TODAY’S the day when Lulworth Castle throws wide its gates and comes alive with Dorset’s biggest annual music extravaganza.

This is the sixth year that the historic site has hosted Camp Bestival, the country’s largest family festival of music, fun and fancy dress.

Thousands of people are expected to pour into the site to camp over the next four days – but there are still a number of day tickets available to buy on-site so latecomers too can join in.

This year’s musical treats include Take That’s Mark Owen, rapper Labrinth, singer Gabrielle Aplin who sang The Power of Love over the John Lewis Christmas 2012 advert, Richard Hawley, The Levellers and The Proclaimers.

Mark Owen from Take That will be on the main stage this year showcasing his latest solo album The Art of Doing Nothing.

He said he was really excited about performing in Dorset and had heard nothing but good about the festival.

“I’m really looking forward to it because everyone says how amazing it is,” he said.

“It’s the only reason I did the album – I thought ‘go on, release an album and get free tickets to Camp Bestival.’”

Teenage Dorchester rapper Isaiah Dreads and west Dorset-based singer Billy Bragg will be providing local colour, while families with small children can enjoy fun with Mr Tumble and television stars Dick’n’Dom.

Other attractions include art, dance and theatre, a full literary programme, top live DJs and foods from around the world.

The idea for Camp Bestival came from Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank who had already founded the popular Bestival event on the Isle of Wight, but was looking for a festival suitable for his young family.

On finding Lulworth Castle near Wareham, Rob and his wife Josie realised they had the perfect venue for an event to suit all ages.

“We both wanted to do a family show, as we’d just started having kids ourselves and felt there was a bit of a gap in the market,” he said.

“We need to please babies, toddlers, teens, 30-somethings, mums, dads, grannies, grandpas, aunts, uncles and pretty much everyone in-between.

“We spend as much money on non-musical entertainment from arts tents and soft play areas to sit down restaurants and even a knitting tent just to try and tick everyone’s box.”

A limited number of Camp Bestival day tickets for Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be available each morning to buy at the Lulworth Heritage Centre.

Star-studded line-up

HEADLINERS on the main stage are Richard Hawley on Friday, the Levellers on Saturday and Labrinth on Sunday.

Also appearing on Friday are Billy Bragg, The Proclaimers, Ash and The Farm. On Saturday top names include Mark Owen, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Grandmaster Flash, Gabrielle Aplin and the Cuban Brothers.

On Sunday the line-up includes DJ Fresh, 80s favourites Heaven 17, Nik Kershaw and the Polyphonic Spree.

Other acts over the weekend include: reggae act Musical Youth, DJ Yoda, Andy Weatherall and Sean Johnston from A Love from Outer Space, plus superstar DJ Sasha, and drum ‘n’ bass gurus Fabio and Grooverider.