Camp Bestival has a very special place in my heart. This year was our 6^th year, and I can't ever imagine not going. Yes, it's because it gives my family everything we would need from a festival, music we love, so many activities we rarely get around to trying them all, clean toilets, a safe environment, but mainly because of the friends I've made, or as I lovingly refer to them my Festival Family. I have written many reviews of Camp Bestival and I always keep it to the Camp Bestival that everyone knows, the music, the food, the activities, but this year I wanted to share the other side. The side where there is a big group of people that are there to help out new people, give advice and makes everyone feel welcome.

When we first went to Camp Bestival 6 years ago my daughter was 4 years old, and we didn't know anyone else there. We had great fun, but have to say that even though we were going to bed at 10 we were exhausted. We didn't get to see the bands we wanted, and spent most of it running around doing the things that my daughter wanted to do. After that first year I went on the Camp Bestival chat forum to share my views on the festival but came away with so much more. There are people there in the same boat, couples with young children, single parents, parents who partners aren't interested in festivals and even people on their own because the rest of the family don't want to go, but people that are all looking to share their festival experience. Not just at the festival, but away from the festival. 

After a few years of chatting on the forum, and the occasional meet up at the festival (if you were lucky, with 15,000 people it can be like looking for a needle in a haystack sometimes) saw the birth of Camp Bestival forum camping (something that has been present at Bestival for a few years). Forum Camping is a place where anyone can come and camp and not feel isolated and alone. Where there is almost always someone around to chat to, and there are so many children its like one big creche. So if you love Camp Bestival, but feel that it would be better with a few more friends to enjoy it with go to the Camp Bestival Forum and say hello.

On to the review of this year's Camp Bestival, which on paper looked like the best so far. The biggest headline sets ever, additional tents, extra shows, literally everything a family could want. Looking at the line-up I could see that this year would involve a lot of running around to get to see all I wanted.

I kicked off the festival music with Kitty, Daisy and Lewis on the main stage. I'd not heard much of them before and I loved them, just what you need for a sunny lunch time, a three piece family band offering up a bit of everything, swing, country, rock 'n' roll and a touch of Hawaiian! Never have I seen so many instruments played by so few people, drums, piano, harmonica, banjo and even the accordion. They were a pleasure to see as well as hear, I'll be looking out for them in the future.

Usually the family shows are kept to a Saturday on the main stage (which due to the appearance of Mr Tumble are almost impossible to get to see) or to the big top, so it was great to see Horrible History's Barmy Britons Part 2 on the main stage on the Friday afternoon. We relaxed in the sun and enjoyed a fantastic show, it takes quite some talent for just two actors to captivate an audience of young and old for an hour.

I had a few hours break in the music so I went and had a look around at all that was on offer in the Kid's Garden. Just a quick wonder around turned into an hour, and I didn't really stop to do anything! Arts, science, Lego, Insect Circus, dressing up tent, Guardian Literacy Institute, helter skelter, knitting tent to name only a fraction of what was on offer in the Lower Kids' Garden. You could spend all day there and forget that you're at a music festival! But heading into the Upper Kids' Field was where all the fun was for me, so much quality food and drink. Back again were the Women Institute Tea Tent, selling the most amazing and reasonably priced cakes, the local farmers market and The Feast Collective. Rob and the team have bought together some of the best caterers in the country and there was so much to choose from I was worried I'd have 4 meals a day! The two really worth mentioning is Rola Wala, selling the fantastic Indian street food and Crayfish Bob where you could get the best and biggest plate of Crayfish I've ever seen in my life.

It was time to head back for the music and one of my favourites Public Service Broadcasting were on the main stage, and as always they didn't disappoint with their unique sampling of Pathe news with modern samples and live drums and guitar. After PSB warmed up the crowd Camp Bestival favourites The Cuban Brothers hit the stage in their usual anarchic style with Miguel whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Great music, lots of laughs and amazing dancing. One year The Cuban Brothers will get a headline slot and they will be the best Camp Bestival has ever seen!!

After a break for some food and letting the kids have some kid time, we headed back to the main stage and Johnny Marr. He did not disappoint, pleasing the crowds with plenty of The Smiths classics, a few Electronic hits and a sprinkling of his own. It was a set worthy of a headline slot, which in my opinion he should have been. Headline for Friday were James, who I have to say I'm not a big fan of, but was hoping to hear them play some of their classics hits. They played a few, but seemed to peak really early on in the set by playing Sit Down, and then playing too many new tracks for a festival set, until they finally played Laid for the encore.

Saturday started with torrential rain making the day look like it was going to be a washout, but thankfully by mid-morning the rain had passed and the sun was back out again. Perfect weather for a circus fancy dress parade. Every year Camp Bestival has a different theme and this year's was the circus. The theme can be seen all around the festival, with circus skills being taught in the kid's field and circus performers playing around the festival. Best of all was the Caravanserai area, a bar and small stage built from vintage caravans and fair ground rides, selling the best cocktails! The work that people put into the fancy dress is really impressive, and everyone has an amazing time.

A particular high point of this year's Guardian Literacy Institute line-up for me was the opportunity to see Jodi Anne Bickley interviewed by Scroobius Pip about her project One million lovely letters. I urge you to go to www.onemillionlovelyletters.com/ and read about Jodi Anne, she is an amazing and courageous women that despite the difficulties in her life dedicated her life to bringing a little happiness to other through letters.

Saturday late afternoon saw me taking part in a wine tasting, not something I usually do at a festival but it was free so I thought why not. It was run by Knackered Mother's Wine Club host Helen McGinn, a very brave women trying to teach 50 women how to taste wine and educate us on what wines to drink. I had a blast, everyone was in good spirits (well we would be with free wine being poured) and I learnt a lot on choosing the right wines. It was a great and very unique festival experience.

I had to run from the wine tasting to get to the Big Top to see The Lovely Eggs, a personal favourite of mine and my daughters. They entertained the crowd with their quirky pop punk sound, with songs like Have you Heard a Digital Accordion, Food and Don't Look at Me. Holly and David chatting to each other and the audience made for a very intimate feeling gig, despite the size of the big top.

Saturday night head-liners De La Soul opened their set with heavier than expected hip hop tunes, playing on their trademark call and response, working the audience into a frenzy ready to drop in their classic tracks. Arms in the air and the crowd were singing, this was a great Saturday headline.

The live music didn't end there, over to the big top for a midnight set from Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. Playing their last few played the perfect set for a late night crowd.

No better way to start a Sunday morning than a relaxing coffee and cake and listening to RSA Hour – Is the space race over? In the Guardian Literacy Institute with Kevin Fong. Presented at a level that children and adults could understand it and I'm sure bought back many a longing to be an astronaut again.

First big clash of the weekend was between DJ Yoda on the Main Stage and The Skatelites in the Big Top. I was glad to see that DJ Yoda had gone back to his AV roots with an amazing video montage working perfectly with his Djing, and the accompaniment of the Trans-Siberian Marching Band gave the performance a live act feel that really suited a festival set.

I popped into the Big Top to see Sean McGowan. I knew nothing about him and to tell you the truth when people were talking about seeing him I thought they said Shaun MacGowan! So I was pleasantly surprised to hear the cross between Jamie T and Billy Bragg. I loved the sound and I went away a fan.

Sticking with the Big Top the next artist I saw was Kate Tempest. I have been a long term fan of her with her spoken word and Sounds of Rum, however sadly the bass heavy sound in the Big Top meant that a lot of the insightful lyrics were lost, but the pace and energy were still present.

The headline act for Sunday, and the act everyone in the forum had been eagerly awaiting for months, was Basement Jaxx, and wow did they out do everyone's expectations!! They opened with the stonking Good Luck and from there on in worked the crowd into a frenzy with a well balanced mix of old and new, well known and not so known thumping tracks. 

The set was filled with numerous fabulous costume changes, one of the funkiest and coolest robots I've ever seen on stage, and so much dancing that your eyes couldn't keep up. Their set was one that will live with me forever, and always come to mind whenever I hear one of their tracks.

The final great thing about Camp Bestival is the Grand Finale, and for the last few years Camp Bestival have led the way in cutting edge projections by amazingly using Lulworth Castle as the back drop. So it was with a little trepidation that we waited for this year's finale as we knew there were no projections, but we needn't have worried. The combination of the immense fireworks, flames strewn around the castle, a brilliant choice of soundtrack and some very clever choreography meant that the crowd ooed, aahhed and giggled with glee. It really was like the firework displays from your childhood, where you simply remember having a huge smile on your face.

Camp Bestival, the festival for families who like having huge smiles on their faces.

Camp Bestival 2015 tickets now on sale here.

Photography by André Merel (Camp Bestival Forum) and thanks to Camp Bestival for sharing Facebook photos.

Review Charlie Greenwood and family.

Special thanks to everyone on the Camp Bestival Forum!