ONE whiff of summer and suddenly we’re hankering for the great outdoors, so all hail the festival season, when we can camp under the stars while listening to, well, the stars.

And with two of the country’s major bashes – Camp Bestival and Larmer Tree – staged on local soil, plus loads of other satellite gatherings well worth pitching a tent for, we’re spoilt for choice.

The Larmer Tree festival (13 to 17 July), with its beautiful setting and laid-back folk meets eccentric world music vibe has always been popular with old festival hands, but it’s attracting more families year-on-year, thanks to its blend of old faithful but quirky line-ups to suit the grown-ups, and host of arty, crafty, cultural and just plain bonkers stuff to keep the kids occupied.

Returning to the Larmer lawns following their headline performance in 2007 are Ozomatli and the politically-charged Asian Dub Foundation.

They join the likes of Jools Holland (but of course) and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with Sandi Shaw, Seasick Steve and Imelda May.

New additions are Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Caitlin Rose, Krystle Warren, The Coal Porters, Muntu Valdo, Emily Portman and Kitty Macfarlane.

Over at the equally picturesque Lulworth Castle, Camp Bestival 2011 (28-31 July) is shaping up to be a bit of rip-roarer, surpassing its previous two Best Family Festival award-winning efforts with the organisers are jumping for joy at the prospect of Shrek making his debut there. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, the star of Shrek the Musical will be joining Mr Tumble, The Gruffalo, the ZingZillas and Sooty in a super child-friendly line-up that is guaranteed to thrill kids of all ages.

With headline sets from Primal Scream Presents Screamadelica, Blondie and Mark Ronson and the Business INTL plus must-see performances from Groove Armada Presents Red Light, House of Pain, ABC, Katy B, Beardyman, and The Cuban Brothers with family entertainment from Mr Tumble, ZingZillas, The Sooty Show and festival exclusives from the English National Ballet, The Gruffalo (Live), Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage Café and Gavin Turk’s House of Fairy Tales, it’s already un-missable territory.

However, add some of the best comics around and you’ve got a big date for the diary.

In suitably ‘understated’ style, organiser, Rob da Bank says: “Another ludicrously varied and tasty announcement to get your teeth into, literally, as we announce some of the hottest chefs and festival food coming to Camp Bestival plus a mega comedy line-up headed up by Jack Whitehall.

“Easy Star All Stars are one of my favourite festival acts with their reggae versions of Radiohead and Pink Floyd and will be joining us at Camp and perhaps most excitingly for the young at heart Shrek is comin’ to Dorset. Yee-haa!’ He promises plenty of hilarity with some of the best comics on the circuit.

Heading up the line-up is Jack Whitehall. At just 22 Whitehall is already a veteran comedian with sell-out shows across the country and regular TV appearances on BBC1's Live at The Apollo, Royal Variety Show, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Mock the Week Channel 4's Stand Up For The Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats.

Of his forthcoming appearance in a Dorset field, Whitehall said: “I'm really looking forward to Camp Bestival in July. It's the only festival I am doing this year and I know it's going to be brilliant.

“I really want to see Beardyman, the things that he can do with his mouth are amazing! He is by far one of the best live acts around. Hopefully after you have seen as much comedy as you can muster, join me at the front of Beardyman for a mosh.”

Joining Jack will be former Best Newcomer Perrier Award winner Milton Jones whose 2011 show, The Lion Whisperer, sold out across the country, Radio 4 stalwart Marcus Brigstocke, Andrew Maxwell, Canada’s Craig Campbell who supported former headliner Frankie Boyle on tour last year.

As any Camp Bestival devotee will tell you, the grub at CB is great, and this year new additions include The Underground Restaurant, a hip supper club offering a set menu of hearty fare served on vintage mismatched crockery, glassware and table linen by waitresses in vintage French pinnies.

Cake-maker to the stars, Lily Vanilli will be there whipping up a storm. Little ones can design their own Medieval cakes ahead of the festival and Lily will transform the best one into a real, giant, spectacular cake on the Sunday. Everyone who enters gets invited to a tea party where the masterpiece will be revealed and scoffed.

Cake designs and contact details should be sent to the Bestival Office: Lily Vanilli Cake Competition, Camp Bestival, 25 Denmark Street, London, WC2H 8NJ before the end of June, so Lily can decide.

• Camp Bestival www.ticketline.co.uk/camp-bestival 0844 888 4410

• Larmer Tree www.larmertreefestival.co.uk/tickets.html 023 8071 1820

Post: Ticket South (MEL), Empire Lane, Southampton, SO15 1AP.