Camp Bestival best bits - kid's-eye-view
- Jul 31, 2012
Music festivals are largely about the line-up and the common bond that the audience have with each other as a result of living on top of one another in a relatively confined space - plus the bonhomie that's created as a result (or not, I have had a grim time at some festivals I can tell you!)
But Camp Bestival is different. From the very moment I arrived with my family (my eight and 10-year-old daughters and my sometimes too cool for school "muso" husband ) it struck me that Camp Bestival is defined by the creators of it, Josie and Rob Da Bank, who have made something beautiful, with magic touches everywhere you look and something for everyone to interact with.
From the first (sunburnt) faces of the security guys on the gate, the box office lady, every steward, every vendor, to every brand and charity representative, each and every one of them was welcoming, warm and witty whatever the time of day. It was like Josie and Rob themselves had personally interviewed every individual over a cup of tea to make sure that they were worthy of working at their festival that they have worked so hard to create.
This is a place to go with friends, and family and feel safe in the knowledge that you are going to ALL have a brilliant time.
Below is a list of the best bits of Camp Bestival from my girls’ point of view – but don’t take their word for it, experience it yourself.
Glitter!
We all - yes even Daddy, which we were completely embarrassed about - had our faces painted and glittered up.
Clothes stalls
There were stalls full of amazing things that you probably can’t buy anywhere else. We bought beautiful acrylic orange star and red heart necklaces and frizzy bright layered fairy skirts that we wore for the whole festival.
The Olympic Opening Ceremony
It was awesome watching the opening ceremony in a huge tent with a massive screen alongside people from all over the UK cheering on different bits.
Knitting
There was a whole tent dedicated to finger knitting - and we both love knitting! They had a wide range of coloured wool to choose from and a man taught us how to knit with our fingers. We found it easy and really good fun – there were loads of people finger knitting. There was a wooden sheep that needed a coat so everyone stuck their knitting to it.
Yurtel
We stayed in a yurt which was lovely! It was comfortable and peaceful and the girl, Kara, who worked there even braided our hair.
Mornings at Camp Bestival
The mornings were especially great – it was the perfect time to go and explore the festival before it got really busy. We did so much in the mornings: cake decorating, knitting, mucky dip...and shopping!
Pimp your trolley
People could hire trolleys to pull their little children in and there was a place where you would “pimp” it up – decorate it with everything and anything: lights, flags, flowers, butterflies, cushions – anything! They looked so cool.
Daniel Roche
There was an English Literary Tent where there were people reading poetry, being interviewed and loads more – we saw a Q&A with Daniel Roche who plays Just William and was in Outnumbered. It was great and really interesting. I can’t believe he is only 12!
Food
The food was great! We ate paella, pulled pork burritos, roasted corn on the cob. But our favourite was churros with hot chocolate sauce.
Music
There was great music wherever you went, from Shrek the Musical and an operatic version of Fantastic Mr Fox to Earth Wind and Fire and Nile Rogers with Chic. Adam Ant was there, as was the legend Jimmy Cliff. We saw and heard some of the best. A favourite moment for Mummy was Greg Wilson DJ’ing while we were queuing for food at Wagamama…that took her back, apparently!
Magic and bubbles
Bubbles bring magic and there were loads of both every day at Camp Bestival.
Thank you for having and entertaining us. We LOVED it!
By Saskia, Lillie and Maisy Dornan
