*KLAXON SOUNDING* One week to go folks — roll up, roll up — the circus is on it’s way!
There are just seven more sleeps until the gates of Camp Bestival open for another year. Weeeeeeeeeeee!
Excited much? Can you tell ;)
I keep saying to the boys;
It’s nearly time for the FESTIVAL!
Bless them. I’ve no idea if they really remember anything from last year. But this is met with mucho excitement; clapping of hands and hopping from foot to foot.
{So good to know that I’ve instilled the excitement of ‘festival season’ into my offspring. From such a tender and impressionable age too!}
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Favourite Things at Camp Bestival
I wrote very recently about my favourite thing from last year’s Camp Bestival — Caravanserai. But it suddenly dawned on me that I hadn’t written about what the boys loved the most.
It was in the magically named Dingly Dell and called Lizzie’s Way.
Now, when I was a little girl there was nothing (and I mean nothing) I liked more than making mud pies and playing with water.
Before the council deemed it appropriate to churn up the beautiful fields behind our family home and cover them in houses.
I had an outdoor ‘kitchen’ (OK — it was a table at the bottom of the garden) which had the loveliest views of grazing cattle. And I’d spend hours there making concoctions out of soil and water, whilst my bovine companions looked on.
So to find a very similar set up — just on a much larger scale — at last year’s Camp Bestival was absolutely enchanting.
And — just like their mama — the boys absolutely loved it there.
Lizzie’s Way
Situated in a leafy glade, with sunlight dappling the ground. Lizzie’s Way offers much-needed respite from the very hot sun that we were lucky enough to have all weekend.
Bunting and streamers, blow gently in the breeze. Whilst the gentle sound of water — punctuated by children’s laughter— fills the air.
Look up — and in the arches that span the trees — you’ll be able to spy strange birds and feathers plus wishes — written in a childish hand — hanging from ribbons.
It was such a lovely stop-gap from all the colour, heat and noise of the main festival site.
The air was cooler, and it had a lovely, mellow feel.
Cooking in Lizzie’s Way
The boys spent ages playing in a crazy ‘Heath-Robinsonesque’ kitchen. Tipping water from one cup to another. Wooden beakers and metal goblets; water splashing between them. Then on to bamboo rills, which cascaded water from one level to the next.
They were absolutely fascinated — typical Pisceans — they seem to have a natural affinity with water. They loved watching the liquid move from one vessel to another.
If you’re feeling a bit jaded. And adulthood seems to have robbed you of the magic and wonder of childhood, I urge you to buy tickets for Camp Bestival.
Because, I promise you, a short while spent in the Dingly Dell, watching tiny little humans play with water in Lizzie’s Way, will totally recharge your batteries and make you remember what it was to be a child.
Honestly.
A Little Film of Lizzie’s Way, Camp Bestival
Finally, because the words and still pictures don’t really convey what a lovely place Lizzie’s Way is, I made a short film.
Very short, actually — just 59 seconds.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
We never found it last time as we only went for the day and was gutted, it is on the to do list this time and were making sure we find it!
Did you find it this time Steph? We spent ages in there!! Can’t believe I didn’t bump into you!! x
We found it! It’s so lovely down there isn’t it, the kids would have spent ages in there. Nope I didn’t spot you…..although I am not surprised! You going back next year?
SO gorgeous in there isn’t it?! The boys didn’t want to leave!!!!! And YES! Fingers crossed we will!! :)
This looks amazing and so up our street, we love being outside as much as possible in the warmer months and anything so colourful and wishful would enchant my children. Lizzie xo
Aaah honestly Lizzie — it’s SO fabulous!!! The boys didn’t want to leave, this time round!! :)
Do you know what? I keep thinking how much Jasmine would love a mud kitchen in our garden and this has convinced me even more that we need one.
We can’t afford Camp Bestival this year but I really hope we get to go one year. It sounds absolutely magical.
I can’t wait to hear what you’ve got up to this year. Will have my eyes peeled for your upcoming Bestival posts. x
Snap. The boys had a ball making mud pies this time round — they were filthy by the end but loved every second!! I keep meaning to create a mud kitchen at home for them :)
ah it sounds so amazing!! I’m hoping to take the kids next year.. looks like your in for some beautiful weather to!
Can’t recommend it highly enough Claire — it’s SUCH a brilliant weekend!!
Oh wow! This looks amazing. We are going to our first festival this year and you have got me very excited! X
It’s so amazing! Where are you going for your first festival Sarah? xx
Sounds like a great festival and you will have lots of fun again this year. I have never thought about taking my girls to a festival, maybe its time to open their eyes to it x
DO IT!! Honestly — you won’t regret it! Even if you take them just for the day!
this looks so fun! A festival with family sounds like a lovely way to spend the weekend. Hope there is fab weather for it! x
Thanks so much lovely!! We were really, really lucky again with the weather — it seems to have it’s own micro-climate down there!
Oh this sounds 100% up my kids street! I was a lover of mud pies as a kid too. It is a looong time since I’ve been to a festival and never with the kids. I need to get on the case and rectify that. Have a fab time!
Aaah DO IT Sarah!!! Honestly it’s the BEST weekend in the UK that you can take the kids to — you’d all love it :)
This looks AMAZING! So much fun! I must attend something like this with Penny.
It’s totally amazing Lorraine!!! Penny would LOVE it :)