FAQs

Before you take a look through our FAQs, you may want to read our terms and conditions which might answer any questions you have, or check Ticketmaster's Camp Bestival ticketing help page here.

What tickets do I need to buy?

Check out our 'What Tickets do I need to Buy?' guide which explains all the options available and what tickets you need for each camping option.

Where should I camp? What's the difference between all the campsites available?

Take a read through 'A Guide to your Camping Options' for a full run down on all the different ways you can enjoy the camping experience at Camp Bestival.

I want to bring my baby/babe in arms – do they need a ticket?
They do need a ticket, however their tickets are free and can be ordered at the same time as when you buy your tickets. They can also be added on free of charge to an existing ticket order if needed by contacting Ticketmaster or your point of purchase.

I want to bring my children who are aged 17 or under?
Please read the full ticket terms and conditions which state that any ticket holder under the age of 18 can only enter the festival with a parent, legal guardian or nominated guardian of a certain age.

What is the Payment Plan and how do I use it to purchase my 2024 tickets?
Full information and FAQS about our payments plans can be found here.

Can I arrive on the Thursday with my Weekend Ticket?
Yes all Weekend Tickets are valid from Thursday to Monday.

Will there be any Day Tickets on sale for the festival?
A limited number of Day Tickets will go on sale closer to the festival.

I have a Day Ticket. Will I be able to camp or access the campsites?
No – unfortunately Day Tickets do not provide access to any campsites. If you want to stay overnight at the event, you’ll need to purchase a Weekend Camping Ticket.

Where’s my ticket/wristband?

Your e-tickets will be available in your Ticketmaster account which you can access via your laptop or mobile phone. Please note all tickets MUST BE DOWLOADED TO YOUR MOBILE before leaving for the festival.

I have booked for Camp Bestival Dorset, but would like to attend Camp Bestival Shropshire instead – can I change my booking?

Bookings for Camp Bestival Dorset are not valid for Camp Bestival Shropshire. If you have any ticketing queries, please contact your point of purchase:

Ticketmaster - submit a request via your ticket account.

Will there be any COVID-19 entry requirements in place at the festival?

In line with current government guidance there are no plans for any COVID checks for our event this summer.

Festival
Where can I get a Site Map?
The 2023 site map is available to download here. The 2024 map will be published around 1 week before the festival.

This map will also be available in the festival programme that you can buy when you arrive onsite from any of the merchandise sellers roaming the campsites, or from the merchandise stalls. Please be careful to only buy from authorised vendors.

When can I get a timetable/line-up/programme?
Programmes are sold separately and are available to buy at the festival or in advance when purchasing your festival tickets.

Is there a Camp Bestival Mobile APP?
Yes! Download the official Camp Bestival APP here...your year-round handy companion to our family festival holiday. Plan out your family adventure, receive updates and offers, and discover a world of music, attractions, theatre, comedy, activities and so much more.

Do I have to book in advance for any of the entertainment?
A few things have to be booked in advance, so it’s good to pop by the tents and see the people running workshops and classes to put your name down to attend. Also make sure to sign up to our mailing list for news on any pre-bookable events.

Most entertainment and shows on site are free and you can simply turn up, get yourself a nice spot, relax and enjoy! However it is advisable to arrive nice and early so you have plenty of time to find a good spot and don’t have to rush around.

Will you be accepting cashless payments at the festival?
All bars and food traders at Camp Bestival accept cashless payments only. You can use debit/credit cards or apps on your phone, such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. Pre-paid debit cards are a good option for children where needed so they can purchase food and soft drinks independently.
There are no ATMs at the festival so do bring small amounts of cash with you if you are planning on taking a taxi home at the end of the night.

Travel
When can I arrive / when do I have to leave?
Thursday 25th July: Car parks will be open from 9am. Box Offices and Campsites open at 10am. Campervans and Caravans/Trailer Tents fields open at 10am. Accessible campsite opens at 9am.

Fri/Sat/Sun: Car parks and Campsite entrances open at 7am.

Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun: No entry or re-entry into the festival site after midnight on any night. No entry into the festival site after 8.30pm on Sunday.

Monday 29th July: Campsites close at midday and car parks at 2pm.

I’m arriving by car/coach/campervan/taxi – where will I arrive on site?
Taxi & Drop Off/Pick Up: This is located through WHITE GATE and is next to Lulworth Castle's entrance gate.

Coaches: All Big Green Coaches will drop off / pick up at WHITE GATE.

Campervans/Caravans/Trailer Tents:
Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via YELLOW GATE

Cars: Camp Bestival takes place at Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Dorset. Please use the routes outlined below, following Camp Bestival event signage as you approach the festival:

(NB. please do not use your Sat Nav - follow the directions below)

From the East (via/near Bournemouth)- follow the M27 / A31 through Ringwood to Bere Regis. Follow the signs towards Wool and then follow the event signage.

From the West (via/near Dorchester) - from the A35 Dorchester by-pass take the A352 signposted for Wool and Wareham. Then follow event signage.

On approach to the event please follow the relevant signage which relates to your ticket type:
General Camping tickets: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via YELLOW GATE

Day Tickets: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via YELLOW GATE

Boutique Camping: Follow signs for Boutique Camping, enter site via YELLOW GATE

Camp Pre-Pitch: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via YELLOW GATE

Campervans/Caravans/Trailer Tents: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via YELLOW GATE

Front Row Campervans/Caravans: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via BROWN GATE

Kids' Garden Campervans/Caravans: Follow signs for Camping car parks, then on approach to site enter via WHITE GATE which is Lulworth Castle’s entrance gate.

Camping Plus: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then signs for Camping Plus enter site via GREEN GATE

Accessibility Camping: follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then on approach to site enter via RED GATE.

Hospitality & Backstage Camping: follow signs for Camping car parks, then on approach to site enter via WHITE GATE

NB - Please do not follow your SatNav once you are on the A352 as we will have some road closures in place and please watch your speed as this is a rural location and likely to have heavier traffic than usual.

What is the best time to leave Camp Bestival?
If you are driving home, bear in mind that the roads will be busy, especially during the morning and afternoon commuter periods. Why not delay your departure by staying an extra night or two in the local area and visit one of the hundreds of attractions in Dorset, visit www.visit-dorset.com for more information.

How much is the car park?
If you haven’t already bought your car parking tickets in advance (available from your point of purchase priced £21.50), Car Parking is also payable when you arrive at a cost of £26.50 (cashless payments only). You only need to buy a ticket once and it will be valid for the whole weekend, no matter how many times you come and go. Day Car Parking Tickets will also available priced £11.50 per day in advance, or £16.50 payable on arrival (cashless payments only).

NB: Weekend Ticket holders who are not camping should ensure they retain their ticket so it can be used for all 4 days.

Camping
When I arrive, can I set up camp anywhere?
Some campsites need to be pre-booked such as Camping Plus, Camp Pre-Pitch, Backstage Camping, Hospitality Camping, and Boutique Camping. You can only camp in these campsites if you have booked an accommodation to stay in (or a camping pitch for Hospitality Camping and Camping Plus) in those areas prior to the event. Backstage Camping works slightly differently, you can bring your own tent without booking a pitch as long as everyone staying in the tent has a Backstage Camping Weekend ticket.

In general campsites, you can set up camp in anywhere you like, but you are not allowed to camp in any of the festival arenas.

There is small non-family campsite which you are welcome to camp in if you don’t have any children/family with you.

Accessibility camping is available and needs to be applied for prior to the event. More info here.

Is it possible to reserve/allocate a specific space for me in general camping or the campervan fields?
The only areas where it's possible to reserve a space at Camp Bestival are in Boutique Camping where you pay for a pre-pitched structure, and in Camping Plus where you pre-book a pitch/or pitches for your tent.

The general camping areas are an open space where you find a free space to camp when you arrive. These areas have plenty of space and facilities and the majority of families attending the festival stay in general camping.

Campervans (and caravans/trailer tents) are lined-up by our staff when they arrive; the first in will be the closest to the entrance to the festival, the last in will be furthest away. We can't pre-allocate spaces in this area.

My friends are staying in the Boutique Campsite – can we camp with them?
Unfortunately not. No tents are allowed in the Boutique Camping fields. You can visit them in Boutique if they add Boutique Camping Guest Passes to their order.

More of our family members are staying in the General Campervan field – can we camp with them?
Each campervan is allocated 9 x 6 metres of space, usually enough for an awning and/or a small tent. As long as you remain within their allocated pitch you can camp with them. Please Note: a maximum of 3 adults and 4 children are allowed per pitch in the Front Row and Kids' Garden Campervan/Caravan fields.

I’ve got a Campervan and my friend has a Caravan…are we able to camp next to each other?
Yes. To do so, please ensure both of you purchase Caravan tickets. You will then both go in this field.

Can I bring my own alcohol?
Yes, Weekend Campers can bring in a reasonable amount of alcohol per person into the festival for personal consumption. Once you have entered the event you cannot re-enter with more alcohol supplies. You’ll be asked to leave any excess alcohol outside the event. Day Ticket holders cannot bring alcohol into the event.

Please remember that glass is not allowed anywhere at Camp Bestival so please make sure to decant anything you are planning to bring into the campsites into reusable containers before you arrive.

Challenge 25
We will be operating and enforcing a strict Challenge 25 policy at Camp Bestival. If you can’t provide valid identification when asked by bar staff, you will be asked to leave the site and come back with your ID. So if you are lucky enough to look 25 or younger, please make sure that you bring an acceptable form of identification.

Valid forms of ID include:
- An in date photographic driver’s license or provisional licence.
- A valid passport (not a photocopy). Out of date passports will NOT be accepted.
- A Proof of Age Standards Scheme Card (showing the PASS hologram).

Are Chinese lanterns, flares, fireworks or campfires allowed?
No, we have a no naked flame policy at the festival and in the campsite. Fires, flares, fireworks etc will extinguished by our festival fire service. HOWEVER, there are fire lanes in the campsites where you'll be able to go to use small BBQs (please dispose of them in the BBQ bins once completely extinguished), and you are welcome to safely use small camping stoves outside your tent.

Please do not use or bring Chinese Lanterns to light up and set off into the sky. As you will have seen in the news, the devastation that can be caused by these if they go in the wrong direction is something we all want to avoid, especially in a campsite environment.

Can I bring a small BBQs or stove to cook food?
Yes you can bring these however you are only permitted to use BBQs in the campsite fire lanes, (please dispose of them in the BBQ bins once completely extinguished), and you are welcome to safely use small camping stoves outside your tent. All BBQs MUST be raised at least 1ft off the ground. Do not use stoves or disposable BBQs inside your tent, awning or campervan. Carbon monoxide can kill.

Can I charge my phone at the festival?
Yes we will have a lockers with mobile charging facilities at the festival - please see the site map for location.

Are there showers on site in the general camping fields?
Yes there are. They are located in the Purple Campsite, and in Camping Plus but be prepared for a queue. It’s probably best to do at off-peak times such as the afternoon when they are quieter.

Are there water points on site?
Yes there are plenty free water points located around the main arenas/fields and campsites. Just bring a reusable bottle/container (not glass) to fill up.

I’m coming to Camp Bestival alone and am worried...
Don’t worry. Camp Bestival is the friendliest festival out there. Also if you’re worried about camping alone then perhaps join in some of the fun on the Camp Bestival Official Campers Group over here.

Can I leave the festival site and then come back in?
Yes you will be allowed to re-enter the festival site as long as you have a valid wristband on. Please note there is no re-entry after midnight on any nights so please make sure you have everything you need from your cars in the evening.

What’s happening on the Thursday?
Thursday is a great day to arrive at the festival as it lets you set up camp and make friends with your neighbours. It also eases the travelling, lets you relax and be raring to go on the Friday morning when the full 3-day programme of entertainment starts. This year on Thursday there's more open than every before with circus shows, trapeze acts, DJs in Caravanserai and Rimsky's Yard, amazing food and drinks in The Feast Collective, Wild Tribe happenings, plus food stalls and traders across the Magic Meadow, and Upper and Lower Kids' Gardens.

Are there lockers/mobile charging on site?
Yes we do have lockers on site. Please check the site map for locations, and do bring cables/plugs for your mobiles if you want to charge them in the lockers.

Can I bring my dog/cat/rabbit/gruffalo?
No pets or animals are allowed on site with the exception of registered assistance dogs and guide dogs. If you would like to leave your dog in a ‘home from home’ boarding service then a local service in Lulworth is www.happy-hounds-dorset.co.uk. If you have a Gruffalo then we advise leaving him at home.

What are the dates for Camp Bestival Dorset 2024?
Dates for Camp Bestival Dorset 2024 are Thurs 25th July – Sun 28th July 2024.