Picture Credits: Hello Content.

Taking place in the midst of summer of chaos for summer  festivals, Rob Da Bank’s Camp Bestival continues to go from strength to strength. With over 50 (yes FIFTY!) summer events cancelled this year it’s great to see Camp Bestival thriving against the odds of a market facing battles with the economics running costs.

If you are looking to integrate your family into the festival scene, then this is the one for you. Returning to Weston Park for its third outing, Camp Bestival Shropshire delivered four days of incredible acts, entertainment and activities as festival goers came together and embraced a time travelling fancy dress theme.

The music line up, on paper anyway, might not have been viewed as strong as previous years, however in reality it delivered in abundance. Electric headline sets from Rick Astley, Paloma Faith, Faithless, Orbital Level 42, The Darkness, Jake Shears and McFly on the Main Stage were followed up in The Big Top with brilliant sets from the likes of Miles Hunt of The Wonder Stuff and Barry Ashworth’s energetic collective The Dub Pistols. Not to mention some of the more diverse acts such as The Dog Show, Mr Motivator and kids favourites Bluey and Mr Tumble.

But the music is only a fraction of what Camp Bestival is about. Classed as a “fest-holiday” it is something every family should experience. Although crammed in over a small area, for 4 days there is no let up in activities for the kids. From fairground activities, face painting, the worlds biggest bouncy castle and musical bingo to the enchanted discovery play in the woods, the weekend is a non stop family extravaganza. I only wish it could run during the weekdays of the school holidays! (maybe a suggestion there Mr and Mrs Bank?!)

Aside from the music, here’s our top 5 Highlights:

Price

As far as festival experiences go, Camp Bestival really doesn’t hit too hard on the pocket. You can get a pint for under a fiver and many food vendors signed up to the £6 kids meal initiative which was very refreshing to see. The paid activities are reasonable too, as a family 4 of us paid £12 to make a wicker basket (this was more fun that it sounds). The activity took an hour so was very much value for money. The fair ground rides were only £3 too and you can pick up festival t shirts from just £15. Loads of activities are free too such as soft play, circus skills, African drum workshops, lantern making, dance classes, skateboarding, bushcraft, parkour, wall-climbing and art classes. Loads of non-screen goodness!

Fancy Dress

This year, Weston Park was transformed into multiple different eras as families embraced the Time Travel theme for 2024 and hopped aboard their own time travel machine for a fancy-dress festival experience like no other. On Saturday afternoon, BBC Radio 2 DJ and presenter, Sara Cox led Saturday’s Fancy Dress Parade under the eyes of Love-Bot, with hundreds of families taking part in the time travel spectacle. From Vikings to The Beatles, families came out in full force to celebrate 2024’s Time Travel theme.

 

Taxi’s

This was a festival first for me. Upon parking we were greeted by a man in a golf buggy who offered us a lift, for a charitable donation. As a family without one of those handy trailer things, we promptly snapped the mans hand off. We were driven to a camping spot of our choice and from parking the car to our tenant being up and beer in hand, all in all it took about half an hour. When leaving the festival to go home, the buggy taxi’s were available again and we were able to get all of our belongings transported back to the car. Amazing! For those wondering, the buggy’s cost £7 per person, or £35 for the whole buggy to transport your gear. All the proceeds go to charity too.

Camp Bestival Navigators

An exclusive new addition for this year were the Camp Bestival Navigators, ready to guide all the younger explorers who attended the festival. The Navigators, based at the brand-new Navigation Town, directed children to all the wonderful things the festival has to offer, including circus skills, woodland activities and fashion design. Every child who attended the festival received their very own free Explorer’s Passport, another new addition for this year. Designed by festival co-founder Josie da Bank, the magical Explorer’s Passport was packed with beautiful illustrations, maps and information, with lots of space for kids to add their memories, stamps and stickers as they explore the festival. Guests were also able to take their passports to Josie’s Post Office – also situated in Navigation Town – to take part in extra special doodling workshops, stamping, stickering and more.

Slow Motion

Those looking for some family downtime enjoyed much needed time out in the Slow Motion wellness area on the banks of Park Pool within the immaculate grounds of Weston Park. From ice baths and meditation to yoga sessions and sleep retreats, plus much more guaranteed a weekend of wellness and recuperation in amongst the festival excitement. The peaceful lake took centre stage as families enjoyed wild swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and raft racing.

 

All in all, this was the best family festival we have attended and will be looking to take advantage of the early bird tickets for next year. These are on sale now and you can purchase them HERE