How to Survive Camp Bestival in the Rain

This year we ventured to our first ever Camp Bestival, the amazing family-friendly festival on the Lulworth Estate in Dorset. Despite having an awesome time, it was hard to escape the fact that it rained…a lot! And it was windy, and rather cold.
But a few simple things helped to make the weekend enjoyable rather than a washout; read on to check out how we survived Camp Bestival in the rain.

Pack wellies, rain jackets, an umberella and spare clothes

I guess this is a given, but you’d be surprised at how many people I saw trying to navigate the muddy ground in trainers and flip flops, soaked to the skin! Even a little bit of rain, coupled with thousands of people walking the same walkways, can turn the ground soft so you may well be grateful of a pair of wellies!

Even unicorns need rain jackets!
And fancy dress works with wellies and rain jackets too!

And even if it doesn’t rain, and they all get left in the car, it really doesn’t hurt to have them on standby.


Consider a bike trailer instead of a trolley

Trolleys are great, and spotting the amazingly decorated and themed trolleys was great fun, but getting them through the mud? Didn’t look very easy! We opted for a bike trolley that doubles up as a stroller and found that the bigger wheels faired much better on the softer ground.

Bike trailers also have a built in rain cover, which was much needed and you can also have fun decorating a bike trolley too!

It can also double up as a great tent transporter/toddler bed!

If you are set on getting a trolley for a festival, especially if you don’t have room for a bike trailer at home, then be sure to read this review from Yorkshire Tots to Teens, as they loved the Outwell Cancun Transporter.

Find entertainment undercover

Thankfully the main stage isn’t the only place to catch some great acts. There are plently of tents all across the festival to catch some great live music, DJ sets, comedy and much more.

Us grown ups absolutely loved Big Fish Little Fish and Junior Jungle in the Bollywood Tent

The kids were chuffed to see Louisa Johnson and Max & Harvey in the Big Top

And all the kids totally loved the Creation Station tent which offered free arts and crafts activities.

Escape to your tent/camper to eat your meals

There are so many amazing food options at Camp Bestival, we were really spoilt for choice, but unfortunately not many of them had seating undercover. As lovely as it would have been to chill out on a picnic blanket, in the sun, with some delicious food, it was just not to be. So  when the heavens opened, we would grab food and head back to the tent. That way we could have a more relaxed meal, dry out a bit and recharge before heading back out.

Just embrace it!

Yes it was wet, windy and cold, but moping and feeling down about it was not going to change the weather – so we just made the most of it! It’s not every day that you can jump around in the rain with your kids, in front of a giant disco ball, with tunes being blasted out around you, is it?!

So there you have it, a few ways that we managed to survive Camp Bestival in the rain. It hasn’t put us off at all and we will certainly be returning next year for more fun and games. Obviously, if the weather was wall to wall sunshine and blue sky we’d be delighted, but if it rains again we’ll still be dancing and having fun!

If this post hasn’t put you off too much and you’re ready to head to Camp Bestival, then be sure to read this post over at My Gorgeous Boys, which shows you some of the amazing things you can expect to see and do at the festival (the sun even makes an appearance in the pictures!)

5 Comments

  1. August 18, 2017 / 1:35 pm

    I bought wellies and raincoats for everyone except me! I can’t believe I was so unprepared. You’re right about the trolley as well, hauling it through mud wasn’t easy

  2. September 1, 2017 / 1:13 pm

    Great tips!! It still looked amazing fun. I’d love to do one next year as everything looks fab for kids xx

  3. pigeonpairandme
    September 8, 2017 / 10:57 am

    I love the pic of your hubby with his wine and muddy shorts! The tip about the bike trailer’s a good one – I wouldn’t have thought of that.

  4. Freddie
    September 22, 2017 / 5:45 pm

    You’re blog is amazing 😎

  5. Superrockingflexiblegirl
    December 9, 2017 / 2:34 pm

    Yes camp bestival was so fun and baby DLT was so cute in her little rockstar outfit.MR TUMBLE WAS THE BEST THOUGH!
    Love Amelie (your niese)

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