Camp Bestival Dorset 2024 Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS EXPERIENCE WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST/S FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Maddie Alexander-Grout
I am a big festival goer, I go to about 4 festivals a year, I have been doing this every year since I was 15 and I am now 40, but I have never done a festival with my kids before.
I have ADHD and ASD and the idea of taking my 9 year old B and my 5 year old H filled me with dread.
So when What’s Good To Do asked me to review Camp Bestival I saw it as a chance to push myself out of my comfort zone.
Neurodivergent mum and two neurodivergent kids what could go wrong?
H decided a few days before we left that she doesn’t like sleeping bags, or options so on that basis she didn’t want to come.
I invited my best friend, her husband and 3 year old J along to join us.
We paid for camping plus, and got an amazing pitch, it was quite pricey but for the peace of mind of knowing we had a spot that was 5 minutes walk into the arena it was brilliant.
We had 5 metres by 7 metres per pitch and we joined them together to make a super pitch. We cordoned off the middle with wind breaks to make a large area for the boys to play in.
Our area was right at the bottom of Blue and it was super quiet which really helped to get the boys to bed. I should mention B and J had both never even camped before.
We arrived quite late on the Friday and luckily missed the rain. We headed in for a wander around, the first thing I saw was the world’s biggest bouncy castle, B clocked it immediately. J was a bit small to go on so B went on his own. £5 for 10 minutes, which I was really impressed with, I paid £5 for 10 minutes at my local park on the smallest bouncy castle in the world, so I thought for a festival it was brilliant value.
We then went to get food. We got a camp kids plus bundle. Which was the best decision! £39.99 for the weekend which gave us a drawstring bag with a refillable water bottle , unlimited fruit, lunch, dinner and a sweet treat every day. Kids meals from every food stall were £6 each was pretty good value on its own. So if you don’t buy the camp kids extra you would be paying £18 a day for lunch dinner and sweet treat.
And then drinks too, you get a free juice carton with lunch. So you save £14 on the food and more on snacks and drinks.
The variety of food on site was fantastic, B is fussy but I managed to give him something different that he liked for every meal.
B wasn’t a massive fan of the lunches from the camp kids’ tent. So I saved some money and I ate them myself and bought him kids meals. Which probably saved us a fair amount. I had a pesto pasta pot and a chicken wrap. Both were delicious. And healthy.
I don’t drink so I was on the soft drinks, and I spent most of the weekend enjoying the slush puppy stand at the back of the Castle stage. I bought a refillable bottle for £6.50 and then the refills were £3.50 but even a cup was £3.75 which again I think for festival prices is really good value.
There was so much to do for free at the festival, you get given a camp passport when you arrive for the kids, and for every activity you do you get a stamp. There were things like a fashion show, basket weaving, making instruments, painting, sand art, bubble blowing, face painting. Honestly I could go on forever but there is lots for all ages. B’s favourite was the circus skills. He spent hours on the Diablo and now wants one for his birthday! Way cheaper than an Xbox!
They had plenty of rides which were suitable for kids, even small ones. B and J went of the Ferris wheel a few times, the Helter Skelter and the swing merry go round.
I did not! Rides are not my favourite! But I loved watching them on them.
I love how colourful and vibrant the festival was, there was such a happy vibe there.
The atmosphere was just electric and every single person I spoke to was super friendly.
I didn’t see a single sign of violence, drugs or even any drunk people. Just lots of families enjoying really good times and making memories. So in terms of safety, I felt so happy to let B wander around nearby as long as I could see him.
I let him go and order his own drinks and food. I’m teaching him about money and value at the moment so it helps him with his independence.
I was desperate to watch McFly, but sadly the kids were too tried to stay up, and with it being their first time camping we didn’t want to push it. Luckily it was loud enough for me to hear and have a boogie at the tent.
I think that having the best acts last is great, but every festival I have been to, usually the headliner starts around 9.30, I think would possibly be a bit better for those who’s kids just can’t power through.
Saturday was my favourite day, we went and spent the morning in the upper kids’ garden, which was where the Circus Skills were. So B went and did that with auntie R while I waited to see Joe Marler (England Rugby Legend) speak at the library with Rob Da Bank. I’m a big Harlequins fan so he was the person I was most excited about seeing! And what are the chances I bumped into him just before he went on eating a hotdog! So I got to get a cheeky selfie. What a lovely guy! Great choice to have him speak, main stage next time though! It was almost impossible for a short person like me to see anything, and the tent was too small.
We watched Mr Tumble and Dick and Dom on the Castle Stage, and then we had a break before seeing The Darkness so we went back to the tent for some chill out time.
We had fully planned our schedule on the Camp Bestival App which was super handy so we knew where we needed to be at what times. Of course I was still late for most of it!
After a bit of screen time, yes I bought the kids tablets, and a battery power bank, it was actually really good for helping them to wind down and go to sleep. We went back to the arena for The Darkness, who were incredible as always! I have seen them a few times and the always deliver.
We then watched Jake Shears from Scissor Sisters who was incredible. I actually think he was my favourite of the whole weekend.
Paloma Faith was on a bit late for us, and the kids were tired after going on the Ferris wheel so much. If you have kids who have ADHD you will get it! They hyperfocus and when they find something they like they go on it multiple times! Which made me thankful it was £4 a ride. Other festivals I have been to the big wheel is £10 a ride! So again brilliant value.
We loved the tokens from the camp kids’ bag so much, they are really worthwhile especially for the sweet treats. The queue for the candy floss was always larger later in the day so I recommend going early.
There wasn’t much shade in by the Castle Stage, I would recommend taking a beach umbrella or something to give you shade as Sunday was a scorcher! I did take B to the Diversity UK sensory tent which was brilliant. I was a bit frazzled by the sun and a bit overwhelmed with all the people. It was a great experience to just check on some noise cancelling headphones and chill out in the dark with some nice lighting and blankets. I could have stayed in there longer if B wasn’t so fidgety. Great little place for mums or dads to hide when they get overwhelmed. And plenty of places for others to sit outside if they don’t want to go in.
Sunday we saw Horrible Histories, a very weird show with a dog drummer after which I couldn’t work out if I hated or loved! And then we spent the rest of the afternoon just checking out all of the activities. Seriously there are so many free ones, you don’t need to spend money if you don’t want to. Also if you are bringing in trollies you can bring a packed lunch in with you too.
There are refillable water stations everywhere. And the queues were surprisingly short considering how hot it was.
Toilets, hmmmm compared to other festivals I was the least impressed with the toilets, the kids’ ones were really quite good. It was the adult ones that left a bit to be desired! Especially towards the end of the day.
Overall I give Camp Bestival a 9/10 it was brilliant. I loved it, the kids loved it.
And I will definitely be back next year.
Rating: 4.5/5
(Editor’s note: Initials used for guest and children’s names as with the Whatsgoodtodo.com Policy.)
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