Festival Review: Camp Bestival, Shropshire
Camp Bestival is leading the way on creating a perfect first festival experience for children, and parents alike. The festival has curated an atmosphere which is truly a kids wonderland and looking through a 5 years old eyes I would’ve been in total paradise if it was me with all the options that were available to explore.
I had the delight of visiting & camping no less, at Camp Bestival with my partner in tow. After the HIIT session that was creating our home for the weekend, we were free to explore the wide array of entertainment, incredible food & activities on offer. We let our inner child go wild for the duration, but ultimately this is a trip that is designed with families in mind and for those groups of people we would highly recommend.
City Girl Rating: ★★★
Location: Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Shropshire
Camping Options: General, Camping Plus, Boutique, Backstage & Campervans
Average Price: Starting from £160 + booking fee for Adult Weekend Pass (Early bird) & £67.50 for children + booking fee (dependent on age)
Bonus points: More than 100 free activities spread across land & water, a wealth of choice for food on offer to suit all dietary requirements, great line up of artists & the impossibility for your kids to be bored for even one moment
Perfect for: Families introducing their children to their first festival experience
The Location
Camp Bestival has two locations - Dorset & Shropshire. Our experience was based at Shropshire - Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard, Nr Shifnal, Shropshire. Travel info was provided very clearly via the website and on arrival signage & directions were super clear. We were located in the General Camping area which was a ‘downhill’ (thank the lord!) walk from the Yellow Area Car Parking we had been allocated. I must admit, it was not short jaunt down to the camping area especially with our camping gear so we were appreciative when a mirage of the Charity Concierge appeared in our time of need offering lifts for a donation to child.org (work championing maternal and child health in Kenya). Our driver noted this was the most fun she could have a 5MPH - we couldn’t agree more (for her and for our feet!).
Our camping area had everything that you needed at your disposal - Toilets (classic long-drop festival facilities) but with the added bonus that they always had toilet paper (…if you’ve been to many festivals, you will know how miraculous this is), clean water facilities, waste disposal, recycling facilities & shower cubicles. The wait wasn’t even too bad for the showers in the morning despite the long queues.
The festival site was a mere 5 minute walk from our camping area so fantastic for those with little legs who tire easily and you are welcomed into the site with an pleasant assault on all senses with bright colours, aromas of delicious food & vibrant music.
Safety & Accessibility
Honestly, the safety & accessibility of this festival can be summed up in one sentence: I have never felt safer. Even before, you step foot onto the festival - there is a wealth of information on the website that you can browse through so you know what is available.
Accessibility is definitely top of the agenda for Camp Bestival and I was pleased to find out than on top of the standard access requirements for mobility - platform viewing areas etc, other access requirements were taken into consideration with multiple sensory rest areas available.
The accessible toilets even were coded to ensure that those that really required them had access to a toilet at all times. These types of considerations can really help those with those specific needs feel comfortable and at ease at a festival - potentially a situation that they may feel they would never be able to access without anxiety or discomfort.
I was also really comforted by the amount of information and advice available for safety at the festival. First aid & welfare tents were well placed in the middle of the festival but they also documented that they followed the ‘Ask for Angela’ safety initiative which is an immediate tick for a women in a festival atmosphere.
The Experience
Our experience was one of joy being surrounded by such energy, colour & fab entertainment - but ultimately, this is one that is tailored for families at the heart of it.
We were taken aback at the amount of activities (free & paid) that were on offer from beekeeping talks to the wall of death. We definitely weren’t bored bouncing from activity to activity in-between gouging ourselves on the delicious food on offer and having a little boogie with Mr Tumble. I still have the Piano Man stuck in my head over a week later, impressive work.
Music wise - there really was something for everyone - big highlight for me was Caity Baiser - with Lily Allen esque’ lyrics and a brilliant bouncy stage presence she really is one to watch as well as Sam Ryder who confidently manages the audience with ease. I desperately need to know his hair routine on a side note!
Limitless options for food with so many options including your expected pizzas, burgers etc as well as paella, jerk chicken etc. We saw many families feasting from 4 separate food pop ups at the same time so there would be no arguments there.
This is a treat for a weekend retreat away from the hustle & bustle of a main city to take yourself back to nature, try out a new activity - potentially one you would never of given a second thought, enter basket weaving! and create lovely memories with your family for years to come.
Four highly recommended activities if you are coming to Camp Bestival, Shropshire
Ken Fox’s Wall of Death - the loudest, most exciting 10 minutes of the festival experience
Check out the music on offer including artists such as Sara Cox Presents Just Can't Get Enough 80's to get involved in the festival’s longest conga line
Get involved in the food scene including the newly introduced Feast Collective Farmers Market
Throw yourself into some activities like axe throwing, roller disco & a classic silent disco
Book your earlybird ticket for Camp Bestival next year – over on the Camp Bestival Website
Reviewed by Steph Clarke
Disclaimer: I was gifted my stay in exchange for an honest review. All photos were taken by me.