Camp Bestival 2025 Review
Camp Bestival 2025 was a dazzling celebration of music, family fun, and whimsical chaos—all set against the stunning backdrop of Lulworth Castle in Dorset. Here's a breakdown of what made this year’s festival such a hit, The festival ran from Thursday 31 July to Sunday 3 August 2025. It’s a four-day extravaganza packed with music, crafts, comedy, and even a world-record pyjama party on the Saturday.
🌟 Overall Vibe
Described as a “bubble-drenched kiddie Glastonbury,” Camp Bestival continues to reign as the UK’s premier family-friendly festival.
The atmosphere was playful, inclusive, and joyfully chaotic, with glitter, tutus, and banana-patterned shirts everywhere.
Camp Bestival 2025
🏕️ Camping & Accommodation
Options ranged from basic tent pitches to boutique glamping with amenities like showers, phone charging, and even hairdryers.
Families could also stay in nearby B&Bs or hotels, with easy transport links from Wareham and Wool stations.
👨👩👧👦 Family Activities
From CBeebies Bedtime Story Tent pyjama parties to circus skills workshops, the event catered to all ages.
Activities included:
Yoga, saunas, and ice baths
Crown and tiara making
Morris dancing and family darts
Climbing walls, skateboarding, and parkour
🎧Rob Da Bank and Joe Marla on The Castle Stage
Rob Da Bank and Josie Gibson on The Castle Stage
🌿 Wellbeing at Camp Bestival 2025
Wellbeing was one of the standout features this year, thanks to the launch of the Slomo Wellbeing Festival—a serene “festival within a festival” designed to bring calm, joy, and connection to families across the UK.
Here’s what made it special:
🧘 Slomo Wellbeing Festival Highlights
Yoga & Meditation: Daily sessions blending ancient practices with modern twists, including breathwork and mantra meditations under the stars.
Contrast Therapy: Nordic-inspired hot saunas and ice plunge pools offered a refreshing reset.
Sound Therapy: Gongs and sound baths created immersive relaxation experiences3.
Reset Retreats: A curated 2.5-hour journey featuring movement, sound healing, and pampering with adaptogenic teas and plant-based snacks.
Family-Friendly Wellness: Inclusive sessions for all ages, from cacao-fueled dance mornings to kid-friendly chill-out zones.
💬 What the Organizers Say
Rob da Bank, co-founder of Camp Bestival, emphasized that wellbeing has always been central to the festival’s ethos:
“We are both so passionate about wellbeing and would love to see the children of tomorrow starting early and having some fun with it”.
If you’re craving a festival experience that balances high-energy music with mindful moments, Camp Bestival’s Slomo zone might just be your new happy place. Want to explore what else happened at the festival this year? I’ve got the scoop.
🌈 If you’re into electric music, vibrant visuals, and a touch of South Asian flair, the Bollywood tent was the place to be. A colourful, immersive atmosphere that made it one of the standout zones of the festival
🎶 Music & Performances
🎤 Sir Tom Jones made a grand appearance at Camp Bestival 2025, headlining the Sunday night show at Lulworth Castle in Dorset. His performance was described as refined and reflective, closing out the four-day family-friendly festival with classics like Delilah and It’s Not Unusual.
Headliners: Sir Tom Jones closed the festival with a legendary set, fulfilling a long-held dream of the festival’s founders.
Other Highlights:
Sugababes delivered a nostalgic set of noughties hits.
The Lightning Seeds and The Zutons brought indie charm and retro soul.
Basement Jaxx, Annie Mac, and Dub Pistols kept the energy high.
Kids’ favorites like Blippi and Andy and the Odd Socks lit up the Castle Stage.
Miss Americana-Taylor Swift tribute act by Xenna
🎶Miss Americana-Taylor Swift tribute act by Xenna
🎤 Miss Americana – A Tribute to Taylor Swift by Xenna is a dazzling live show that brings the magic of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour to life. Featuring the talented performer Xenna, this tribute act captures Swift’s signature vocals, style, and stage presence with stunning accuracy.
🎶 Isabelle Mettle is a rising neo-soul artist, producer, and songwriter from North London whose sound blends jazz harmony, alternative R&B, and experimental textures. She’s known for her genre-fluid style and describes herself as “a producer and songwriter, who also happens to sing”.
🎧 DJ Annie Mac lit up Camp Bestival Dorset 2025 with one of her signature sets, fresh from her acclaimed Before Midnight sessions. She’ll be joining a vibrant line-up that includes legends like Sir Tom Jones, Sugababes, and Basement Jaxx, plus a host of other artists and family-friendly entertainment.
The Sugababes’ performance was a nostalgic highlight, proving they still know how to command a festival stage.
🎤 The Sugababes lit up Camp Bestival 2025 at Lulworth Castle with a headline performance that had fans reliving the glory days of early 2000s pop. Despite a brief power outage during their hit Push the Button—which added a touch of irony—they delivered a set packed with crowd-pleasers.
🎶 Basement Jaxx brought the house down at Camp Bestival 2025!
Their Saturday night headline set at Lulworth Castle was a high-energy, technicolour explosion that had thousands dancing into the night. Known for their carnival-style performances, they delivered a vibrant show packed with hits and dazzling visuals, closing out the Castle Stage in true party fashion.
Festival co-curator Rob da Bank called them “the best live dance act,” and their return to live shows made them a natural choice for this year’s lineup. Sharing the spotlight with fellow headliners Sugababes and Sir Tom Jones, Basement Jaxx helped make Camp Bestival’s 17th anniversary one to remember.
If you were there, I bet your feet are still recovering!
🎶Basement Jaxx performing on the castle stage
🎶 Camp Bestival 2025 was buzzing with nostalgia and indie charm thanks to standout performances from The Zutons and The Lightning Seeds!
The Zutons reunited after a decade apart and didn’t miss a beat. Their set was a soulful throwback, blending Motown vibes with retro Merseybeat. They even leaned into their Amy Winehouse connection, with saxophonist Abi Harding singing “Back to Black” alongside their classic hit “Valerie”.
The Lightning Seeds brought their signature bittersweet pop to the main stage, delivering crowd-pleasers like “Sugar Coated Iceberg,” “Lucky You,” and the timeless “Pure.” Their melodies were the perfect soundtrack for a sunny day at Lulworth Castle.
Camp Bestival continues to prove it’s not just for kids—it’s a multigenerational celebration where indie legends and glitter-covered toddlers share the same dance floor.
🎶The Lightning Seeds-Camp Bestival 2025
🎤 Remember Monday is a British country-pop girl group made up of Lauren Byrne, Holly-Anne Hull, and Charlotte Steele. They represented the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2025 with their cheeky, theatrical anthem “What the Hell Just Happened?”
🎤 Remember Monday is a British country-pop girl group.
🌟 Camp Bestival Dorset brought the magic of CBeebies back this summer with a
line-up that was pure joy for little ones and their grown-ups!
This is what we experienced at Lulworth Castle:
🎪 CBeebies Bedtime Story Tent: A cozy, story-filled oasis perfect for winding down after a day of festival fun. Hosted by CBeebies royalty George Webster, with appearances from Nigel Clarke and Mister Maker throughout the weekend.
📚 Guest Readers & Characters: Expect surprise story sessions from familiar faces like Justin Fletcher, and even musical legends like Sister Bliss from Faithless and Phil Hartnoll from Orbital.
🧸 Character Drop-ins: Beloved CBeebies stars including Bluey, Duggee, Supertato, and Bing will be popping in to delight the crowd.
🎉 CBeebies Bedtime Story Read and Rave: A high-energy event on the main stage blending storytelling with music and dancing—because bedtime doesn’t have to be boring.
It’s a perfect blend of imagination, music, and family-friendly fun. Planning to go? I can help you prep with packing tips or activity ideas for the kids.
🍔 Food & Market Stalls
A mix of retro, vintage, and modern stalls offered glittery fashion and tasty treats.
Self-catering was welcome, but food trucks provided plenty of tempting options.
🛍️ Camp Bestival 2025 was bursting with vintage charm! Among the many attractions at Lulworth Castle, the festival featured a delightful array of vintage, retro, and modern market stalls. These stalls offered everything from glitter skirts and funky glasses to other quirky fashion finds that helped festivalgoers glam up their weekend looks.
🌌 Camp Bestival truly transforms after dark into a magical wonderland! From glowing fairgrounds and twinkling lights to dazzling performances and late-night grooves, the festival’s night-time vibe is something special. Here are some images that capture the enchantment:
📝 Final Thoughts
Camp Bestival 2025 proved once again that it’s not just a music festival—it’s a full-blown family adventure. Whether you’re chasing toddlers through a craft playground or dancing to mariachi Nirvana covers, it’s a place where generations bond and memories are made.
Want help planning your own trip there next year—or maybe crafting a review of your own experience? I’d love to help.
If you’re thinking of going next year, early bird tickets for Camp Bestival 2026 go on sale August 8th
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🎤 Event Coverage Highlights
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