With the theme for Camp Bestival and some of the headline acts being announced at the tail end of last year – only a few months after Camp Bestival closed for 2017 – it’s not hard to start planning ahead when it comes to who we’d like to see, events we want to take part in, and food we’d like to eat!
There were so many highlights when it came to Camp Bestival last year. Whether it was the wonderful food we ate, the amazing music we listened to live, or the fact that we met some lovely people for the first time over the course of the weekend. It was certainly an experience we’d never had before!
I have no doubt that this year will be no different. If anything, I’m expecting it to be better now that we know what’s in store when it comes to camping with a toddler! Looking at the Camp Bestival Instagram feed, I already have a list (or three) detailing the things I NEED to see this year. There are, of course, some favourites from last year, but there’s now also a TON of new acts and shows thanks to some recent announcements.
Music
Rick Astley is probably my not-so-guilty pleasure, and when it was announced that they would be one of the headline acts over the weekend, both Sharon and I immediately started texting each other with delight! Other acts we’re equally excited about are Clean Bandit and the Basement Jaxx DJ set.
Sara Cox was a scream last year; I still have vivid memories of huge crowds reciting classics like the Time Warp. This year, however, we see a new addition to the line-up in the form of Fearne Cotton.
Food
Last year, our highlights were Anna Mae’s Mac and Cheese, The Feast Collective Tent, and Happy Maki, as well as treats from the churros stall and the Brownie Company! This year, however, we’re being introduced to the delightful River Cottage! I’ve heard so much about River Cottage – I can’t wait to see what they have in store. I’m also looking forward to trying DJ BBQ (hopefully) as there was always a queue when we tried to visit last year!
Entertainment
In between music sets or during mealtimes, we often made our way to one of the many tents on site to watch a show, or listen to some comedy or a book reading, and this year will be no different. However within space of a few weeks, I’ve already marked down some very family-friendly acts that T will lose his mind over. These are Peter Rabbit, Peppa Pig, and Paddington Bear! T isn’t a huge fan of Peppa Pig if I’m honest (not that I’m complaining!) but he is going to go banzai for Peter Rabbit!
EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/BgvYoZkhTcB/
New additions to the set list this year also include Dinosaur World Live, the Nautical Gorilla Circus Show & Flying Trapeze School, and ZSL London Zoo: Gruesome Nature!
Acts such as Mr Tumble and Mr Maker will also be returning for another year, which will be awesome to watch as T is REALLY into these guys now, whereas last year he was just starting to find them amusing. He’ll be a proper fan-boy this year.
For us adults, I’m really looking forward to seeing Sean Lock and Andrew Maxwell when it comes to comedy! There’s also the return of Caravanserai, the magnificent wonder-stage jam-packed with trapeze artists, pogo workshops, and hoedowns!
EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bg1iey3Bc9m/
Exploration
I have no idea how we managed to fit anything else into our weekend around the music and entertainment, but somehow we squeezed in a few visits to the Dingly Dell and the Fairground, which we will no doubt squeeze in this year too. I’m also hoping to have a few goes on the World’s Biggest Bouncy Castle (it was shut for a large portion due to the weather last tear) as well as give the Spinney Hollow a try now that T is that bit older and is quite into craft. Sword making, however, can be my treat!
If you’re going to Camp Bestival this year, I’d love to know what you’re looking forward to the most. What have I missed off?
Ticket information
Camp Bestival 2018 Weekend Tickets are now on sale at ‘Early Bird’ prices! Book via the ticket line on 0844 888 4410.
Camp Bestival 2018 Weekend Ticket* prices:
- Adults: £180.00
- Students: £175.00
- Teens Aged 13 to 17: £111.20
- Children Aged 10 to 12: £84.75
- Children Aged 5 to 9: £31.75
- Children Aged 4 & Under: £10.60
Tickets for babes-in-arms (1 & under) are FREE (but do still require a ticket, so must be included in each booking).
* All weekend tickets include access to the general campsites from Thursday to Monday.
Additional Camp Bestival options:
- Car parking is £20, to be booked in advance.
- Camping Plus, Boutique, Backstage and Hospitality camping options are also available.
- Campervan / Motorhome Tickets are available for £90 – please read the campervan / motorhome info for specifics.
- Caravan / Trailer Tent Tickets are available for £100 – please read the caravan / trailer tent info for specifics.
- Festival programme packs are available for £10 (reserve your festival programme pack with your booking to collect on site at the festival).
Please note: All prices mentioned were correct at the time of writing.
