Glastonbury Facilities
The Stuff Nobody Warns You About
Everyone bangs on about which bands to see at Glastonbury and what to pack, but nobody properly prepares you for the reality of surviving five days in a field with 200,000 other people. So we need to talk about the basics that’ll make or break your Glastonbury experience. Consider this your survival guide to the unsexy, but absolutely essential bits of Glastonbury that’ll save you time, money and a fair amount of aggravation. Hopefully, you’ll thank us later when you’re not wandering around like a lost tourist.
The thing about Glastonbury is it’s absolutely massive, it’s chaotic and half the infrastructure that looks fine on paper, but becomes an absolute shambles when you multiply it by the sheer number of people trying to use it at the same time. That cash machine that seemed convenient? There’ll be a 45-minute queue. That charging point you spotted? Already got 30 people hovering around it like it’s the last power source on Earth. Those toilets that looked okay on Wednesday? By Friday night they’re a post-apocalyptic nightmare. This is the unglamorous stuff that separates the festival veterans from the wide-eyed first-timers who spend half their weekend queuing for things or having minor meltdowns because their phone died and they can’t find their mates.
But don’t let this put you off! Knowing what to expect and planning accordingly is half the battle. The people who have a brilliant time at Glastonbury aren’t the ones who got lucky, they’re the ones who came prepared, lowered their expectations for modern conveniences and accepted that sometimes you’re going to have to make do. Sort out the basics before you go and you’ll spend less time stressing about practical stuff, and more time actually enjoying one of the best festivals on the planet.
Getting Into The Nitty-Gritty
Cash Machines: Sure, there are cash machines dotted around the site, but the thing is they’ll charge you around £2.50 per transaction and the queues are mental, especially in the evening. Plus, they all run out of cash by Saturday afternoon without fail. Seriously, bring enough cash for the whole weekend or you’ll be paying premium prices to access your own money while standing behind 50 other people who made the same mistake.
Phone Charging: Your phone will die. Accept it. The official charging points exist but they’re rammed and half of them don’t work properly. The Solar Tree in the Green Fields is decent if you can get near it, but honestly, invest in a proper power bank or two before you go. Some of the bars have charging points, but you’ll need to nurse a pint while you wait (but there are worse ways to spend your time!). Vodafone usually has the best signal on site, but don’t expect to be posting Instagram stories in real-time from the Pyramid Stage, the network gets hammered when everyone’s trying to film the same headliner.
Toilets (The Glastonbury Rite of Passage): We can’t sugarcoat this, the standard drop toilets are grim. Like, properly grim. They’re basically holes in the ground that 200,000 people are using, and by Sunday they’re… er… well, let’s just say they’re an experience! The toilets near the main stages are always the worst, so if you need to go, head to quieter areas like the Green Fields for a more civilized experience. The good news is there are way more composting loos and female urinals these days, which are infinitely better. And also, bring your own toilet paper because it runs out faster than getting hold of tickets!
Information Points: These are your lifeline when things go wrong. They’re scattered around the site and staffed by people who actually know what’s going on, not just a shrug and a vague point in the wrong direction. They’ve got site maps, can help with which campsites still have space, and know where the nearest working cash machine is. There is usually by large information point near entrance A and there are smaller ones dotted near the busy areas. If you’re proper lost or something’s gone wrong, this is where you want to be.
Wellies, Next Best Thing To A Hazmat Suit
Lost Property: Lose something? Head to the Information Points dotted around. But let’s be realistic, if you’ve lost your phone in a mosh pit or dropped your wallet in the mud, you might be out of luck. The lost property tent does reunite people with their stuff, but it’s chaos. Attach your contact details to anything valuable and maybe don’t bring that expensive jacket you’d cry about losing.
Bars and Food: There are hundreds of food stalls and bars across the site, from proper gastro setups to your standard festival burger van. Expect to pay London prices, we’re talking £6+ for a pint and £8-12 for food, so budget for £30 – £40 minimum per day for food alone. The bars near the main stages are pricey but convenient; venture out to the smaller areas such as The Greenfields or Circus for better value and shorter queues. If you can, stagger your meal times around the main rush times. The breakfast places- they are rammed by 9.30 am, so aim to get breakfast between 7am and 8am. Lunchtimes – naturally 12pm to 2pm are peak, so aim for either side of this. Dinner times – peak is between 5.30pm and 7pm, so if you can last until 8pm or later, you’ll have an easier queue.
Most vendors take card now, however as previously mentioned, the network can slow to a crawl, which also slows down payments. So if you’re hungry or thirsty, cash is still king, especially at some of the smaller stalls. The food variety is proper great though! You can get everything from Italian wood-fired pizza, to Thai food, to Caribbean Jerk, so at least you’re paying premium prices for decent grub.
You’re Ready
Dealing with these challenges actually becomes part of your Glastonbury story. That moment when you and three strangers bond over the horror show that is the Sunday morning toilet situation? That’s a genuine festival memory. The time you had to meet your mates using only vague landmarks because you all split to find different food stalls? You’ll be laughing about that for years. The difference between having a brilliant time and spending half your weekend stressed is preparation. Sort out the boring practical stuff before you arrive: bring enough cash, charge your power banks, pack that extra toilet roll, download the app and you’ll have the mental space to actually enjoy the incredible experience that Glastonbury offers.
Do this and by Sunday afternoon you’ll be a completely different festival-goer than the person who nervously arrived on Wednesday. You’ll know which toilets to avoid, where the quiet cash machines are, and exactly how long you can survive without phone signal. You’ll also have made peace with the mud and probably lowered your hygiene standards by about 70%. Survive this and you will find yourself giving exactly this same advice to some worried-looking first-timer you meet in a queue next time, reassuring them that yes, it’s all a bit mad, but it’s absolutely brilliant. That’s how Glastonbury works, it turns everyone into a veteran eventually. You’ve got this.
Comfort Starts At Your Base Camp
Got your power bank and cash prepped? Now prepare your camping with one of our hire tents. Saving you from long-term storage troubles.