Glastonbury - The Unofficial Ultimate Comfort Guide

A few years ago, I wrote Glastonbury: The Unofficial Survival Guide. This was something I shared with a couple of friends who were going to be coming with me for their first ever Glastonbury who asked for some information on what it was like and some tips on how to get by. It must have done its job as they both survived but on Sunday night, a last-minute decision was made to leave after the headliners. In part to avoid any potential traffic from the mass exodus Monday morning, to spread out the amount of driving the designated driver Liam would have to do that day, and most importantly, because he could not handle another night with the camping setup he had brought with him.

This last point was slightly surprising as Liam is very diligent with any purchase he makes and will normally take months of checking reviews and making cross comparisons before deciding if it is the original peppermint Polos or the spearmint ones he wants. An exception could be made as it was his first-time camping. So, as a result of this and in part by a request from Liam, please find this, Glastonbury: The Unofficial Ultimate Comfort Guide.

Tents – Make sure you get one with enough room for yourself and all your kit. The mistake Liam made was to think because it would just be him in it, he would just need a 1-man tent. At the best of times these would struggle to contain someone who is near as makes no difference 6’3” let alone them and their stuff. Get a tent sized for at least one more person than is going to be in it and if possible, with some kind of porch area. Because weather can never be guaranteed, in the event of rain you will need somewhere to keep muddy wellies and wet kit out of further precipitation but also not inside your nice, clean and dry habitable area.

Bedding – Sleeping bag is the obvious and sensible choice. Don’t turn up with sheets and quilts. It can get deceptively chilly in the evenings and at night but a 1 or 2 season sleeping bag should be sufficient. If you do get cold you can just put on some additional clothes or a woolly hat.

Get yourself a self-inflating air mat or inflatable air mattress. You are not a 14-year-old on a DofE expedition, a roll mat is not going to cut it any more. Another mistake made by Liam. The only time a roll mat would work is if it is supplemented with those square foam mats used in kids play rooms.

Location – What are you at Glastonbury for? The mainstream music between Friday and Sunday? The alternative attractions in the circus and theatre tents or the Green Future and Healing Fields? The late-night DJs after the main stages shut up shop? If you are looking for a relatively quieter night you want to look at staying towards the northern camping areas of the site around the John Peel and Pyramid stages or at the very western edge. Anything south of the Other Stage is subject to various late-night acts and events. Shangri-La, IICON, Block 9 and the Unfairground to the east and The Glade and Arcadia to the west.

Historically, the cohort I go to Glastonbury with pitch up in the Park Home Ground camping area. This is right next to Arcadia, the giant fire breathing spider and around the corner from The Glade. I turned up with the two Glastonbury virgins a little later that I had hoped for. All the prime real estate was gone and there wasn’t enough space amongst the other friends who turned up early for us 3 late comers to all fit. After what was known to be a pointless search looking for another acceptable spot in the area that would accommodate our 3 additional tents, we settled on being the most outward tents, right next to the water station, a diesel generator for the lights, the toilet block and one of the A-road equivalents for local pedestrian traffic. This combination left a lot to be desired. Especially when lazy commuters cut the corner of your tent, either kicking it or stepping on one of the guy-ropes right next to your head when trying to sleep. Get an early night beforehand, turn up early, bring earplugs and an eye mask and then you can relax. Lesson learnt.

Portable chargers – Signal across the festival site will be fleeting at best. You will stand more of a chance to get a snippet if you keep your phone on but modern phones will not survive the full weekend like that. Solar charging is available in the Green Fields area for a cost but make sure you have some chargers of your own.

Bring your own breakfast – The cost of Glasto can deceptively rack up. The ticket itself, getting there, any items you need for the weekend and fuelling yourself. Food prices took a noticeable jump this year, you can save yourself a bit of cash by bringing yourself a few breakfast bars and apples. If you have the equipment and capacity you are welcome to bring your own camping stove for beans on toast.

Transporting possessions – If you are turning up with a minimalist attitude where you have one bag on your back and the tent in your hand that’s great, you do you. But if you are bringing everything you need for a comfortable and pleasant stay, and wish to do it all in one trip, you will need a hand truck or a cart/trolly. Bear in mind that whatever you choose will need to be sturdy enough to survive the journey from the car park to your chosen camp site in all conditions and you will need somewhere safe to store it in the event there are any opportunist pilferers about looking to make their return journey to the car easier.