – The National Trust meadow hosting a variety of creative activities and good old fashioned fun too.

Camp Bestival

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Playground – Situated in Dingly Dell and featuring a huge slide!

Lizzie’s Way – A beautiful area with a mud kitchen, photo/props spot and lots of wonderful touches making it a very special area.

Bigtop Mania – Circus skills, huge inflatables and bubble/balloon discos.

Camp Bestival

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For adults;

Literary institute – various talks and performances, even including writing classes.

Camp Bestival

Music – While the music might not be on a par with festivals like Reading or Glastonbury, there are multiple stages offering a wide selection of music. This year the headliners were Tears for Fears and Fat Boy Slim.

Slo motion – A contemporary well being area with yoga and restorative therapies.

Festival kitchen – Cooking demonstrations.

Supper clubs

Secret mummies wine club

Shade Makers carnival workout

Ryde Extreme Performers Fire Show

The atmosphere at Camp Bestival is amazing, all of the staff are so friendly which really help to create a wonderful space to enjoy everything this amazing festival has to offer. As mentioned, it isn’t a cheap experience, even if you stay in general camping. However, it’s worth baring in mind that it’s unlike any other holiday you can go on with regards to the sheer amount there is to do (a significant proportion of it is free). It’s an experience we won’t forget in a hurry and Baby is already on the countdown to next year!

Disclosure: We are official Camp Bestival bloggers and received free general passes in return for an honest review.

Comments 9

  1. Wow, I am seriously considering this for next year! Your photos are stunning and it all looks like so much fun. You’re not alone, I’ve never showered at a festival either – for some reason the thought of showering there seems more disgusting than not having one (but maybe that says more about the kinds of festivals I’ve been going to!) I really appreciate the honest review of the showers – it’s a big consideration for me! #TheList

  2. I was chatting to a few people on twitter about Camp Bestival, it looks amazing. Do you know I’ve never been to a festival? Never mind taken the kids. This does look so much fun though. x

  3. It looks amazing. So many great pictures too. Love the face paint. I can’t believe how many activities there were for kids, so much for them to see and do. Looks like Baby had a fab time. #thelist

  4. Looks like a great festival. I’ve been to Latitude before which is very child friendly and Deer Shed isn’t too far from us so Bestival hadn’t really come onto our radar until this year. Definitely worth adding to the maybe list for when our little one is old enough though 🙂

  5. It sounds like such a brilliant event. It is a shame about those pesky showers, but hopefully it’ll be something on the forefront of their minds for next year. I don’t judge you for not showering 😉 I have trouble using public toilets. At least your first one was lovely and warm. Your pictures are beautiful and Baby is such a sweetie! I also admire you for sticking to your diet while there, and well done on your success with it xx thanks for hosting #thelist lovely

  6. Oh it looks so fantastic! Um, Baby is a proper little lady now – she’s so tall too! I’m totally with you on the showering thing – it’s one of the main reasons I’ve never camped. And the bugs. *shudder* x x

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