Chuck Berry kicks off Camp Bestival

1:57pm Friday 18th July 2008

More than 10,000 people are descending on a 17th century castle to watch a line-up including rock and roll legend Chuck Berry, singer Kate Nash and alternative band The Flaming Lips.

The organisers behind the Bestival on the Isle of Wight, Hants, have turned their sights to the family audience with the launch of Camp Bestival in the grounds of Lulworth Castle, Dorset.

The inaugural three-day event, set amidst the World Heritage Jurassic coastline, kicks off with headliner Chuck Berry, The Cuban Brothers, Florence and The Machine and DJ Krust.

The festival is aimed at "yummy mummies" with boutique camping including custom-furnished tipis, yurts and gypsy caravans, barbecues, camp fires and a Dorset farmers' market.

Organiser and DJ Rob da Bank said: "We feel there's not a show out there with a really great musical line-up and where your children can enjoy it too - Womad, Guilfest and Larmer Tree do it, but for a different market.

"I'm sure there'll be some yummy mummies but also some freaky daddies, grown up babies and some rave children. The more mixed up the better for me."

Around 3,500 children will be at the festival taking part in sports day, story telling and jousting. They also have an animal farm, a dressing up tent with a catwalk and bouncy castle to keep them busy.

The event is inspired by the British 1950s holiday camp experience complete with the Bestival Bluecoats headed up by Miguel from The Cuban Brothers.

The musical line-up has been hand-picked by Rob who added: "At the end of the day it's my own selfish soundtrack."

Saturday includes festival stalwart Billy Bragg, up and coming band Black Kids, DJ Yoda, Dexys Midnight Runners' frontman Kevin Rowland on the decks and headliners The Flaming Lips.

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