Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at Corfe Castle | Curious Creatures Review

 

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Curious Creatures at Corfe Castle: Music in a Magical Setting

On Sunday, we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Corfe Castle for the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Curious Creatures and the Natural World. With the historic castle ruins towering above us and the beautiful Purbeck countryside all around, it was hard to imagine a more perfect setting for an outdoor concert.

Designed with families in mind, the event was relaxed, welcoming and a brilliant way to experience live orchestral music.

Music everyone could enjoy

One of the things we loved most was how much of the music was familiar. The programme featured plenty of recognisable pieces, which meant both adults and children could enjoy spotting tunes they already knew. Hearing these well-loved melodies performed live by such a talented orchestra made them feel even more special.

The wildlife theme tied the performance together, with each musical piece celebrating different creatures and the natural world, but the real highlight was simply listening to the orchestra perform in such a unique setting.

A relaxed family atmosphere

Unlike a traditional concert hall, everyone was encouraged to enjoy the performance in their own way. Families spread out picnic blankets on the grass, children could move around if they wanted to, and there was a lovely atmosphere throughout the afternoon.

It was the perfect introduction to orchestral music for younger audiences, showing that classical music can be fun, accessible and entertaining for everyone.

Our verdict

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's Curious Creatures was a fantastic family event. The combination of familiar music, a relaxed atmosphere and the breathtaking surroundings of Corfe Castle made for a memorable afternoon that everyone could enjoy.

If you're looking for something a little different to do with the family in Dorset, we'd definitely recommend keeping an eye out for future Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra events. Music always sounds amazing, but hearing it performed live beneath the ruins of Corfe Castle is an experience that's hard to beat.

25 Free and Cheap Things to Do with Kids in Dorset This Summer (2026 Guide)

Keeping the kids entertained throughout the summer holidays doesn't have to cost a fortune. Some of our favourite family adventures in Dorset are completely free, while others cost little more than an ice cream or bus fare.

From fossil hunting and beach days to woodland walks and hidden historical gems, here are 25 of our favourite free and budget-friendly things to do with kids in Dorset this summer.

1. Fossil Hunting in Charmouth

The Jurassic Coast is one of Dorset's greatest treasures and Charmouth is one of the best places to search for fossils. Bring a bucket and see what prehistoric treasures you can find along the beach. 

2. Spend a Day at Knoll Beach, Studland

With soft sand, shallow water and plenty of space to play, Knoll is one of our favourite beaches for a family day out.  Free parking if you have a National Trust membership but I'd recommend getting there early as it gets busy. Look out for the ice cream boat in the Summer!

Even cloudy days are fun at the beach

3. Explore Upton Country Park

With beautiful gardens, woodland walks, a children's play area and lots of open space, Upton Country Park is perfect for a low-cost day outdoors. The fountains in the Walled Garden are fab on a hot day!

4. Go Rock Pooling at Kimmeridge Bay

Armed with a net and a bucket, kids can spend hours discovering crabs, fish and other marine creatures hidden among the rocks. The carpark is privately owned costs £6 per car. 

5. Walk to Old Harry Rocks

This classic Dorset walk rewards you with some of the most spectacular coastal views in the county. Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness, it's a lovely amble up to the top.  Finish up with a nice cold drink in the Bankes Arms and enjoy the view. 

6. Enjoy a Picnic in Poole Park

Pack a lunch, feed the ducks and let the children burn off some energy in one of Dorset's most popular parks. There are two play areas - the smaller one by the Ark is best for young children, whilst the larger one at the other end is great for older kids. 

7. Cycle Around Holes Bay

If you're looking for an easy family bike ride, the route around Holes Bay is a great choice. The relatively flat cycle paths make it suitable for children, while the views across the water and chances to spot wildlife keep things interesting. It's a great way to get some fresh air, burn off energy and enjoy a different view of Poole Harbour without spending a penny.

8. Experience Wareham Wednesdays

If you're visiting Dorset during the summer holidays, don't miss the famous Wareham Wednesdays. One of the highlights is the pirate invasion, when swashbuckling pirates arrive in town by boat and have a huge waterfight with the locals on the riverside.  There are family activities, entertainment, live music and plenty of opportunities for children to join in the fun. Best of all, many of the events are free, making it a fantastic budget-friendly evening out for families. Bring your water pistols! 

9. Explore Moors Valley Country Park

With beautiful forest walks, cycle routes and plenty of places to stop for a picnic, it's easy to spend a whole day at Moors Valley without spending a fortune. This Summer, Families can enjoy the magical Room on the Broom trail, where children can follow the story through the woods and search for familiar characters along the way. There's also a brilliant play trail packed with climbing equipment, balancing challenges and woodland adventures that can keep kids entertained for hours. Free entry but there is a charge for the carpark. 

You might even bump into The Gruffalo at Moors Valley Country Park

10. Visit Durlston Country Park

Dramatic clifftop views, wildlife spotting and family-friendly walking trails make Durlston a great day out.

11. Treat Yourself to Chips in Swanage

After a walk around Durlston Country Park, head down into Swanage for a well-earned portion of chips by the seafront. Find a bench, take in the sea views, and enjoy a simple but perfect family moment watching the boats and beach life drift by. 

12. Step Back in Time at Tyneham Village

Tyneham is one of Dorset’s most fascinating places to explore — a deserted village frozen in time since World War II. Families can wander through the old school, church and cottages while learning a little piece of local history along the way. If you’re up for a walk, you can continue down the valley to Warbarrow Bay, a stunning hidden beach that feels wild, remote and completely untouched. It’s a bit of a trek, but well worth it for the views and sense of adventure.

13. Visit Pamphill Dairy Farm Shop

Pamphill is a lovely little stop for families, especially if you’re exploring the wider Wimborne area. Alongside the farm shop, there’s a brilliant new play area where children can let off steam while you enjoy a slower pace for a moment. And no visit is complete without one of their amazing ice creams — the perfect treat after a countryside walk. 

The ice cream flavours change regularly so you never know what you're going to find here!

14. Watch the Sunset at Sandbanks

Sandbanks is a great spot to finish the day, especially in the evening when it’s quieter. Head down to the harbour and you’ll get clear views across the water as the sun goes down. It’s an easy, low-cost way to end a day out, and a good chance to slow things down before heading home. 

15. Catch the Open-Top Bus to the Beach

The journey is part of the fun and children love sitting upstairs enjoying the views. You can the catch the Harbour Breezer 60 from Poole Bus Station and this will drop you off by Sandbanks Beach. 

16. Wander Around Kingston Maurward Animal Park & Gardens

These beautiful gardens offer lakes, wildlife and plenty of space for children to explore. You can see a variety of farm animals up close, including goats, pigs and donkeys. Free entry but there is a £5 carpark charge

17. Walled Garden Moreton and a River Paddle

Moreton is a great combination stop for families, starting with a wander around the walled garden and its peaceful surroundings. Entrance is only £4 for adults and under 18's go free. After exploring the garden, head down to the nearby river where there are shallow spots that are perfect for paddling on a warm day. It’s an easy, low-cost outing and perfect for cooling off on those long hot Summer days. Tip - pack water shoes as it's a bit stony in the river.

18. Visit Poole Museum

Poole Museum is a great free indoor option for families, especially if you need a break from the weather or a change of pace from outdoor activities. It’s small enough to explore without it feeling overwhelming for children, with exhibits that help bring the history of Poole’s maritime past to life. A simple, easy stop that works well as part of a budget-friendly day out in the town. If your budget allows, I'd recommend heading across the street to Truly Scrumptious where you can find all kinds of sweets and treats. 

19. Go Crabbing at Lake Pier

One of our favourite Summer holiday activities when on a budget! A bucket, a line and some bait are all you need for hours of entertainment. The views from Lake Pier are fantastic - and look out for the low flying Chinook helicopters coming and going from the nearby Military base. 

20. Spend the Day at Hamworthy Park and Beach

With a playground, toddler friendly paddling pool, beach, green space and stunning harbour views, Hamworthy Park is a brilliant budget-friendly day out. There is free parking in nearby roads but these do get busy so would advise coming early. 

21. Explore Tout Quarry Sculpture Park

Combining art, history and outdoor adventure, this hidden gem on Portland is well worth a visit. 

22. Walk the Sika Trail in Wareham Forest

A family-friendly woodland trail with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife along the way. Great for bike rides, dog walks or just getting out in the fresh air. 

23. Take the Jurassic Breezer Bus to Durdle Door

The Jurassic Breezer bus (30)  is a great budget-friendly way to reach Durdle Door without the stress of parking. The journey itself is part of the experience, with some brilliant views along the way including the majestic ruins of Corfe Castle. It’s an easy option for families and means you can enjoy one of Dorset’s most iconic landmarks while keeping things simple and relaxed. Return tickets are £6 from Swanage.

24. Discover Maiden Castle

Maiden Castle is one of the largest Iron Age hill forts in Europe and a great place for families who enjoy a bit of space to explore. The vast grassy ramparts are perfect for walking, running and letting kids use their imagination while taking in the views across the surrounding countryside. It’s a simple, free day out that also gives a small glimpse into Dorset’s ancient history.

25. Walk Shutes Lane

Shutes Lane, often linked with the nearby Hell Lane, is a quiet countryside walk with a slightly eerie twist thanks to the carved “faces” you can spot along parts of the route. The tall hedgerows and narrow path give it a tunnel-like feel, while the details in the banks make it interesting for children to look out for as they go. If you're feeling energetic, why not head up nearby Colmers Hill afterwards - one of the Dorset's most photographed spots. 

Climbing Comers Hill

Final Thoughts

One of the things I love most about Dorset is that some of the best family days out cost very little. Whether you're hunting for fossils, exploring ancient villages, paddling in rivers or simply watching the sunset over the beach, there are endless ways to make memories without breaking the budget.

I'd love to know which Dorset adventure your family enjoys most. Let me know in the comments if there's a favourite free or budget-friendly day out that deserves a place on this list.

Teddy Rocks Festival: Music, Family Fun and a Cause That Matters

 

Teddy Rocks Festival Review: Our Family Weekend

Looking for a family-friendly festival in Dorset that’s packed with music, fun, and charity at its heart? Teddy Rocks Festival delivers all of that and more, creating a weekend experience you won’t forget.

How Teddy Rocks Began — From Pub Gig to Powerful Charity Festival

Teddy Rocks Festival didn’t start as a big festival — it began as a tiny music night with a huge purpose. In 2011, founder Tom Newton and his family organised a small gig at The Greyhound pub in Blandford, Dorset to raise money for Teddy20, a children’s cancer charity they had started after losing Tom’s younger brother, Ted, to a rare bone cancer.

That first gig raised just £400, but it planted a seed. By 2012, the first official Teddy Rocks event at the Corn Exchange raised £2,500, and over the next few years, the festival continued to grow — moving back to The Greyhound in 2013 and increasing funds raised each year. By 2016, the event had moved to a bigger outdoor site and brought in over £40,000.

From there, things really took off. The festival found its current home at Charisworth Farm in Blandford Forum by 2018, offering camping, multiple stages and a broader music lineup — and raising record charity totals each year. Over more than a decade, Teddy Rocks has now raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for Teddy20 and partner children’s cancer charities, becoming a multi-award-winning festival with a deeply meaningful purpose.

A Festival With Heart (and a Purpose)

What makes Teddy Rocks truly special isn’t just the music — it’s the why behind it all. The festival raises money for children’s cancer charities, supporting young patients and their families through treatment, care, and research. Every ticket sold, every raffle entry, and every donation goes directly to helping children facing serious illnesses, making each weekend not just fun, but meaningful.

We attended last year and were completely blown away. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and inclusive — families are genuinely embraced, and kids are free to dance, sing, and explore without feeling out of place. You can feel the charitable mission in every corner, from volunteers sharing stories to the festival community coming together in support.

Music for All Ages

Teddy Rocks strikes the perfect balance between adult enjoyment and family fun. The live music lineup keeps grown-ups entertained, while daytime activities, safe family zones, and engaging stalls make it easy to bring children along.

Friday night was Pop Party night and we danced along to Bewitched on the main stage which was a proper blast from the past....and I couldn't believe how many song lyrics were still usefully stored in my brain! Our Friday highlight was Barrioke on the Jan Boyd stage - something that had to be seen to be believed. Shaun Williamson, aka Barry off Eastenders in a shiny red jacket, belting out karaoke classics with the audience! Elliot decided he want to get involved so he got up there and belted out a pretty decent rendition of Livin' on a Prayer. He had the entire crowd cheering him on and he came off stage grinning from ear to ear! 

Our must-see for Saturday was Metallica Reloaded on the Ted Newton (main stage) - Elliot has been getting really into their music this year so it was great experience the songs live, especially the epic Master of Puppets. One act that totally took us by surprise was Slay Duggee - had no idea what to expect but their set was probably the highlight of the entire weekend! I've never heard kids songs like Baby Shark sung in the style of hardcore metal, by men dressed as dogs before, and even typing that sounds bonkers but it was brilliantly bonkers. The confetti and pyrotechnics were fun too, although the water cannon took us by surprise and I wasn't expecting to get so wet!! 

Sunday afternoon had a fantastic line up of acts such as Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters and Pink tributes who were all excellent but the main draw for us was Hybrid Theory, one of the best Linkin Park tributes around. They put on a fantastic show and we really felt like we were seeing the actual Linkin Park - it was really special to experience with Elliot. I first saw Linkin Park back in 2008 and I love that he's into the same bands I grew up listening to. 

Family-Friendly, Without Feeling Tame

One of the best parts about Teddy Rocks is how truly family-friendly it is — without losing the authenticity of a proper festival. The layout is easy to navigate, the atmosphere feels safe, and the sense of community is strong. I was happy for the kids to wander off on their own while we were sat enjoying the music and it felt very safe. We bumped into lots of friends too which is the beauty of it being a local festival. 

Would We Go Again?

Absolutely — without hesitation. Teddy Rocks is more than a festival; it’s an experience, a community, and a reminder that music, family fun, and charity can go hand in hand. 

If you’re looking for a festival that works for families, supports a fantastic cause, and leaves you feeling uplifted rather than frazzled, Teddy Rocks should be on your list. 

Tickets can be found here

Have you been to Teddy Rocks, or is it on your festival wish list? Trust us — it’s one you won’t want to miss.

Things to Do in Dorset for Families During the School Holidays

 Looking for fun things to do in Dorset during the school holidays? You’re in luck! From beautiful beaches and wild country parks to charming villages and historic sites, there’s something for every family in Dorset — whether you want to keep the kids busy, make memories together, or simply appreciate the magic of your home county. 

🍦 Spend Time at Our Amazing Beaches 🍦

Did you know Bournemouth Beach and Weymouth Beach made it into Tripadvisor’s Best Beaches in Europe for 2025? (Yes — we’re up there with the world’s finest!)

✅ Bournemouth Beach — Miles of sand, traditional amusements, ice cream stands — perfect for children and families!
✅ Weymouth Beach — Shallow waters, sheltered sand, and plenty of space for games. More of a traditional seaside town
✅ Studland Bay— Much quieter than it's Bournemouth and Poole neighbours - great for a more restful family day by the sea. We particularly love Knoll Beach. Look out for the ice cream boat! 

Knoll Beach, Studland

🍉 Outdoor Adventures  🍉

Looking for something more energetic?
✅ Dorset Adventure Park (Corfe Castle) — Water slides, an assault course, and lakes to splash in — a wild day for children and adults alike!
✅  The Alpine Adventure Park at Snowtrax offers swings, trampolines, super slippy slides, and much more including a pirate ship situated on it's own island— perfect for children who love a bit of a challenge.

🦉 Get Closer to Nature 🦉

✅ Brownsea Island — Take a short ferry ride from Poole Quay and discover peacocks, red squirrels, secluded beaches, and rich wildlife — a magical adventure for children!
✅ Blue Pool — Wander through this tranquil spot near Wareham, where a dramatic pool glows blue and green, surrounded by heathland and forests — a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with nature. Look out for their special events throughout the year, we love visiting at Halloween! 
✅ RSPB Arne Nature Reserve — Amazing trails, rich birdlife, deer, and beautiful views — a perfect spot for a family wildlife adventure in Dorset. 

Blue Pool

🍃 Enjoy Our Country Parks 🍃

✅ Moors Valley Country Park and Forest — Amazing trails, a miniature railway, high-ropes course, playgrounds, a lake, and it's very own Gruffalo  — perfect for children of all ages!
✅ Avon Heath Country Park — Miles of walking trails, wildlife spotting, a children’s play area, and plenty of space for a picnic with the whole family.
✅ Upton Country Park — Stroll through beautiful gardens, explore the woodlands, let the children burn off energy at the large playground, or enjoy a cream tea in the well stocked cafe afterwards

The Gruffalo at Moors Valley Country Park

 🐷Fun for the Whole Family 🐷

✅ Farmer Palmers Farm Park — Petting sessions, bouncing castles, a dinosaur trail, ride-on toys, and much more — a classic Dorset family day out during the school holidays! (Plus the cakes in the Hen House cafe are 10/10!)
✅ Monkey World — Home to over 250 rescued primates — a wonderful blend of education and entertainment for children of all ages.

Meeting a new friend at Farmer Palmers

🦕 5. Dig Into History — And Some Fossil Fun! 🦕

✅ Lyme Regis  — The Jurassic Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site — grab a fossil hammer, go fossil hunting with your children, and uncover ancient creatures!
✅ Charmouth Beach and  Heritage Coast Centre — Learn alongside your children about dinosaurs, ancient creatures, and their stories — and then go and explore the rock pools where you might find your very own ammonite to take home

Fossil Hunting on the Jurassic Coast

🎪 Local Festivals 🎪

Dorset really knows how to throw a family-friendly festival — and summer is bursting with music, magic, and muddy knees (the fun kind). Here's what not to miss during the school holidays in Dorset:

✅ Poole Harbour Festival (25–27 July) — Amazing food trucks, live bands, children’s entertainment, and a chilled holiday-like atmosphere — a perfect Dorset festival for families!
✅ Camp Bestival (31 July - 3 Aug) - The ultimate family festival! Think glittery wellies, circus tents, Mr Tumble, fireworks, fancy dress parades, big-name bands, and a dedicated kids’ field full of crafts, theatre shows, and activities. This one’s family festival royalty — a proper bucket-list experience!
✅ DorsetFest (27–28 June) – A charming folk festival in the countryside with live music, craft stalls, children’s games, storytelling, and plenty of space to run wild.

Camp Bestival - Dorset's biggest festival

Whether you're a local looking to rediscover your favourite spots or planning brand new adventures with the kids, Dorset is packed with unforgettable experiences this summer. From beach days and castle explorations to nature trails, festivals, and fossil hunts, there’s something to excite every kind of family. So pack the buckets and spades and get ready for a Summer full of fresh air, fun and memories that’ll last long after the school holidays end.

CAMP BESTIVAL DORSET 2024 REVIEW - DAY VISITOR!

Camp Bestival, held annually in the picturesque grounds of Lulworth Castle in Dorset, is a celebration of music, arts, and family fun that stands out as one of the best family-friendly festivals in the UK. This vibrant event, curated by DJ Rob da Bank and his wife Josie, offers an enchanting blend of entertainment that caters to all ages, making it a must-visit for families seeking a magical festival experience.

If camping is your thing then you pitch up with the family, you can bring motorhomes and campers, you can even splash out and do Hospitality Camping...which I'm told is the most exclusive festival experience. 

If you prefer to sleep in your own bed, then there is a great option to purchase a day ticket. We live locally to the festival so for us, this is perfect as we can drive in and spend the day, then be tucked up in our own beds within half an hour! 

The festival opens on Thursday to campers but the main days are Friday - Sunday. We had weekend tickets but chose not to camp, we actually drove in from Poole on the Friday and Saturday. Both days were very different, so read on to find out what our family of 4 got up to...

Day 1 - Friday

Due to work and childcare commitments, we weren't able to start our festival experience until late Friday afternoon but as soon as we drove in and saw the sea of tents and the colourful big top in the distance, we were eager to explore!

We were directed to the YELLOW car park and it took around 15-20 minutes to walk to the entrance. (We did arrive late though so our car was definitely one of the last in and the parked at the furthest point!). This isn't our first time at Camp Bestival but our last visit was in 2021 and it was interesting to spot the small changes. 

Making our way in to the Magic Meadow area, my husband was happy to see Caravanserai - this is one of his favourite parts of CB and is a great place for people watching! Made up of old caravans and vintage fairground bits and bobs, Caravanserai feels a bit like something you'd find in an apocalyptic world. In one corner you might find DJ's playing drum & base with little kids raving on their dad's shoulders, in another nook you might catch an artist singing an acoustic version of Radiohead's Creep with an accompanying banjo. It's all abit bonkers but it certainly has character!

Caravanserai - Camp Bestival

Good to see the Lovebot in the Magic Meadow, and we encountered the Earthbot who made her festival debut in 2023. Earthbot stands at over 8 metres tall and has two slides, a treehouse den and a huge sandpit. The queues were minimal to climb inside her and my two really enjoyed the slides. 

A new addition to this year's Camp Bestival is the Explorer's Passport. Designed by Josie Da Bank, the passport is packed full of illustrations and information, plus space to add your CB memories. Scattered around the festival are Stamping Stations and each one has a different stamp to put in your passport.  Erin (age 7) absolutely loved this activity - it encouraged her to really explore all the areas in the quest to find all the stamps and it made a lovely momento to bring home.     

Moving onto the Upper Kids Garden, my children were delighted to find the Circus area and the Crazy Bikes. This is somewhere we usually spend quite a bit of time in and this year was no exception! The crazy bikes are always a big hit and it was a race to see who could try the craziest bike. 

The Upper Kids Garden is also home to the Feast Collective - here you can find all kinds of food and drink offerings and the smell from DJ BBQ will lure you in! We found lots of benches and tables here and it was a great place to chill out for a while. Food is on the pricy side but to be expected at a festival. We paid £13-14 for burger and fries. Kids options can be found at most of the vendors for £6, although this isn't neccessarily a meal. Erin had a hotdog for £6 and we upgraded it to come with chips for an extra £2. She enjoyed this so much that she also chose it on the Saturday! 

If you are coming for the whole weekend then it's definitely worth looking into the Camp Kids Extra Pass. For £39.99 you will receive meal tokens which will get you six kids meals (x3 lunch options, x3 dinner options), daily sweet treat and unlimited fruit and water. 

Next to the Castle, we found the BBC Sounds Garden which turned out to be my son's favourite bit of the festival. A great place to chill - here we found deckchairs, giant beanbags, shade, headphones to listen to various different stations and podcasts and we were even able to have our photo taken in the Sounds Studio Photobooth. We realised that we could connect to wifi here so this place was a godsend over the weekend when our usual phone signal failed us! 

As the sun began to set, we made our way to the Castle Stage - this is the place to be if you want to catch some big name artists and bands over the weekend. Mcfly were the Friday night headliner and I for one, was very excited about this! The grassy area in front of the stage is pretty big and you'll find that lots of families with chairs and wagons will sit further back. We decided to head down to the front of the stage and join the throng of people waiting for Mcfly. As soon as the first song kicked in, it was a brilliant atmosphere and the kids were loving in! We sadly didn't get to see the entire set as both children were very tired but Mcfly were brilliant as always. 

As we made our way towards the exit, the fairground looked absolutely stunning all lit up and there was such a buzz in the air with families of all ages enjoying themselves. The walk back up to the car certainly felt longer on the way back but we couldn't wait to return in the morning to explore the rest of the festival. 

Day 2 - Saturday

We arrived bright and early to glorious sunshine across the festival site and we were excited for another fun day at Lulworth. The kids had lots of ideas about what they wanted to see/do so I was more than happy for them to take the reins! 

There are so many activities for children at Camp Bestival and this can be a bit overwhelming at first. Alot of these have to be prebooked (bookings generally open the day before) but for us, we were happy to explore and see what took our fancy. You can easily still find plenty to do without prebooking and I always find half the fun of festivals is stumbling upon random activities! 

We spent a bit of time playing on the swings in the Magic Meadow, and we also noticed a talent show happening inside the Big Top which was fun to listen to. A few minutes before we arrived there was a big Nerf battle which apparently happens every year. Saturday was fancy dress day and so many people had made amazing efforts for this years Space theme - we passed an entire family of aliens by the Lovebot! 

Just before 11am, we headed back up to the Upper Kids Garden to the Library where a whole host of talks were happening throughout the day. The line up included author Katie Kirby, who's Lottie Brooks books have been topping the book charts since their debut in 2021 and just so happen to be Erin's favourite! The Library tent was packed with tweens and parents and it was interesting to hear Katie talk about the books, and the characters. We were able to meet her at the book signed after and it made Erin's day to get a photo. Whilst this was happening, Elliot had been amusing himself in the BBC Sounds garden again! We did find it tricky with the lack of signal, especially when he wanted to go off by himself but we agreed a central meeting place at a specific time which worked...just. Shout out to the WI tent which can be found near the Library - here you can buy sandwiches, cakes and lots of refreshments that won't break the bank. 

After another play with the Crazy Bikes, we headed down to the Lower Kids Garden. Here you can find the old science tent which is now Space Camp - an exciting new venue where you can find demonstrations, workshops and plenty of interactive experiences. Erin really wanted to check out the Super Moose Toys Super Happy Playhouse - she was in her element with Bluey meet and greets, plus demonstrations from toys such as Magic Mixies, Cookez Makery and Little Live Pets. 

The Lower Kids Garden has so much for the kids to do and we ran out of time to do everything but we loved the vintage fairground rides and climbing up the observatory to look down at the festival. You can also find Navigation Town and lots of stamping stations for the activity passports.There are plenty of food options down in the garden and lots of shady areas to sit. We found the toilets here the nicest too! 

Looking out over Navigation Town

Next on the agenda was the much requested Dingly Dell area - both kids loved visiting here last time and it's a great place to come to get away from the hustle and bustle of the festival. Tucked away in the nearby woods you'll find a tranquil area where children can go wild with their imaginations. There are mud kitchens, instruments made from recycled instruments, you can create models from clay....there is even a lovely big play area which my kids love. The big plus is that it's lovely and shaded so I had a wonderful time sitting out of the sun whilst the kids played! 

We spent the rest of the afternoon having a wander round the festival - we caught a bit of Mr Tumble on the Castle Stage, we danced to some beats in the Bollywood Tent, we drank huge slushies when we got too hot, we chilled in the BBC Sounds area, we practised our tightrope skills at the Circus, we listened to some fab kids singing and playing Nirvana at Rock School, we waved at Mister Maker in the CBeebies bedtime tent and we played some retro games at the Games Museum. 

We also managed to catch another Q & A at the book signing - this time it was Cerrie Burnell who we know from her CBeebies time back in the day. She is a very succesful children's author and her Unicorn books have gained a brand new fan in Erin! There is even a well stocked book shop at Camp Bestival (run by some very friendly volunteers) so we were able to pick up one of Cerrie's books which Erin had signed. 

Our tummies were rumbling at this point so we followed our noses back to the Feast Collective where I had a really good buttermilk fried chicken burger and fries and the kids opted for hotdogs again. There are so many food options at Feast Collective - I wanted to try everything! There are plenty of seating areas near the food vendors and whilst we ate our dinner we chatted to some other families sat nearby and it was a great way to spend a bit of chill time. We have found that everyone is so friendly at CB and there is never any shortage of people to chat to - Erin even managed to bag herself a new penpal!

After a quick boogie to The Darkness on the Castle Stage we decided to call it a day with two very tired, sweaty children. The walk back up the carpark was less than appealing so we decided to treat ourselves to a ride up the hill in the Charity Concierge's Festival Taxis. Suggested donation was £7 per person (kids go free) and this was money well spent as we whizzed up the hill! All the money goes to charity and the taxis run throughout the weekend. Look out for the big "Taxi stop" signs - we hopped on one by the main entrance. 

After spending two days at Camp Bestival, these are my top tips to help you have the best time:

•  Take snacks! If your kids are anything like mine, then they'll have a bottomless stomach in the school holidays and it can work out very expensive if you have buy food everytime they say they're hungry. I packed a zip lock bag for each child with lots of snacks in for the day - once this was gone, that was it.
• Frozen capri suns make great icepacks
• Ensure kids are aware of welfare tents and what to do if lost. We had no signal all weekend so found it hard to stay in touch with my eldest when he explored by himself - we gave him specific instructions regarding meeting places. You could also make sure you take a photo of your child in the morning so you know exactly what they are wearing incase they get lost
• Go with the flow! The list of activities can be overwhelming but you can easily still have a fantastic festival experience without prebooking anything
• There are free water stations dotted around the festival site so bring your refillable bottle
• The festival loos weren't too bad but we found it helped bringing our own wetwipes and anti-bac gel for after
• Wear comfy shoes - you'll certainly rack up the steps walking around the festival, even more if you're parked in the yellow carpark!
• Less is definitely not more at Camp Bestival - wear the glitter, bring your sparkles, be bright! We did pack some festival glitter but definitely felt positively underdressed - I've never seen so many sparkly outfits in one day

Above all, have fun! Camp Bestival is an amazing experience for all ages and I'd definitely recommend getting a ticket. Tier 1 tickets are now onsale for 2025!

*Disclaimer - AD | We were offered free weekend tickets in exchange for an honest review