Fatboy Slim closed out Camp Bestival in Dorset on Sunday dressed as a giant bag of fish and chips, working up a sweat as he blew on an airhorn during his set at Lulworth Castle.
The DJ legend, real name Norman Cook, headlined the record-breaking final day of the four-day family camping festival with a Fatboy Slim & Friends All Day Castle Stage takeover. He curated a lineup that included The Beat, Brooke Coombes, Fat Tony and De La Soul.
Joe Wicks leads morning workout
Earlier in the weekend, fitness instructor Joe Wicks, known as The Body Coach, got families moving with a Wake Up & Workout session on the Friday. Dressed in his favoured throwback workout clothes, he led a group exercise session before taking a seat to read the CBeebies Bedtime Stories.
Other family favourites on the bill included children's characters Blippi, Mr Tumble and Dick and Dom, alongside a CBeebies Bedtime Story Read & Rave.
Critics praise the family festival
Camp Bestival drew glowing reviews from festival goers and critics. Mark Beaumont of The Independent wrote: "As the ancient stone of Lulworth Castle reverberates to a massed, shrill cry of 'BOGIES!' Camp Bestival smears jam across the chops of the summer once more. It's the ultimate in family friendly weekenders, with its wooded craft grottoes, its CBeebies meet-and-greets, its vast inflatable assault course and its annual scenes of Tumblemania."
"Kids can clamber around a range of giant robots, while their grown-ups can try their luck on the Independent Poetry Fruit Machine."
The Bournemouth Daily Echo branded the festival "unforgettable", writing that organisers Rob and Josie Da Bank "have spent decades building the perfect family festival experience" and had put in place plenty of shaded areas and free water points, adding that "the searing heat was undoubtedly a major issue for most festival goers" but that there was "more than enough fun and entertainment at this year's festival to make it unforgettable."
Clash Music called the event "silly. Cheeky. Communal," adding: "It asks kids to be bold enough to approach bucket-hatted randos, and adults to be relaxed enough to let them. Nobody wins. Nobody owns the peg." The outlet went on to reflect on parenting, writing: "You cannot give them a perfect childhood. You cannot be a perfect parent. But you can make some near-as-damn-it perfect memories."
What happens next
Other acts across the weekend included Billy Ocean, who performed in a suit, and Toploader, while children's character Hey Duggee met members of the crowd.
Festival curator Rob da Bank said of the event: "What a ridiculously fun and sun kissed weekend we've had, bringing families together in proper Camp Bestival style. It always blows us away to see 30,000 revellers get stuck in to so many activities, dancing to the beats and bands, getting arty and active with their families across our amazing site."
"There's nothing Josie and I love more than to see all generations enjoying time together. We can't wait for 2027 and are thrilled to announce that Early Bird Weekend Tickets go on sale this Friday! See you in Lulworth next year, campers!"
Camp Bestival by Debenhams will return to Lulworth Castle from Thursday 29 July to Sunday 1 August 2027. Early Bird Weekend Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 7 August, with more information available at campbestival.net.
