After much anticipation (and a bit of overpacking), we set off for Camp Bestival 2025 — the two of us, our daughter, and her two 16-year-old friends. It was our first family festival of this scale, and it delivered a magical, music-filled weekend we won’t forget.
That First Uphill Walk (and a Little Hack)
Let’s start with the walk in. It’s a solid 15-minute trek from the car park to the general campsite — mostly uphill, and fully loaded with tents, bags, and the usual “just in case” extras. We did it the old-fashioned way, but if we go again, we’ll definitely opt for the buggies (£35) available near the car park. They’re a brilliant idea if you’ve got a lot of gear or little ones — and would’ve saved a few sweaty breakdowns en route.
Camping: Surprisingly Easy
We landed a pitch close to the main site, which made everything more manageable. Right nearby was a coffee and breakfast stall doing proper barista coffee, croissants, breakfast wraps and baps, and cereal bars — perfect for bleary-eyed mornings. Toilets were mercifully nearby too, and better than expected! regularly serviced, and never too far away
We did use the Camp Bestival app, it’s genuinely helpful for set times, maps, and real-time updates. A great one to download ahead of time.
One thing we really wish we’d known about before the weekend was Camp Rewards. It’s a point-based system where you earn credits by scanning QR codes on site (or spending through the app) — and you can redeem them for things like paid rides, merch, and more. With three teenagers in tow, festival spending adds up fast — so this would’ve been a great little buffer if we’d clocked it earlier!
Teens Took the Lead
Both teens and adults were in their element — the teens adopted Bollywood as their homebase and made the main stage their second home. With acts like Basement Jaxx, Zutons and AnnieMac, David Rodigan, Ed Solo and Kaya Fyah to name a few! there was always something big to dance to. It felt like the perfect intro to festivals for them — big enough to feel exciting, but safe, friendly, and easy to navigate Mum and Dad also loved the generational music interactions much to the teens dismay!
Mum’s Mini Retreat
While the kids explored and danced, I found a slower rhythm in the Slomo Wellbeing area, which was honestly one of the weekend’s highlights. A spontaneous massage, a spot of shamanic healing, and a couple of beautifully calming meditation classes left me feeling more grounded than I’d felt in weeks. I would recommend investing in a vodaphone sim for the wknd for messaging the teens! although switching off from the tech was also quite blissful.
Caravanserai: Don’t Miss It
A personal favourite was Caravanserai — a magical mash-up of upcycled caravans, circus tents, live bands, secret bars, and late-night grooves. It’s one of those places you wander into after dinner and end up staying in for hours. It had that dreamy, escapist atmosphere some great music which makes a festival feel truly special — glittering lights, roving performers, and enough character for its own postcode.
The Food? Genuinely Great
We ate well all weekend — really well. Some highlights:
Vietnamese noodles – light, fresh, full of flavour
Jerk chicken – smoky and tender with proper heat
Sourdough pizza – crisp, cheesy, satisfying
Loaded fries – a firm favourite with the teens
Teriyaki rice bowls – colourful, filling, and a huge hit with the teenagers
Duck rolls – gone in a flash
Strawberry’s and fresh fruit bowls
Our one food regret? Anna Mae’s mac and cheese. We had every intention of trying it, but the queue was huge every time we passed. That’s top of our list for next year.
By Sunday night, we were dusty, slightly sunburnt, and completely content. The uphill trudge back to the car was a breeze as we pre-packed prior to leaving, A great family weekend with fun times and memories made.
Camp Bestival 2025 gave us everything we were hoping for — music, freedom, laughter, connection — and just enough chaos to call it a proper festival. Whether you’re going with little ones or launching your teens into their first big weekend, this is the kind of staycation you’ll still be talking about long after the tents are packed away