Camp Bestival 2016 – The Dingly Dell

Without a shadow of a doubt, the Dingly Dell is our favourite haunt at Camp Bestival and this year was our most magical yet.

The Dingly Dell takes you away from the rush of the festival and into the nurturing bosom of nature’s playground. In the daytime, the kids adore exploring Lizzie’s Way where they get to read stories, act out puppet shows, make mud pies and potions and make wishes to fairies.

Camp Bestival

Walk a little further in and try your hand at some of the National Trust #50things activities including climbing trees, rolling down a hill and building a den.

camp bestival

Then meet Fore Adventure for nature, craft and wilderness skills workshops and activities including bushcraft activities and how to light a fire. They also run events that have to be pre-booked including a picnic walk and sleeping under the stars and this year we headed out with them, the National Trust and the brilliant Martin Maudsley in the evening for story telling around the Camp Fire.

Fore Adventure

The kids were literally hanging off Martin’s every word as he brought stories to life whilst interacting with them and taking their ideas to weave in too. His songs were full of fun too and the evening was rounded off with some hot chocolate and toasting marshmallows on the campfire.

New for this year was Longdown Farm who brought along some animals for the children to interact with. The kids loved stroking the donkey’s and holding the cute yellow chicks. There is also a large children’s playground shaded in the woods which is a great place to let the kids blow of some steam, although Isaac was more interested in some pant flinging fun.

Camp Bestival

Back in the Dingly Dell the ATE Trust were running children’s activities and playing games. Last year we saw a lantern parade on the last night and this time we were determined to join in. Isaac and Eliza made willow lanterns with them on Friday and we returned on Sunday to “pimp” them with lights and decorations.

Camp Bestival

As the light faded the woods come alive with light and wonder as the kids helped rescue a stranded alien by recreating her solar system around a giant lantern sun before singing as they paraded around the lake.

Camp Bestival

For us, the Dingly Dell was a magical experience and the highlight of this years Camp Bestival experience.

Country Kids from Coombe Mill Family Farm Holidays Cornwall

33 thoughts on “Camp Bestival 2016 – The Dingly Dell”

  1. We loved our time in the Dingly Dell and can’t believe we didn’t go back in at night this year! So much to do elsewhere! Lovely pics and the Fore Adventure sounds amazing 🙂

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  2. I think we need to go back next year just for this, as we didn’t manage to fit it in! The boys had a blast, even though it was a long journey and eventful start for us!

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  3. Camp Bestival has always looked amazing and with this much to do for the kids it only adds to the amazingness, it looks fantastic and like you all had an amazing time, I love seeing your pics over on IG.

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  4. Dingly Dell would be my favourite part of the festival too, I’m sure my original fairy garden idea came from an old Camp Bestival post of yours. It always looks so magical and the staff look like real enthusiasts who engage the children in the activities being offered. The lanterns do look quite amazing lit up in the evening.

    Thank you for sharing another great Camp Bestival on #CountryKids

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