8 Reasons (of many!) Why You NEED To Go To Camp Bestival. [AD – Press Trip]
Last week, Camp Bestival announced the theme for their 2018 festival: Camp Bestival Sets Sail.
Last year we had so much fun. It was our first EVER festival and T’s first time camping, and despite the hit and miss weather we vowed to return every year.
Based in Dorset, it’s only 3-4 hours away from us with one toilet stop; meaning we were able to get there before the gates opened and have the tent built before lunchtime!
If you’ve never been to Camp Bestival (or camping for that matter) Camp Bestival is a brilliant place to start for the family. There’s a reason why it’s recently been voted the best family festival by Family Traveller!
It Gets You Away.
Although there’s still available WiFi available to connect you to the outside world, Camp Bestival really gets you away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday, and allows you to let your hair down if you really want to (although I couldn’t go the whole weekend without a shower!).
Whether you’re having mud fights in the Dingly Dell, listening to poetry or fairytales, taking part in some yoga, or learning how to juggle – you can do it all at Camp Bestival (although plan ahead!)
It’s 100% Family Friendly.
Whether it’s the variety of camping options; from Basic Camping to Camping Plus to Backstage Camping to Boutique Camping there’s something for everyone. One of our biggest worries when we first went were the facilities and what they’d be like when it came to showering or going to the toilet, however our worries were quickly washed away with the rain when we saw decent showers (for a camp site!) and plenty of food options near to the camp sites (some 24 hours!) that even offered hot milk for babies. There was also a convenience shop on site as well as several places to charge your mobile.
In addition to facilities, being a family festival meant that a lot of the music was finished by 10pm or 11pm at the stages further away from the camp site. We managed to camp quite close to the site (although we could have camped closer) on top of a hill and we couldn’t hear a thing at night and we found that other residents were really considerate of others (apart from one night where shouting ‘BOGIES’ (thanks Dick and Dom) was the height of entertainment before bed!). We also felt safe around the site and didn’t worry once about our tent being broken into – it just had a great atmosphere!
Plus, a lot of the activities and entertainment on site are free, although I would still take plenty of cash with you for food and added extras such as the fun fair or woodland activities. For the whole weekend we took £250 for the four of us for food and extras but came back with change and plenty of merchandise and memorabilia!
The Music!
One of the highlights of last year’s festival was the music. In one weekend we saw All Saints, Madness, Right Said Fred, and Mr Tumble, plus more! It was incredible, and T had so much fun dancing and seeing live music. We were incredibly lucky in that if T didn’t fancy staying up with us he’d either doze on us or in the wagon.
The Food!!
Before attending Camp Bestival I didn’t know what to expect with the food. I’d heard great things about the variety but still expected a high majority of burger vans or pizza ovens. This was not the case. Everywhere you looked there were places to grab a bite to eat and the queues never seemed that long.
From vegan and vegetarian dishes to full on meat, healthy to the not so healthy, to cuisine from another world. In the weekend we went T tried Indonesian curry, sushi, hog roast, and gourmet mac and cheese, not to mention CHURROS!!! But don’t worry, if you have a fussy eater on your hands there also plenty of places to grab some simple chips or a bowl of chilli, and in the evenings; gin!
The Fun!!!
When you’re not camped up at the main stage, there’s also plenty to see and do around the rest of the site. Whether it’s watching a science show or trapeze act, taking part in arts and crafts, playing in the soft play, or simply riding the merry-go-round half a dozen times, Camp Bestival isn’t just about the music!
One of our favourite places was the Dingly Dell woods. We have already vowed to make sure we spend more time there as we didn’t realise there was so much going on. T will be that much older next year so will hopefully take part in a few more of the classes and activities! We’re also hoping to have a bounce on the worlds biggest bouncy castle!
The Fireworks!!!!
Another highlight of our weekend were the Fireworks at the end; closing the festival. Although we were sad that our weekend was coming to an end, it was a fantastic way to end it. Partying alongside the fireworks was an impressive display of light, music, and video projected directly onto Lulworth Castle.
The Other Stuff!!!!!
What else is there to mention? How about the fact that there are a number of ways you can get to Camp Bestival if you don’t have a car? Or the fact that if Camping isn’t your thing you can stay at nearby hotels or B&B’s! There’s also shopping to do and the nearby Lulworth Cove to visit.
If you’re still not convinced, check out some of the other bloggers who have been and what they thought of their time at Camp Bestival:
Kelly Allen Writer: Our Family Trip to Camp Bestival.
My Two Mums: Kid Activities at Camp Bestival
Tents and Festivals: Our 2017 Camp Bestival
Ticket Info
Camp Bestival 2018 Weekend Tickets are now on sale at *early bird* prices!
Call Ticketline on: 0844 888 4410
PRICES (All tickets include camping* from Thursday)
Adult Weekend Ticket – £180.00
Student Weekend Ticket – £175.00
Age 13 to 17 Weekend Ticket – £111.20
Age 10 to 12 Weekend Ticket – £84.75
Age 5 to 9 Weekend Ticket – £31.75
Age 4 & Under Weekend Ticket – £10.60
Babes in Arms (1 & Under) – FREE (but do require a ticket).
Car Parking – £20 in advance
Camp Bestival Ticket Terms & Conditions
*Camping Plus, Boutique, Backstage and Hospitality tickets are also available.
Campervan Ticket (Field A) – £90 – please read Campervan T&Cs here before booking
Caravan / Trailer Tent Ticket (Field A) – £100 – please read Caravan / Trailer Tent T&Cs here before booking
Festival Programme Pack – £10 (reserve your festival programme pack to collect on site at the festival)
Thanks for the link. It really is such an amazing event.
So many good reasons. I’m a bit of a purist so it’s mainly about the music for me! I must get around to going one year, the girls would love it.
Nat.x
Hi, Kate! this is an amazing article! It`s great to have a festival like this one that you can enjoy with your whole family. It really sounds and looks like you had a great time. I was wondering was there anything you wish you knew before camping on this festival for the first time?
Hi. I don’t think there was anything we would have liked to have known as we kinda expected it all (the good and the bad!). I guess maybe the price of extra excursions would have been nice to plan for.