Thousands of families are pitching their tents ahead of a weekend of music and “wild” activities at a festival aimed at putting adventure back into the summer holidays.

As well as a line-up of major acts at Camp Bestival including Underworld, Clean Bandit and the Kaiser Chiefs, the festival site at Lulworth Castle, Dorset, is packed full of activities from llama olympics to mammal watching in the woods.

Justin Fletcher, children's television personality 'Mr Tumble' performs before the switch on of the christmas lights at the Bluewater shopping centre in 2013 (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
Justin Fletcher, children’s television personality ‘Mr Tumble’ performs before the switch on of the christmas lights at the Bluewater shopping centre in 2013 (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)

And the youngsters have their very own headliners including Mr Tumble, Dick and Dom and The Cat in the Hat.

Event organiser Rob da Bank said: “I don’t know where to start with our typically all-encompassing, diverse and pretty wild line-up.

“As Camp veterans know, music is only one part of the adventure and our incredible creative crew have really pulled it out of the bag with some really wild arts and kids shenanigans from The Train Trip to West End Kids and all the amazing workshops and wild activities to boot.”

Camp Bestival was launched in 2008 by the former Radio 1 DJ as a sister event to his original event Bestival on the Isle of Wight.

A large section of the festival site is devoted to children, ranging from the BigTopMania where they can learn circus skills to the woodland arena where they can take part in nature-inspired activities such as learn how to identify trees and have a close encounter with owls and falcons.

The weekend also has a fancy-dress theme of Go Wild, encouraging everyone to use their imagination to dress up as anything from walking shrubs to creepy crawlies.

New this year will be ferret racing and there will be horseback displays by the Wild Warriors of the Cossack.

Making sure the weekend is as relaxed as possible for the parents as they keep up with the children, the site includes an array of “glamping” options headed by Tangerine Fields, which provides pre-erected tents to ensure arrival is as as easy as possible, with tipis and yurts also available on site.

In addition, The Hideaway is a corner of the site dedicated to yoga, massages and the hot tub bus run by Bathing Under The Sky as well as being the starting point for Nature Runs – jogging while keeping in close contact with the natural surroundings.

Music on the main stages ranges from emerging acts such as Mercury prize nominee Kate Tempest, Slaves and George The Poet as well as old favourites Alison Moyet, Level 42 and Bob Geldof with other artists including Wretch 32 and Professor Green.

Children’s shows include the Insect Circus, West End Kids, BRIT School, Royal Albert Hall Albert’s Band and the award winning Funky Little Choir with workshops for the youngsters being run as well.