You Made Our Dreams Come True

The UK’s favourite family festival returned to Lulworth Castle, Dorset last weekend, for a sell out show with a legendary lineup featuring: debut headline appearances from Sir Tom Jones, Sugababes and Basement Jaxx, alongside top DJs such as Annie Mac, drum and bass legend Goldie, some of the UK’s best live bands and up-and-coming indie talent, and much-loved on-stage family favourites.

30,000 of you came together – in your pyjamas – on Saturday evening to celebrate The World’s Biggest Pyjama Party for a back-to-back DJ set from Rob da Bank and rugby legend Joe Marler; followed by national treasure Josie Gibson’s DJ debut alongside DJ Ellie Funk.

“Wow, that was a big old jimjamboree! Josie and I want to send huge and heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you that made it so much fun for our 17th year. From an emotional two-hour Sir Tom Jones show being the epitome of cool, Basement Jaxx getting us all jumping, and Sugababes dropping hit after hit, to Blippi, saunas, ice baths, tree climbing, even our posh new vacuum toilets and every single family member who came to join the CB family, it’s been a very special show! This is our 17th year and it just keeps getting better and better. We really hope to see you next year!” Rob da Bank

As ever, Camp Bestival presented by Debenhams was all about families making memories and having fun in the sunshine, enjoying live music; spellbinding theatre; immersive shows; circus spectacles; workshops, demonstrations and talks spanning science, arts and crafts, food, nature and the outdoors, parenting and family wellbeing; and – first of its kind – the inaugural Slomo Wellbeing Festival.

Caravanserai’s dazzling extravaganza opened with circus shows galore as Rob da Bank took the decks on Thursday evening, highlights included Dogshow and DJ Chris Tofu taking over to keep the late-night crowd dancing. At Bollywood, sets from DJ Aidan Hammond, Erol Alkan, David Rodigan and Greg Wilson brought high-energy funk, disco and classic cuts to a packed dancefloor. Over at Pig’s Big Ballroom, The Shellac Collective served up authentic vintage acts and retro treats — a true Camp Bestival favourite.

Family favourites such as Mr Tumble, Mister Maker, Dick and Dom, Andy and the Odd Socks, and – in his first-ever UK festival appearance – Blippi brought all the energy in a family knees-up on the Castle Stage, while immersive family adventures entertained all ages in the newly-launched Little Town, Dingly Dell, BigTopMania Circus Theatre, Sports Park and Navigation Town: an extraordinary world of creativity, curiosity and exploration, home to the magical team of Navigators.

A weekend programme of talks in The Library included highlights such as Teen Commandments with Sara Cox and Clare Hamilton, Mum Life and Make-up with internet sensation Genevieve Turley and Steph Douglas, and Dolly Jones’ Leaving The Ladder Down. Other guests included TikTok podcasters Rossi Woods and The Female Wife recording There, I Said It… live, MC Grammar, Anna Whitwham, Anna James, BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, and EastEnders’ James Bye, alongside returning favourites such as John Harris’s Pop Quiz and Man vs Baby. Meanwhile workshops from CALM, spy-writing sessions with Charlotte Philby and a talk by Earth’s Crust’s David Wright (aka The Breaducator) rounded out a packed programme in The Library.

Tucked away in a haven of calm amidst the festival buzz, the inaugural Slomo Wellbeing Festival – a brand new venture and festival-within-a-festival from Josie and Rob da Bank – delivered a family wellbeing programme for all ages. Practitioners including Jasmine Hemsley, Maude Hirst, Stuart Sandeman, and Goldierocks led breathwork, meditation, yoga, sound baths, chillout DJs, mantra evening sessions and family shakeout sessions, alongside the Slomo Reset Retreat – a two-hour journey of rest and rejuvenation encompassing yoga and movement, a soul-soothing sound bath and contrast therapy. Slomo’s contrast therapy offering included a collection of Nordic-inspired wood fired saunas, ice baths, cold plunges, Dutch hot tubs and fire pits hosted by the UK’s most exciting sauna masters and Aufguss champions.

Camp Bestival by Debenhams will be back next year for our 18th festival at Lulworth Castle, Dorset taking place from Thursday 30th July – Sunday 2nd August 2026. Early Bird tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 8th August and Kids Under 5 Go Free (limited offer).