Last July, I took my then 2 and half year old son to his first weekend festival. Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle in Dorset. Camp Bestival is the family focussed little sister of Bestival on the Isle of Wight (which happens at the end of August). We went with friends and their children. Camp Bestival for us was a well organised pleasure of a festival. The children’s field was a blast, we listened to folk bands and to Peppa pig read stories, saw the Royal Ballet teach steps, made masks and dressed up. Older children could pick from the house of fairy tales area, skate boarding and BMX bike displays and of course lots of bands and music. Adults were entertained with poets and comedy, bars and music tents. Adults, children, teenagers all very much catered for.
We stayed in a B&B on Thursday night to break the journey it was only an hour from the site. However, the queues onto get on the site were long and we sat in traffic for most of the morning (be prepared).
This is my guide to surviving Camp Bestival:
Every item of food is priced at a least £5. We took basic food; pasta, pesto, a pan and small camping stove and fed children back at the tent. There is nothing more annoying than spending £5 on a burger which then after one bite your child rejects.
We used the stove to make tea, a God send in the morning, unless you have a willing member of the party happy to rise and go in search of tea. Bring a supply of tea bags, milk and sugar. Breakfast bars or brioche make for an easy tent breakfast for the kids.
A water carrier for washing pans and tea. Camping shops sell great foldable ones.
Ear plugs and extra blankets for a good nights sleep.
Things to keep warm (wooly hat).
Things to keep wet weather at bay.
Flip flops and sun cream (sometimes the sun does shine).
Torch.
Festivals are frenetic. I like time in the late afternoon early evening, chill time at the tent. So I suggest; your own personal spirit of choice. This is your time too and no one is driving, not until Monday anyway.
Toilet roll. The toilets were clean. Checked regularly and well stocked with loo roll but your own supply is always handy.
Hand wash and baby wipes.
Children were given a wrist band to wear, on which a parent can write their mobile number.
There was very little mobile phone signal and the tent in which you could charge your phone didn’t turn up. My iphone worked itself into a frenzy of signal searching on Friday and remained resolutely in the red battery zone for the rest of the weekend and was thus turned off. My son refused to wear the wrist band anyway.
Keep your small child in sight. Security is good. Lost children are a regular event and appeared to be quickly reunited.
Dressing up is de rigueur, I hate dressing up, but was so glad I bothered.
Get a trolley. The website promised you could hire them and everyone had the same thought. The queue was long. I admired the clever people who brought their own trolleys or wheel barrows. I staggered along with all our kit, whilst my son wandered along behind whingeing because he didn’t want to walk.
Some people had huge tents, picnic tables, barbecues, blow up beds, the kitchen sink and someone had carried all that. Pack what you need and then bring less.
It was pretty near perfect (carrying stuff and mobile phones aside). The sun shone and there was much to do.
Mr Noo dislikes festivals for the fact he cannot escape. I love them for the same reason, it’s like being marooned away from the outside world, only festival world exists. The atmosphere was happy and relaxed, not particularly rowdy or drunk. There is a huge range of food at every turn and an enormous array of things to see, hear and do. When I checked today there were still tickets available.
This year’s Camp Bestival is 28-31st July. Lulworth Castle, Dorset. The Line-up looks great. It’s not cheap but your worth it!
This post is linked to ‘Something for the Weekend’ at Christine’s imaginative and intelligent blog Thinly Spread, if you’re looking for something to do any weekend drop in here.
Impressive stuff.Not sure I’m ready for that yet!
Really, once your set up – it is brilliant – cos it so family friendly – trust me….
so so so so so want to go but can’t afford it!!!!!
Am ready to take all 3 of them as well, maybe next year xx
You would love it! but it is steep. Mr Noo didn’t come with and that saved a stack! Went with 2 mates and their kids – was fab
Thanks so much for posting this Gemma!! I love you long time! Xxxx
For you anything – now I want a report back X
We took the girls( two 3yr olds and a 4 yr old) last year and loved loved loved it. Heading there again this year. So much to do, so much to see.Very relaxed and easy as pretty much everyone is a parent.
beautifully summed up! thank you and enjoy XX
That sounds fab. For something like Camp Bestival I may, *may* be encouraged to lose my camping virginity….I said MAYBE. Don’t hold me to that!
Really, it’s only sort of like proper camping. You can go post camping on site, there are yurts, huts or even tents pitched for you with the option of hot showers? Am I tempting you? X
We had tickets for this year, but due to my op had to give it a pass. We used to be regulars at Reading, so can not wait to take the boys, next year maybe
Oh gosh! what a shame! Festivals are great – would love to hear in the future how Reading compares with and without children.
Best wishes XX
Very helpful! I was within a whisker of going with sponsorship, now I shall sit in the dry warmth of my house crafting and listening to loud music while wearing a waterproof poncho just to get in the mood!
Be very nice to everyone around you and dress up in Medieval attire and you have it bang on. X
Would have loved to go, but couldn’t afford it. Was offered two press passes but required me to review acts I couldn’t have done with small child in tow. Next year maybe.
Next year! It is a wonderful experience but I think the joy is going with the flo and not feeling you have to do anything unless it suits – so I think you made right decision.
Oh look, lots of my favourite people dropped in on this one, do you know what that means? Next year we are all going!
Great post Gemma, still considering the Just So Festival, so will take all this info on board!
x
There’s a message there! Bloggers area next year?? Thing is there are so many festivals to choose from…. But I would go back xx
Hi, Camp Bestval was my first festival last year & with a 4 & 2 year old. Absolutely loved it! We are counting down the sleeps in our house till Thursday! Would highly recommend it to all those who aren’t sure. A very informative blog,I also blogged about it earlier! (MelkshamMum)
Oh I wish I was going too! Enjoy the weekend. Thanks for lovely comment – will check out your post. X
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