These were the heroes and superheroes of Camp Bestival 2019

Festivals come and go but Camp Bestival has stood the test of time. After a rocky 2018 with Sunday being cancelled due to unforeseen weather conditions. 2019 saw Camp Bestival concentrate on what it’s good at, appealing to and catering for all ages from the youngest of the young to grandparents with their charges and parents taking a well earned break from the stresses of daily family life. Everything at Camp Bestival is designed to make your stay fun and exciting and is guaranteed to make sure that you go home with the best memories from the weekend.

Set overlooking the Dorset coast with a backdrop of the Disneyesque view that is Lulworth castle. Camp Bestival has to be at the top of the pile for one of the most scenic settings for a music festival. Access to the site is remarkably easy with limited queues. Being so family friendly it is obvious that the staff are incredibly helpful and supportive particularly when there are families carting everything bar the kitchen sink to their new home for the 3 to 4 days of the festival weekend.

Organisers Rob and Josie da bank do an incredible job in making Camp Bestival fresh and new each year. This year, Heroes and Superheroes was the theme and everywhere you looked one couldn’t help but notice how many there where. It is extraordinary how so many with busy lives find the time to concoct such wonderful home made outfits with their take on a Hero.

Of course just planning a trip to a festival can take superhuman powers when you have a whole family to consider, but everyone at Camp Bestival seem very mindful of peoples needs and are terrifically helpful.

The new field this year was ‘Wild Tribe’. Experiencing how to safely start and tend a fire to drumming workshops, foraging skills or just hanging out with your tribe. This was a great place to get back to nature without modern technology.

Also new was the ‘Sleep Retreat’. With yogi and meditation experts on hand this wellness retreat was designed to help you learn to relax, unwind and sleep.

Of course there is Comedy with this years headliner Omid Djalili. Talks by people such as Manchester’s own Greg Wilson the first dance DJ to take over the reins at the Hacienda. Yoga and Tai Chi, Beard and Moustache competition,  Fancy Dress, Skateboard Lessons, The Insect Circus, Superhero walkabout, Theatre, Trapeze Workshop and a ton of other things that even the best activity parks would struggle to offer.

Music was diverse and eclectic as ever. The Big Top saw what was known as ‘Earache Takeover’ for those that missed their ‘thrash metal’ youth, with the likes of Napalm Death, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Diamond Head, Lawnmower Death and Nosebleed take to the stage.

At the other end of the musical spectrum, the world’s greatest party starters the Vengaboys headed over from Ibiza to get the party started.

Headliners this year included The Human League and Jess Glynne on Friday. Black Grape, Lewis Capaldi, Nile Rodgers and Chic on Saturday. With Sunday being overseen by special guests, Bombay Bicycle Club, Morcheeba, Sister Sledge and Annie Mac. As always Camp Bestival ended with the Castle Fireworks and spectacle not to be missed.

 

If you have a family and want to experience one of the best events of the summer, I urge you to book early for Camp Bestival 2020. You definitely won’t be disappointed.

Camp Bestival takes place at Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Dorset

https://www.campbestival.net/