Our Family Day Out at CarFest 2025

Our Family Festival Adventure

This summer we headed to CarFest 2025 for a family day out, and it reminded me exactly why I love family friendly festivals. Although lots of families camp for the whole weekend, we just went for the day—and honestly, it was more than enough to soak up the atmosphere, try new activities, and see what CarFest is all about. This was our third year attending, so the kids were already buzzing with excitement before we even arrived.

CarFest was created back in 2012 by Chris Evans and has raised over £25 million for children’s charities. Knowing that all the fun we were having was also helping to support good causes gave the whole day an extra feel-good factor.

 What makes CarFest stand out is the variety. Families can dip into so many different areas across the festival:

Cars, Cars, and More Cars

The cars are always one of the big highlights for us. We spent ages in the paddock admiring rows of classic cars, supercars, and racing cars—the kids loved spotting their favourites and asking questions. There were plenty of demonstrations and track shows too, with stunts and speed that had the crowd gasping.

It’s such a brilliant way to introduce children to something they might not see every day, and there’s a real buzz about being so close to the action.

KidsFest: The Children’s Favourite Spot

Of course, the area that Elliot and Erin made a beeline for was KidsFest. It’s completely geared towards children, with craft activities, inflatables, character meet-and-greets (the Gruffalo and Bluey were big hits), a book corner (with celebrity authors dropping in) and so much more.

The real highlight was the Young Drivers area. Elliot got behind the wheel of a real car with an instructor (he said it was “fun but a bit stressful!”), and Erin was absolutely thrilled to zip around in a Firefly Sport mini electric car. It made them both feel so grown up.

FoodFest: A Feast for All of Us

FoodFest was a feast for all the senses, with rows of stalls offering everything from wood-fired pizzas and sizzling street food to curries, burgers, and sweet treats. The atmosphere was lively, with the smells of cooking drifting across the festival and chefs giving live demonstrations on stage. Erin loved the hands-on biscuit decorating, while Elliot was drawn to the spicy sauces!

Many of the exhibitor were offering free samples and we particularly liked the Whitworth's stand where we came away with many, many bags of fruit and nuts, plus even some piping hot vegetarian chilli con carne.

 

Time Out at SpaFest

Festivals can be full-on, so it was nice to take a breather at SpaFest. The yoga sessions, wellness talks, and calmer vibe made it the perfect place to recharge before heading back to the busier parts of the site.

Celebrity Spotting at StarFest

Packed with the sparkle of celebrity, StarFest takes you behind the scenes of the worlds of TV, cinema, music, literature, comedy, and fashion. It’s a space where families can join in celebrating the success of some of the UK's best-loved performers, while also discovering and supporting new talent. We caught a few minutes of Lee Mack's talk and he drew a massive crowd!

RetroFest Fun

Another favourite for our family was RetroFest. Elliot loved the wartime displays and gun demonstrations, while Erin made the most of the retro playground with space hoppers and swingball in the Old Skoolyard. The whole area had such a fun nostalgic feel, and it was a nice mix of history and play.

Music to End the Day

For us, no festival would be complete without music, and CarFest had a brilliant line-up. This year’s line-up included Travis, Kim Wilde, Sam Ryder, Rita Ora, Tom Walker, Seasick Steve, Madness, Squeeze, and The Lightning Seeds, alongside performances from emerging artists and festival favourites such as the Rick Parfitt Jnr Band. The atmosphere at the Main Stage was welcoming and family-friendly, with plenty of space for dancing or just relaxing with a picnic. As in previous years, many families set up their chairs first thing in the morning and this is a great way of securing good spots. 

Family Festival Tips from Our Day

If you’re thinking of trying out a family festival day out, here are a few things we found really useful at CarFest:

• Tickets: In 2025, day tickets were £89–£102 for adults and £21–£26 for kids (under-fives free).

• Food & Drink: Stalls were plentiful with options for all diets, but we also packed a cool box of drinks and snacks to keep costs down.

• Facilities: Toilets and family areas were clean and well looked after, with baby change tents and breastfeeding spaces dotted around.

• Prams & Wagons: The site was large but pram-friendly—we saw lots of families pulling wagons too.

• Lost Children: Pick up a wristband at the entrance and write your number on it. We actually lost Erin briefly in the evening, and the Lost Children tent staff were incredible in reuniting us quickly.

What’s Next for CarFest?

CarFest has always been at Laverstoke Park Farm, which gives it a really warm, countryside feel. From 2026, though, it’ll move to Silverstone. It’ll definitely be different, but with bigger grounds and world-class facilities, I’m excited to see how the festival grows and what new things it brings for families.

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Why We Love Family Friendly Festivals

By the end of the day, we were exhausted but so happy. CarFest 2025 gave us everything we love about family friendly festivals: exciting activities for the kids, live music for us, plenty of food, and a safe, welcoming atmosphere where families can relax and make memories together.

We’ll definitely be back next year!

To sign up for 2026 pre-sale access, click here and to check out our reel from the festival, click here

*Disclaimer - We were gifted day tickets for Carfest but all thoughts and opinions are honest and we genuinely had a fantastic time! 

 

Festival Essentials for Families: The Ultimate Day Trip Packing List

Planning a family festival trip is exciting—but if you’re only going for the day, it’s easy to forget what’s really essential. You don’t need tents or sleeping bags, but you do need the right gear to keep the whole family happy, safe, and stress-free.

Here’s the ultimate family day trip festival packing list to make sure your adventure runs smoothly.

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🎒 1. A Practical Backpack

A sturdy backpack is your festival best friend. Choose one with plenty of compartments to store water bottles, snacks, wipes, and the inevitable “treasures” your kids collect along the way. Comfort is key—you’ll be carrying it all day.

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💧 2. Refillable Water Bottles

Festivals are full of energy, heat, and crowds. Keep everyone hydrated with refillable bottles. Many UK festivals now have free refill stations. Top tip: freeze one bottle overnight so it doubles as a mini ice pack for snacks.

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🧴 3. Sun Protection: Hats, Sunglasses & Sun Cream

The British sun has a sneaky way of catching families off guard. Apply sun cream before leaving, then pack a travel-size bottle for top-ups. Hats and sunglasses are non-negotiable for both kids and parents.

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🧺 4. Family-Friendly Snacks

Festival food is fun but can be expensive and time-consuming to queue for. Bring simple, packable snacks like fruit, wraps, cereal bars, or flapjacks. This keeps hunger tantrums away and leaves room in the budget for special treats like churros or milkshakes like in the picture below!

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🧻 5. Wet Wipes & Hand Sanitiser

From ice cream accidents to sticky rides and muddy knees, wipes and hand sanitiser are absolute lifesavers at festivals. Pack plenty—you’ll never regret it.

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🧥 6. Layers & Rain Protection

British weather loves drama. Be prepared with lightweight raincoats or ponchos and packable hoodies for cooler evenings. A dry, warm child = a happy child (and a calmer parent!).

Good Times Festival 2024 - quite possibly the wettest gig we've ever been to!

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🔋 7. Power Bank for Phones

Your phone is your ticket, map, and camera. It may also be your emergency contact line or entertainment device during queues. A portable charger ensures you won’t get caught out with a dead battery.

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📍 8. A Family Safety Plan

Festivals are busy and noisy. Choose a clear meeting point (like a colourful tent or a big landmark) in case anyone gets separated. For younger kids, write your phone number on a wristband or even on their arm with a marker.

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🪑 9. Something to Sit On

Little legs get tired quickly. A waterproof picnic blanket is a lightweight option that won’t take up much space but will give you somewhere to rest between activities.

Can also double up as a temporary bed if tired ;)

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🥳 10. A Positive Attitude

Festivals are unpredictable—there may be mud, queues, or the occasional meltdown. Go in expecting a bit of chaos, and you’ll enjoy it so much more. Remember: these moments turn into the stories you’ll laugh about later.

A muddy festival experience! 

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Final Thoughts: Family Festival Day Trip Must-Haves

When it comes to festival essentials for families, it’s all about balance—packing enough to keep everyone comfortable without feeling like a pack mule. The must-haves? Water, snacks, wipes, sun protection, and a flexible attitude. With these, you’re ready for an unforgettable day out. 

 

10 Reasons Why Your Family Will Love CarFest

If you’re looking for a festival that’s fun for everyone – not just music lovers or car fans – then CarFest needs to be on your radar. Created by radio host Chris Evans, CarFest isn’t just a celebration of cars and music; it’s a heartwarming, action-packed, feel-good family adventure. Whether you have toddlers in tow, tweens looking for thrills, or teens who need a bit of convincing, CarFest has something for everyone – including you!

Here are 10 reasons why CarFest should be on your family’s must-do list:

1. There’s Something for Everyone – Yes, Really!

Let’s face it – finding a day out that the whole family enjoys can be tricky. But CarFest has cracked the code. It blends high-octane car displays with live music, food, crafts, sports, comedy, and kids’ zones. Mum can relax with a coffee and listen to live music, Dad can drool over supercars, and the kids? Well, they’ll be everywhere – from bouncing on inflatable castles to watching science experiments or making pizza in the food zone. 

Biscuit decorating at Foodfest

2. The Kids’ Zone is a Mini Festival All on Its Own

CarFest’s KidsFest area is a paradise for little adventurers. Think soft play, face painting, character meet-and-greets (yes, Bluey and Peppa Pig were there in 2024!), and entertainers on stage all day long. There are shows, craft workshops, storytelling corners, and even areas for toddlers to chill out when they need a break. It’s safe, secure, and designed specifically with families in mind.

Last year my kids highlight of the Kids Zone was the Frubes stall. Here they donned a velcro suit and attached themselves to a velcro wall - it was brilliantly bonkers! Not to mention the multiple free boxes of Frubes that were handed out over the weekend - especially nice on a hot day when they're frozen :)

3. It’s a Car Lover’s Dream (Big or Small)

Got a kid who’s obsessed with cars? A partner who’s never grown out of their love for fast engines? CarFest brings together a jaw-dropping selection of over 500 vehicles – from rare vintage classics to the latest supercars. There are live demos, track parades, and even the chance to ride in some of them with the Dream Rides experience. It’s interactive, hands-on, and thrilling – perfect for all ages. 

On the Sunday afternoon, the Paddock is open for eveyone to look round and Elliot was in his absolute element surrounded by all his favourite cars. 

Elliot in the Carfest Paddock

4. The Music Line-Up is Amazing – and Family-Friendly

Families will love the music at CarFest because it’s designed to be fun, feel-good, and suitable for all ages. With a mix of chart-topping pop, nostalgic throwbacks, raucous rock bands and chilled acoustic sets, there’s something for every generation to enjoy – whether you’re dancing with the kids in the sunshine or swaying to a sunset performance. 

We all loved seeing Sam Ryder at last year's Carfest - what a voice! We also thoroughly enjoyed The Feeling on Sunday evening - I didn't realise I knew so many of their songs and it was a fantastic atmosphere down the front. 

5. It’s Designed with Families in Mind

CarFest is brilliantly organised when it comes to families. You’ll find:

• Baby-changing facilities

• Child-friendly toilets

• Quiet spaces for naps or overstimulation

• Plenty of seating and shade

• Water refill points and first aid stations

Plus, the layout makes it easy to navigate with buggies or wheelchairs. Unlike other festivals, there is plenty of room across site so you never feel jammed in.

6. See Your Favourite Celebrities Up Close and Personal!

One of the most exciting things about CarFest is the chance to see your favourite celebrities up close and personal – and not just on a stage or behind a barrier. From TV stars and musicians to sports legends and celebrity chefs, CarFest brings big names right into the heart of the action. Whether they’re cooking in the Kitchen Stage, reading stories in KidsFest, performing live, or just walking around the festival grounds, you never know who you might bump into. I managed to bump into Tom Ellis at last year's festival - such fun! 

7. Camping = Big Family Adventure

Camping isn’t a must, but we highly recommend it. CarFest’s camping areas are safe, family-friendly, and full of festival spirit. There are quiet areas for early bedtimes, or livelier spots if your kids have energy to burn. Plus, there’s nothing like waking up in your tent to the sound of laughter, music, and the buzz of the festival starting up again.

Campers arriving on the Thursday evening can also take advantage of the Big Early - an evening of fun and games with TV's Aj & Curtis Pritchard. 

Photo Credit - Emma Varnom Carfest Buddies Facebook Group

8. It’s Sustainable and Forward-Thinking

CarFest 2024 took huge steps toward being a greener festival. All their official vehicles ran on eco-friendly plant-based fuel, and they introduced EV charging on-site for campers. If your family is eco-conscious, it’s reassuring to know that this is a festival trying to do better for the planet. As a bonus, if you are heading to the festival in your EV in 2025, you can sign up for exclusive festival perks such as lounge passes and priority EV parking. 

photocredit - Carfest website

9. All Proceeds Support Children’s Charities

Here’s something special: CarFest isn’t just for families – it’s for a good cause, too. The event raises money for several UK children’s charities including BBC Children in Need, Teenage Cancer Trust, and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. Just by attending, you’re helping other families across the UK. It’s a festival with a heart.

10. You’ll Leave With Full Hearts (and Probably Full Tummies Too)

There’s delicious food (from street food to sweet treats), craft markets with handmade treasures, and enough entertainment to last all weekend. But more than that, you’ll leave with a heart full of joy, a phone full of photos, and stories your kids will be telling for weeks.

Final Thoughts

CarFest isn’t just a festival – it’s a family experience. It’s the kind of event where you can unplug, unwind, and just enjoy being together. Whether you’re a first-time festival-goer or seasoned pros, you’ll find everything you need for a brilliant, bonding weekend away.

So pack the wellies, grab the glitter, and get ready to make memories – CarFest is waiting for you.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the website here

*Disclaimer - We were gifted weekend tickets for Carfest but all thoughts and opinions are honest and we genuinely had a fantastic time! 

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 

CARFEST - THE BEST FAMILY FESTIVAL IN THE UK?!

 We love taking our kids to festivals and we usually try and book one in every Summer. Over the years, our favourites have been Camp Bestival, Gone Wild and Lamer Tree Festival but this year we wanted to try something different. 

Step forward...Carfest! Billed as the UK's biggest family fundraising festival, Carfest successfully blends motor shows with live music and entertainment for the whole family. It was founded by radio DJ Chris Evans and has raised millions of pounds for children's charities. It ticked all our boxes - lots of fast cars for Elliot to see, a huge kids area for Erin, plenty of yummy food and drink for my husband and an amazing line up of live music for me. We were excited to experience it all! 

Day 1 - Saturday

We had weekend tickets but decided to stay in a local hotel rather than camp. It just meant having to take way less stuff and who doesn't love a comfy bed after a busy day at a festival! We left bright and early from Poole and arrived at the festival site around 9am. We found it nice and straightforward to find the carpark and it was well sign posted from the main roads into Overton. Unlike Camp Bestival, the walk from the carpark wasn't too bad and it probably only took us around 10-15 minutes. 

We were soon picking up our weekend wristbands and deciding where to explore first. The festival is split into different areas including Starfest, Spafest, Adventurefest, Kidsfest, Foodfest, Retrofest and then of course the card and music! 

Our first port of call was the Costa area - Costa are one of Carfest's sponsors and we had heard great things about the giveaways! Paul was happy - coffee for him whilst the kids tried their luck on the digital spin the wheel. We didn't win the Nintendo switch but we did come away with bubbles, lots of coffee, brownies, biscuits and even a really nice travel mug. I'd definitely recommend visiting this bit with kids! 

One thing about the music/stage area at Carfest that we quickly realised was people pitch up in the morning with their chairs/wagons/flags etc and just leave their stuff for the day. This seemed to be a bit of a contentious subject on the Carfest Buddies FB group but for us, it made sense to leave our festival wagon. It gave us a central base to return to throughout the day if we needed to and saved lugging everything around! It also meant we were guaranteed a good spot for the evening music. 

We spent the next few hours exploring the cars and there was so much to see. We caught some fantastic displays and the roar of the engines and being up close to the race track was something else! Elliot is car mad so he was in his element. We even bumped into Richard Hammond at the Smallest Cog workshop which was exciting although Elliot got confused and thought it was Ricky Gervais 😁

Richard Hammond - The Smallest Cog Workshop

When we're at a festival we don't like to be too strict about timings and prefer to explore and see what we stumble upon but one of our must sees was kids favourite Andy and The Odd Socks in the Kidsfest area. We've been fans of Andy's since Elliot was a toddler and it's always great to see his band and their live show. And of course we had to get some selfies after the show 😎 

Andy and The Odd Socks - Carfest

The Kidsfest area was home to Pudsey's Spot and there were lots of chances to meet some familiar faces there over the weekend. We met Bluey and Bingo and I'm not sure who was more excited, me or Erin!

The rest of the afternoon was spent exploring the food festival area and there was something for every taste bud at the Farmers Market. Packed full of stalls selling everything from gourmet brownies to spicy sauces, we managed to pick up lots of yummy treats including some amazing scotch eggs. We also caught a few demos by Candice and Bryony from GBBO which was really interesting. There seemed to be a lot going on in this area such as foodie workshops, book signings, chef talks, cocktail making - even a pop up pub with live music. We could have spent lots more time here and feel like we only scratched the surface but there was so much more to see...

We spent some time checking out the cars - there are regular track shows through out the day and it's nice and easy to find a good viewing spot along the side. Even for a non car-fanatic like me, it was exciting seeing some gorgeous cars up close and the kids loved the theatrics of the skids and hand brake 360s! There are lots of car brands at the festival and many opportunies to pick up freebies...which, lets face it, who doesn't love a freebie. The kids were buzzing to win hats, air freshners, tote bags, mints and even a few pens along the way. 

Soon it was time to head back to the main stage for the evenings musical entertainment. There are plenty of food stalls near the stage for when you get hungry and although it was busy, we never really had to spend long queueing. Prices were quite steep however (think it was almost £30 for two lots of burger and chips) but it's a festival and you do expect this. We shared a couple of meals between us, plus I took lots of snacks to keep the kids happy. I did get talked into a very expensive milkshake though! 

The music for the evening was brilliant, kicking off with the Bootleg Beatles. I loved hearing the crowd singalong to Hey Jude! The star of the evening for us though was undoubtedly Rick Astley. Never realised just how talented he is - he doesn't just sing but plays a multitude of instruments. Elliot really likes his songs so he was so excited to see him live and Rick didn't disappoint! It was such a great atmosphere with the lit up funfair behind us, and families of all ages singing along. 

We headed back to the car after a long day of festival fun but couldn't wait to do it all again in the morning. 

Day 2 - Sunday

After a quick charge of the car and a Mcdonalds brekkie at nearby services, we were heading back to Overton and looking forward to seeing what was in store for the day. We had no set plans but did want to explore the areas that we didn't visit yesterday. 

Our first port of call was to set up our chairs and area in front of the main stage. We then spent a bit of time exploring the Retrofest area. You can find all sorts here, like retro clothing stalls, cars, games and we even stumbled upon some energetic aerobics displays featuring lots of lycra! Some of the highlights of Retrofest included an area set up with old war vehicles and weapons. The kids were allowed to sit in the landrovers and even hold the guns, Elliot was living his best Fortnite life! We also found The Deloreon which was pretty impressive - the owner was so knowledgeable and we loved all the little bits of memorabilia inside such as a hoverboard and hologram photo.

We caught a few car displays and especially loved seeing the Ghostbusters car doing the laps! The track winds throughout the festival so it's not hard to find a spot to watch the live shows. 

We found ourselves in the Adventurefest field and this was probably one of our favourite areas. There was a large scouting section run by Hampshire scouts and the kids made a bee line for the climbing wall - rather than than me! We had a go at archery, and the kids added their Beaver/Scout troop to the Scouting map. 

We were also very fortunate to catch Tim Peake who was chatting to the scouts - Elliot managed to say hello and shake his hand which made his day! My husband was rather envious that he missed him but he did get to watch a Q&A with Tim later on in the afternoon at the Discovery Hub stage. 

Meeting Tim Peake at Carfest

Adventurefest was also home to Bugfest which as the name suggests, was a great place to get up and close to lots of creepy crawlies. This was one of the few paid for activities we did, and I think it was £5 per person to enter the Bugfest tent but the kids loved it and it was money well spent. There was no time limit and they were able to hold a tarantula, millipede, stick insect and many more. 

BugFest

We dipped back into the Kidsfest for a quick bounce on the giant bouncy castle and we made sure to pick up some freebies from the Capri Sun and Pip Organic stalls. We also headed back to the farmers market where we couldn't resist another scotch egg! 

With the afternoon almost over, we decided to spend some time exploring the Motorsport Paddock where Elliot was in his absolute element! It was a chance to get up close to some of his favourite cars and he thoroughly enjoyed spotting lots of Aston Martins. Aside from seeing Rick Astley, I think this was probably his favourite part of the weekend. 

Back at the main stage, we grabbed some food and settled in for the evening. There was a real variety of acts including Alex Horne's Horne section, Ricky Wilson from Kaiser Chiefs, The Feeling and The Village People. Unsure of how many of the original Village People line up were left but it was entertaining nonetheless! (Even if they did take an awful long time to start their performance)

The Village People - Carfest

Texas were the headliner for the Sunday night and I would have loved to have stayed to see their entire set but we decided to call it a night a few songs in with some very tired children in tow. We did  however stumble across a silent disco at the Bp Pulse tent so of course we had to stop and have a little boogie! 

We had such a brilliant weekend at Carfest and there were so many memories made - too many to mention in this blog. Highlights included meeting Tim Peake, dancing to Rick Astley, and hearing the roar of the engines on the track. 

Carfest certainly lived up to it's reputation and I feel like we only scratched the surface of the activities on offer. The kids are already asking if we're going again this year. We might even be brave enough to camp 😃

Ticket are already on sale for Carfest 2024 and can be found here

*Disclaimer - We were gifted weekend tickets for Carfest but all thoughts and opinions are honest and we genuinely had a fantastic time!