Setting Sail For Camp Bestival!
Festivals with kids are very different to festivals without. Think a lot less alcohol, a lot more sugar, but perhaps equal amounts of glitter. So it was with great trepidation that my husband and I headed to Lakefest last year with our two toddlers. Though we’re fully accustomed to sleepless nights by now, the up-all-nights of our former lives were for very different reasons. But we’re parents, not hermits, and why should we give up one of our greatest loves – festival going – just because we’ve acquired a couple of kids? We shouldn’t, and we won’t!
Lakefest last year was a great success, but this year we can’t make it, so we’ve decided to go bigger and better and book up Camp Bestival.
Camp Bestival is renowned as the most child-friendly festival in the country, providing entertainment for all the family. So Mummy gets her 80s nostalgia fix with Rick Astley, Daddy buys into some Britpop with Shed Seven, and the Small People get meet and greets with all their favourite teatime characters from Peter Rabbit and Peppa Pig to Paddington Bear and Mr Tumble. It all sounds too good to be true…
Friends and family have recommended Camp Bestival to us before, but we’ve been unwilling to take the plunge of such a big festival with two such small humans. However, we are assured that every need is catered for, from trailer-friendly tracks to a dedicated kids field. There’s also a fancy dress theme to get everyone into the spirit from the moment they arrive.
Festi-holiday frolics ahoy, the Camp Bestival Sets Sail theme encourages everyone to get nautical, dress up and decorate their trailers.
The weekend runs from the 26th to 29th July in the shadows of Dorset’s beautiful Lulworth Castle. Mainstage headline sets come courtesy of Simple Minds, Rick Astley and Clean Bandit, with Orbital and Basement Jaxx topping the Big Top bill. There’s more music from Sara Cox presents Just Can’t Get Enough 80 (that’s Mummy sorted!) , Huey Morgan’s NYC Block Party, Stereo MCs, The Undertones, Pop Will Eat Itself, Jesus Jones and the fantastic family-rave Big Fish Little Fish.
There are family shows and entertainment from Mr Tumble, Dick and Dom, Mister Maker & the Shapes, Dinosaur World Live, Ballet with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Pirates of Penzance – The Musical, meet and greets with Peter Rabbit, Paddington and Pepper Pig, Royal Albert Hall’s Seafaring Symphony & Workshops, the return of ‘Come Dancing’ In Spiegeltent with Karen Hardy Studios, Underwater Carnival Night Parade, Sailing Talks with High Seas Adventurers, Pirate Bedtime Stories, The World of Supersaurs and Now That’s What I Call Sea Shanties.
But it’s not all about the kids. We’re planning to take Nanma so she can spend quality time with the sproglets while we enjoy some grown up music and also catch some comedy from the likes of Sean Lock, Dave Johns, and Andrew Maxwell.
Dedicated kids activities will include HMS Camp Bestival hosted by the Blue Coats, a Pirate Sandpit, the Dingly Dell featuring Den Building and Tree Climbing, a Crafty Cabin with Katie Jones’ Knit and Lizzie King’s Tie-Dye, and an Insect Circus and Museum.
Camp Bestival, now in its tenth year, is the little sister of September’s famous Bestival in the Isle of White, both organised by veteran DJ Rob Da Bank. There are various camping options available depending on how much you love your home comforts and how much you want to spend. Keep an eye on www.campbestival.net and the Facebook and Twitter pages for all the latest info.
Camp Bestival Ticket Info:
Camp Bestival 2018 will take place on July 26th – 29th. Early Bird tickets and Weekly Payment Plan are on sale now. Book Tickets here / 0844 888 4410
WEEKLY PAYMENT PLAN
The Camping Bestival 2018 Weekly Payment Plan is on sale now. Book online via Ticketline only. All weekend tickets include camping from Thursday, please refer to the Camp Bestival Ticket Terms & Conditions.
