FAQs
Before you take a look through our FAQs, you may want to read our full Camp Bestival terms and conditions which might answer any questions you have.
Tickets
I want to bring my children who are aged 10 & under – 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 Ticketline. I want to bring my children who are aged between 11 and 17?
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. Where’s my ticket/wristband?
Tickets will begin being sent out in mid-June and will be sent out in batches up until a week before the festival. If you haven’t received your tickets by Thursday 18th July please contact your point of purchase: Ticketline: 0844 888 4410 Please note that tickets are being sent out in batches so some people may receive their tickets before you. Also if you have booked Camping Plus, these tickets may be sent out separately to your other festival tickets. I've signed up for the Weekly Payment Plan - when do my payments come out of my bank account?
On the same day each week - for example, if you buy your Payment Plan tickets and make your first payment on a Thursday, then the next payment will come out on the following Thursday, then the Thursday after that until the plan is complete. I might miss a payment on my Weekly Payment Plan - what should I do?
Please contact Ticketline as soon as possible and they will be able to re-arrange your missed payment : Ticketline: 0844 888 4420 (Monday to Friday 10am-6pm or Saturday 10am-1pm) Festival Where can I get a Site Map?
The 2013 Camp Bestival site map will be available from mid-July via www.campbestival.net. The site layout will stay largely as it was in 2012 with no significant changes to campsites. If you’d like to see the site map from Camp Bestival 2012 then you can still download it here. You will need Adobe Reader to view it. If you don't have it, it's available to download for free from here. 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 stall so please avoid printing it if you can. We like to save trees and so should you. 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. We will publish information on www.campbestival.net about which acts are on which stage and in which order, so you can plan out your daily schedules a couple of weeks before the event. What is the Camp Bestival Mobile App?
If we develop a Camp Bestival 2013 mobile app then we will post details on this website next year. Do I have to book in advance for any of the entertainment?
A few things have to be booked in advance, eg. treatments in the Soul Park and it’s good to pop by the tents and see the people running workshops and classes to put your name down to attend. Most entertainment and shows on site are all 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.
Travel When can I arrive / when do I have to leave? Thursday 1st August: The car park and box offices are expected to open from 10am. The campsites are expected to open at midday as per previous years. Campervans are expected to be allowed into the entrance to the Campervan Field from 10am. Fri/Sat/Sun: Car parks are expected to open at 7am & Campsite entrances open at 9am. Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun: No entry or re-entry into the site after midnight on any night. Monday 5th August: Campsites are expected to close at 2pm and car parks at 4pm.
I’m arriving by shuttle bus/car/coach/campervan/taxi – where will I arrive on site?
Exact details for Camp Bestival 2013 will be confirmed next year, meanwhile the following are guides based on travel info for 2012: Taxi & Drop Off/Pick Up: This is also located next to the Shuttle Bus point. Coaches: All Big Green Coaches will also drop off at the shuttle bus point as above. Campervans: Will be located in the same place as last year. Please follow sign for ‘Campervans’. Cars: To find your best route to Camp Bestival using an online journey planner or your SatNav please enter postcode BH20 5QS. Once you arrive near the site please follow the directions below and as soon as you see Camp Bestival event signage please turn off your SatNav off and follow these signs: From the East (via/near Bournemouth) - take the A35 towards Dorchester, turning left onto the A351 towards Wareham and then right onto the A352 signposted to Wool. Then follow 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 Boutique Campers: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via YELLOW GATE Camping Plus: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then signs for Camping Plus enter site via GREEN GATE Disabled Camping: follow signs for event traffic, then on approach to site enter via WHITE GATE which is Lulworth Castle’s main 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. Leaving 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 visi 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 £11), Car Parking is also payable when you arrive in cash at a cost of £15 (Thursday/Friday arrival) or £10 (Saturday/Sunday arrival). 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 are also available priced £5 per day, payable in cash on arrival. Camping When I arrive, can I set up camp anywhere?
Some campsites need to be pre-booked such as Camping Plus, Boutique and Tangerine Fields. You can only camp in the Boutique campsite or Tangerine Fields if you have booked accommodation in those areas prior to the event and for Camping Plus, you need to book a pitch. In general campsites, you can set up camp in any of the colour-coded campsites but not in any of the main arenas. There is small non-family campsite which you are welcome to camp in if you don’t have any children/family with you. Disability access 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 that it is possible to reserve a space at Camp Bestival are in Boutique Camping or Tangerine Fields where you pay a supplier 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 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 Field. My friends are staying in the 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. Can I bring my own alcohol?
Yes, you can bring in a reasonable amount of alcohol per person into the campsites for your own personal consumption each day. You’ll be asked to leave any excess alcohol outside the event. Alcohol cannot be brought into any of the main arenas/fields from the campsites. There are fully licensed bars available for you. 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 plastic containers before you arrive. 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 designated cooking areas in the campsite where you'll be able to go to use small BBQs and stoves to cook food. Can I bring a small BBQs or stove to cook food?
Yes you can bring these however you are only permitted to use them in the designated cooking areas which will be signposted in the campsites. Do not use cookers or disposable BBQs inside your tent, awning or campervan. Carbon monoxide can kill. Is there phone charging available on site?
You will be able to charge your phone at one fo the stalls offering charging services at the festival. Last year we had Charge & Store which was located in the campsite area. Are there showers on site?
Yes there are. Last year they were located in the Purple Campsite (2013 location TBC), 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 plastic bottle 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 our forum and camp with the forum campsite, organised by Miss_Scarlet and rseamer. More info 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. On Thursday there will be plenty food stalls and bars open throughout the campsites, plus in last year the Soul Park was open for all your pampering delights and should be open again on Thursday in 2013. Are there lockers on site?
Yes there are. Leaving valuables in your tent can be risky so please make use of our locker facilities on site – last year the Charge & Store was available in the campsite area. Can I bring my dog/cat/rabbit/gruffalo?
No pets or animals are allowed on site with the exception of registered 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.
Please also check our full terms and conditions here.
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 Ticketline. I want to bring my children who are aged between 11 and 17?
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. Where’s my ticket/wristband?
Tickets will begin being sent out in mid-June and will be sent out in batches up until a week before the festival. If you haven’t received your tickets by Thursday 18th July please contact your point of purchase: Ticketline: 0844 888 4410 Please note that tickets are being sent out in batches so some people may receive their tickets before you. Also if you have booked Camping Plus, these tickets may be sent out separately to your other festival tickets. I've signed up for the Weekly Payment Plan - when do my payments come out of my bank account?
On the same day each week - for example, if you buy your Payment Plan tickets and make your first payment on a Thursday, then the next payment will come out on the following Thursday, then the Thursday after that until the plan is complete. I might miss a payment on my Weekly Payment Plan - what should I do?
Please contact Ticketline as soon as possible and they will be able to re-arrange your missed payment : Ticketline: 0844 888 4420 (Monday to Friday 10am-6pm or Saturday 10am-1pm) Festival Where can I get a Site Map?
The 2013 Camp Bestival site map will be available from mid-July via www.campbestival.net. The site layout will stay largely as it was in 2012 with no significant changes to campsites. If you’d like to see the site map from Camp Bestival 2012 then you can still download it here. You will need Adobe Reader to view it. If you don't have it, it's available to download for free from here. 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 stall so please avoid printing it if you can. We like to save trees and so should you. 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. We will publish information on www.campbestival.net about which acts are on which stage and in which order, so you can plan out your daily schedules a couple of weeks before the event. What is the Camp Bestival Mobile App?
If we develop a Camp Bestival 2013 mobile app then we will post details on this website next year. Do I have to book in advance for any of the entertainment?
A few things have to be booked in advance, eg. treatments in the Soul Park and it’s good to pop by the tents and see the people running workshops and classes to put your name down to attend. Most entertainment and shows on site are all 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.
Travel When can I arrive / when do I have to leave? Thursday 1st August: The car park and box offices are expected to open from 10am. The campsites are expected to open at midday as per previous years. Campervans are expected to be allowed into the entrance to the Campervan Field from 10am. Fri/Sat/Sun: Car parks are expected to open at 7am & Campsite entrances open at 9am. Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun: No entry or re-entry into the site after midnight on any night. Monday 5th August: Campsites are expected to close at 2pm and car parks at 4pm.
I’m arriving by shuttle bus/car/coach/campervan/taxi – where will I arrive on site?
Exact details for Camp Bestival 2013 will be confirmed next year, meanwhile the following are guides based on travel info for 2012: Taxi & Drop Off/Pick Up: This is also located next to the Shuttle Bus point. Coaches: All Big Green Coaches will also drop off at the shuttle bus point as above. Campervans: Will be located in the same place as last year. Please follow sign for ‘Campervans’. Cars: To find your best route to Camp Bestival using an online journey planner or your SatNav please enter postcode BH20 5QS. Once you arrive near the site please follow the directions below and as soon as you see Camp Bestival event signage please turn off your SatNav off and follow these signs: From the East (via/near Bournemouth) - take the A35 towards Dorchester, turning left onto the A351 towards Wareham and then right onto the A352 signposted to Wool. Then follow 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 Boutique Campers: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then enter site via YELLOW GATE Camping Plus: Follow signs for Camping Car Parks, then signs for Camping Plus enter site via GREEN GATE Disabled Camping: follow signs for event traffic, then on approach to site enter via WHITE GATE which is Lulworth Castle’s main 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. Leaving 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 visi 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 £11), Car Parking is also payable when you arrive in cash at a cost of £15 (Thursday/Friday arrival) or £10 (Saturday/Sunday arrival). 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 are also available priced £5 per day, payable in cash on arrival. Camping When I arrive, can I set up camp anywhere?
Some campsites need to be pre-booked such as Camping Plus, Boutique and Tangerine Fields. You can only camp in the Boutique campsite or Tangerine Fields if you have booked accommodation in those areas prior to the event and for Camping Plus, you need to book a pitch. In general campsites, you can set up camp in any of the colour-coded campsites but not in any of the main arenas. There is small non-family campsite which you are welcome to camp in if you don’t have any children/family with you. Disability access 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 that it is possible to reserve a space at Camp Bestival are in Boutique Camping or Tangerine Fields where you pay a supplier 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 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 Field. My friends are staying in the 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. Can I bring my own alcohol?
Yes, you can bring in a reasonable amount of alcohol per person into the campsites for your own personal consumption each day. You’ll be asked to leave any excess alcohol outside the event. Alcohol cannot be brought into any of the main arenas/fields from the campsites. There are fully licensed bars available for you. 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 plastic containers before you arrive. 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 designated cooking areas in the campsite where you'll be able to go to use small BBQs and stoves to cook food. Can I bring a small BBQs or stove to cook food?
Yes you can bring these however you are only permitted to use them in the designated cooking areas which will be signposted in the campsites. Do not use cookers or disposable BBQs inside your tent, awning or campervan. Carbon monoxide can kill. Is there phone charging available on site?
You will be able to charge your phone at one fo the stalls offering charging services at the festival. Last year we had Charge & Store which was located in the campsite area. Are there showers on site?
Yes there are. Last year they were located in the Purple Campsite (2013 location TBC), 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 plastic bottle 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 our forum and camp with the forum campsite, organised by Miss_Scarlet and rseamer. More info 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. On Thursday there will be plenty food stalls and bars open throughout the campsites, plus in last year the Soul Park was open for all your pampering delights and should be open again on Thursday in 2013. Are there lockers on site?
Yes there are. Leaving valuables in your tent can be risky so please make use of our locker facilities on site – last year the Charge & Store was available in the campsite area. Can I bring my dog/cat/rabbit/gruffalo?
No pets or animals are allowed on site with the exception of registered 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.
Please also check our full terms and conditions here.
