Camp Bestival Dorset returned in full spirits, 29–31 July 2022, after postponing the festival in 2020 due to COVID-19 and a tentative 2021 return.
Since then I’ve become a father for a second time, so I was keen to see if Camp Bestival is deserving of the numerous best-family-festival awards it has received since its debut in 2008.
I’d never been to the event — the brainchild of Rob and Josie Da Bank, following in the spiritual success of the original Bestival — but now felt as good a time as any to embrace a new type of festival vibe suitable for all the family.
Below are my top tips and observations for families and festival-goers following my visit to the Dorset edition at Lulworth Castle with my wife, our 3.5-year-old and our 3-month-old, on Friday 29 July 2022.
Know
- Camp Bestival is very popular with parents and young children, if not exclusively catered for them. If you’re not comfortable with this or prefer a more adult crowd, then you probably need something else.
- It’s physically hard to move around the main Castle Field music stage due to the number of buggies, camping chairs, mats, trollies, cool boxes and sleeping children! Tread carefully and keep movement to a minimum when an act has started.
- The camping area is separate to the arena, but there’s no physical divide between the two (or guards checking), so you can bring your own drink and resources between the campsites and the stages.
- Camping is on a slope in places, so be prepared to pitch and sleep with your head facing uphill (and for things — and people — to roll down to one side!)
- Most of the children’s acts are on the main stage in the morning, so don’t miss them! We arrived at 1pm and missed the majority of the children’s TV acts.
- If you have very young children, breastfeeding respite and support is available from the NCT tent.
Prepare
- For a long walk from the car park to the site — from the yellow car park you’ll walk through the campsite to reach the arena.
- To find shade. The site is set on mostly open fields, and there isn’t much beyond the stalls’ shadows — bring sun cream.
- Bring ear defenders for small children. It’s loud, even in the kids’ areas.
- For a dirty car on the dusty tracks on the way out.
- It’s card-only payment for most stalls, so your cash might not be accepted.
- It’s not cheap. On our day, on a budget, we spent: £15 day parking; £3.50 ice cream ×3; face paint £7; henna £11; toilet donations ×2 £2; £24 for two wraps and chips; £9 Buddha bowl; £8 for two iced coffees; £4 for two cokes — £92.50 total.
- If you’re crowd- or COVID-wary, note that the tent areas (like Bollywood and the Big Top) often pack out during the busiest acts, and some don’t have side access.
Don’t forget to…
- Bring a cart or similar for children and all their associated accessories! Carts double up as mobile beds for the most knackered.
- Bring suitable shoes for long walks across the site and car parks.
- Use the WaterAid toilets for one of the cleanest toilet experiences on-site.
- Visit the areas behind the castle — more of a fun-fair vibe in the upper kids’ circle.
- Catch some comedy or alt-acts — a nice break and more intimate setting than the louder musical acts.
- Buy a programme ASAP — they sold out by Friday. It has the listings and maps in it.
See and do
- Visit the festival’s iconic robot and get a selfie. Taking a picture here is obligatory — otherwise you were never there.
- Watch out for the travelling bands across the site, such as the Indian players.
- Get face paint or henna.
- Browse the clothing, arts and crafts stalls in the Lower Kids Garden.
- Get a picture of the castle and the nearby frames begging for you to stand underneath them.
- Visit the literature tent for your chance to meet a famous author and hear the stories behind the stories (plus rest!)
- The DJ BBQ hut — a DJ booth and a BBQ stand with air guitarists? It’s now pretty infamous and it’s easy to see why. I wish I’d spent more time here.
Summary
Despite only spending a short time at the festival (one day), it’s incredibly easy to see why Camp Bestival has earned the reputation as one of the UK’s best family festivals. It oozes appeal for ages spanning the generations, respecting that both kids and adults are likely to enjoy similar activities and festival acts together.
With the exception of the obvious festival expenses and busy footfall areas during the daytime, I can wholeheartedly recommend Camp Bestival to other mums, dads and children (under 14, ideally), and can easily see why it continues to be deserving of its titles. Welcome back, and long shall you continue, Camp Bestival!
Have you been to Camp Bestival? What other family festivals do you recommend? Tell us — verified tips earn a named credit on our Camp Bestival travel guide.