One Of The Greatest Shows On Earth: The Glastonbury Festival Guide
Takes about 30 minutes to read (like a mini festival set for your eyes!)
Glastonbury, the name speaks for itself. Iconic performances through the ages, from The Smiths in the 1980s, Pulp’s legendary headline slot in the 90s that defined an era, Bowie’s return in 2000, Florence and the Machine’s impromptu headline act in 2015 to Elton John’s final ever gig in 2023.
Running for 5 days in late June near Pilton, Somerset and attracting over 200,000 people, it feels like another world with no other way to describe it. An unparalleled mix of music, arts, theatre and magic moments that connects each and every person to have gone. Everyone has a Glastonbury story, a moment that others who have been will totally understand.
Photo By Chris Drake, (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Heading To Glasto?
No need to turn your bedroom into a tent warehouse for one weekend a year. We’ll ship you a tent, you pack it up, head to the festival and you’re ready to camp without last-minute shopping stress or storage worries.
How To Get Glastonbury Tickets – Your Battle Plan
Warning, reality check incoming:
It’s difficult! Around two and half million people sign up to get tickets to Glastonbury. Tickets usually sell out in minutes to people who registered during the October registration period and snapped them up in the November ticket sale.
What’s My Best Chance Of Getting A Ticket Then?
Not to worry, we’re here to help you try and get your hands on those tickets.
Step One: Register in advance during the “Registration Phase” in October. Stick a reminder in your calendar or diary now to register if you plan on going.
Step Two: Keep an eye out for the ticket release date. Check the Glastonbury website and social media pages regularly for the announcement date. Alternatively, follow us on Instagram & Facebook as we also keep track of festival ticket release dates (we try and help when we can!). However you keep track, once you have that key date, put that reminder in your calendar.
Step Three: On the day of the sale, you need to jump on the site early and once those tickets are live, keep refreshing that page! The key is to have multiple people trying for those elusive tickets. Have a WhatsApp group call with your besties or your mates round for a hearty breakfast, as co-ordination is key. Once one of your group has the tickets, Breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate, you’re going to Glasto!
OK, I Followed Your Guide And That Didn’t Work. Now what?
So, you missed out. You tried the steps above but forgot that inviting that many of your mates over kills your dodgy wi-fi. Or you’ve overslept and missed that WhatsApp group call. In reality it was probably luck that meant you missed out on the first round. (You have roughly an 8% chance of getting a ticket!)
No problem, there are still a couple more ways you can get to Glastonbury.
Wait for the resale period in the Spring: Keep an eye on social media and the Glastonbury website for the coveted resale period. A limited number of tickets are always put back into market, usually because some people choose to pay in instalments and forget to pay up. Hot Tip: definitely don’t be that person!
Volunteer: Look for volunteer opportunities with Oxfam or other charities that are attending the festival. Sure, you’ll have to put some shifts in. However, they allow some down time for their volunteers to go and enjoy themselves.
What To Pack For Glastonbury – The Stuff That Actually Matters
Here’s the thing, packing for Glastonbury is about being prepared without overloading yourself. Everybody is unprepared for their first Glasto, so don’t stress if you’ve forgotten your wellies, left the blow-up mattress on the doorstep or did a last minute buy of a waterproof jacket that isn’t waterproof! You’ll still have a mad time, but the right kit just makes everything way easier.
So, What Do I Need Then?
Tent, your most basic essential: Your tent is your home for 5 days. There is no right or wrong tent to take, just as long as it has the quality to survive for those 5 days. You might consider something cheap in the £20 – £60 region but consider if it will withstand you flailing around to get dressed on day 3 in a tight space. Can you trust that you (or somebody else for that matter) won’t put your foot through it? One tiny mistake like that can result in a soggy mess that ruins your weekend. So shop for a decent quality tent from a reputable brand and make sure it doesn’t weigh a ton, anything under 5kg’s is manageable for a single person to carry. If you’re group camping, then the lot of you can probably handle up to 15kg easy enough, as long all your mates pull their weight.
If you don’t have the budget or space for a quality tent, hiring might be worth considering, but more on that below.
Sleeping Bag and Airbed, your other most basic essential: You will walk for miles and miles whilst on site, so a comfy place to rest those weary legs is a must. Choose a sleeping bag rated for variable temperatures as the nights can be surprisingly chilly, and a decent airbed as well for maximum comfort, you don’t want to be reinflating it at 2 am after an afternoon on the ciders! If a full airbed is too bulky for you, then a self-inflating camping mat is a good compromise between comfort and pack size.
Clothing: Pack light but smart is our advice. Prepare for anything, as we all know what the British weather is like. The bare minimum we suggest: waterproof jacket, wellies, sturdy boots, warm hoodie, multiple t-shirts and underwear, quick-dry trousers with pockets, a pair of shorts and a couple of towels. Avoid denim, if it rains it’ll never dry and if the weather is warm, you’ll be too hot in a crowd.
Other Practical Items: So, you’re sorted with the basics. Chuck all that in a rucksack and you’re good to go plus still have a hand or two free. What else to take? Firstly, alcohol is permitted on site. Beers, wines, spirits, that dodgy homebrew your mate’s made, all allowed as long as it’s not in glass bottles or containers.
We also suggest toilet paper, sunscreen, a power bank for charging your phone, painkillers or ibuprofen and some Berocca or some other multivitamin (let’s face it, you’re probably not getting your 5 fruits and veg per day whilst you’re here!). If you want a bit of fun, take a flag to help find your tent during the day and make yourself at home by stringing up some fairy lights around your tent.
Depending on how you’re getting to site, you could take a festival trolley and ditch the rucksack completely. Add some storage boxes to be super organised and you’ll have plenty of room to take some other essentials such as beer and water! Be mindful though, if it’s a washout that trolley could become a nightmare to pull in Glastonbury’s famous mud pit.
Mud and Sunshine, Prepare For Everything
Photo By Andy F, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tent Hire for Glastonbury: A Smarter Option?
Dropping £100+ on a decent tent for one festival feels a bit mad doesn’t it, especially if you’re not a regular camper. And cheap tents? They’re basically expensive bin bags that let you down when it matters most. That’s where Glastonbury tent hire makes sense. You get proper quality gear without the massive cost, the storage hassle or the guilt of binning it after one use. Plus it’s just easier, as there is no wondering where to put after you’re done with it or worrying if it’ll actually survive the weekend.
Tent hire for Glastonbury has become increasingly popular and for good reason. Our 2 Man Fresh&Black popup tent is perfect for festivals like Worthy Farm. It goes up in minutes (genuinely), the blackout fabric means you might actually sleep past 7am and it’s built to handle whatever the Somerset mud throws at it. Festival tent hire for Wednesday to Monday starts at just £54 plus P&P which covers the whole event. We’ll supply a returns label making return shipment a doddle after you’re done with it and as long as you don’t completely trash it, you’ll even get your full deposit back.
The catch? Decent Glastonbury tent hire options get snapped up by May when everyone starts panicking. So if you’re considering tent hire for your Glastonbury trip, don’t leave it until June. And honestly, it’s just better for everyone. Less waste, less abandoned tents littering Worthy Farm and you don’t have a soggy tent taking up space in your flat for the next year.
How to Actually Get to Glastonbury (Without Losing Your Mind)
You have the tickets, you have the gear, but do you know the best way to get there?
200,000+ have the same dilemma as they all head to the same farm in Glastonbury for five glorious days. So, some strategic thinking is in order, as your transport choice can impact your festival experience.
So, What’s The Easiest Option?
Honestly, Coach is the way to go. National Express run from over 90 places in the UK and travel directly to the coach parking less than 100 meters from the gate. No lugging your gear half a mile or more from where you parked your car, no being crammed onto a packed train, no chaos of getting shuttle buses. You get a seat, your pack is stored in the luggage hold and you get to feel the festival buzz from the moment you step on. Plus, the return journey is just as simple.
So, I Haven’t Been Able To Bag A Coach Space. Now What?
Train is our next choice for getting to Glastonbury, as it’s far simpler and easier than driving. No parking passes or traffic to worry about and everyone in your group can dive straight into the festival atmosphere, along with other Glasto-goers on the way. However, try and pack light, as travelling by train is not easy at the best of times. Bringing everything including the kitchen sink will turn your journey into a nightmare before you even reach the gates! The festival provides free shuttle buses from Castle Cary station so be prepared for some argy-bargy and don’t let the crowds get to you.
The Glasto Crowd Boarding
Photo by Matt Buck, CC BY-SA 2.0
Car, if you have to do it, be prepared! Have food and water ready and mentally prepare for sitting in traffic for a while. By Wednesday afternoon the traffic to site can be two hours plus and the Monday departure is even worse! The delays are not just inconvenient, they’re brutal, you’ll be sitting in a hot car questioning your life choices before you’ve even reached the festival. Glastonbury usually open the car parks from 9pm the night before, so if it’s practical, aim to arrive between then and before 7am on the Wednesday.
Getting there via car is half the battle, the next decision is where to park. Honestly, this depends on where you intend to camp, if you’ve picked one of the southern sites such as Park Home or Pennard Hill, then it’s quite a trek to all car parks, so probably doesn’t really matter in the end.
The Eastern Purple Car Parks are regarded as the most accessible for the entire site and usually has the shortest queues to leave on the Monday. Really good for Big Ground/Kidney Mead via Gate B or C and also Cockmill Meadow for the family camping.
The Western Orange Car Parks have the longest walks to site, however these are most accessible to Oxlyers, Paines Ground & South Parks via gate D. But these are a fair distance from both the car parks and the pyramid stage.
Finally the Northern Pink Car Parks are really good for Pylon Ground/Darble and also Hawkwell/Michael’s Mead and the surrounding sites all through Gate A.
Camping at Glastonbury – What You’re Actually Signing Up For
Look, camping at Glastonbury is where it gets tactical. We’re a tent hire company so yes, we’ll mention our gear when it’s relevant, but mostly we’re going to share the camping intel that takes years to figure out. This is the stuff will save you from ending up in a washed out tent or walking miles to see anything decent!
The Great Wednesday Rush
The vast majority of people camping aim to arrive at Glasto on Wednesday morning, why you ask? Well, veterans of the festival know that all the best camping spots get taken by the Wednesday. A survey found that around 60% of all campers return to same spot, year after year. So, finding a decent camping spot is a strategic operation, first-timers arriving on a Thursday can find this a bit brutal!
Where Are The Best Spots Then?
There is intense competition for the best spots on site, yet somehow some groups manage to bag them year after year, which must take some military level of planning! Truly though, the best spot depends on what you want your Glastonbury experience to be like.
For easy access to the Pyramid Stage, Big Ground & Row Mead are your go to. Big Ground is usually full by Wednesday afternoon, so aim to get on site first thing. Famously it also usually features the only flushing toilets on site near the glamping area! Likewise, Row Mead is also super popular as it overlooks the main stage, which means if you position your tent right, you can watch the main stage acts without ever leaving your sleeping bag.
Looking for more of a party atmosphere? For true chaos try Pennard Hill Ground or Park Home Ground. Both are situated by Arcadia, within touching distance of Stone Circle and Shangri-la, and is the beating heart of camping at Glastonbury. Both sites are extremely popular and fill up quickly, so if you’re into partying until 3 am (as the stage at Arcadia pumps out music until this time) and want to be right in the hustle and bustle of it, then these are the sites for you. Don’t expect too much sleep though!
If like us, you like to sleep then Hawkwell and Darble are your best bets. Situated around, but not far from, the main festival ground, both are slower to fill than our previous picks and usually have spaces into Thursday. Darble is good as it’s flat, less prone to flooding and is in a decent distance to Woodsie and the Pyramid Stage. Hawkwell is also a particularly lovely spot overlooking the site with some spectacular sunrises, if the weather is right! Be warned though, it is steep in places, so make sure you have some good quality hiking boots and a bit of stamina.
Alternatively, there is an off-site option in Pilton Hill Camping. They offer pitches for camping, glamping (if you can’t be bothered to put up a tent), clean showers, toilets and breakfast at the pub next door. They are in walking distance of the festival itself, at around half an hour each way if you’re up for it. If you’re not, then they also have a free shuttle bus to Gate A or take your bike and use the free on-site bike storage.
What If I Can’t Reach My Chosen Spot?
Missed the bus? Train running late? Or just your boss hassling you to finish something last minute before you disappear for five days. Getting there is the most important bit!
No matter where you end up camping, you are about to have the time of your life! So don’t worry if you can’t camp at your chosen spot. The key is preparation with the right kit, realistic expectations, and embracing the adventure, mud, sunshine, crowds, and all that Glasto has to offer.
We can certainly help with the right kit aspect, check our selection of tents for hire! (You knew we’d mention it at some point!)
Enough About Camping. What Alternatives Are There?
If you’re a bit more highbrow or just don’t fancy “roughing it”. There are numerous options, however some are extremely expensive.
The Luxury Options: Budget £3000 – £27,000(!): Onsite there is luxury glamping at Camp Kerala, The Pop-up Hotel & Love Fields. Each offer different packages that include high end suites in bell tents, fully furnished with king sized beds and some have access to other facilities such as spas, yoga classes and exclusive restaurants. The Pop-Up Hotel even has its own pool!
The Mid-range: Budget: £1000 – £3000: There are also further “budget” glamping options at The Retreat & Upper Woodlands Retreat. Options include bell tents with beds and access to hot showers. The Retreat also run a buggy service to save walking to and from site (handy, eh!). Tipi Village is also another shout, if you have a larger group as the Tipis there will fit 6 people. Finally, if you have a campervan, Love Fields also offers campervan spots with access to showers, food and a bar.
The “Low End” Option: Budget – Under £1000: Worthy View & Sticklinch are the official pre-erected camping sites. Just bring your sleeping bag, mat, a pillow and anything else, and away you go. Both have showers/toilets and grub on site. Call us old fashioned, can you really call it camping though if you’re not putting up your own tent? You make the call on that one!
Any Final Camping Tips?
Sure, here are a few things we’ve learnt at Glasto. Some of these tips also work at other festivals and campsites, so don’t be shy about using them elsewhere!
Use What3words: Glastonbury is an enormous site. Trying to find your tent in a field with 5,000+ other tents in dark is a bit of nightmare, especially after a few drinks! Once you have your pitch, pin your tent location with What3words. It’s a lifesaver when you’re stumbling around guy ropes at 2am.
Arriving Late? Tune Into Worthy FM(87.7): If you haven’t been able to make it to site on the Wednesday, then tune into Worthy FM once you’re close to the site to get info on which fields still have space for a pitch. If you’re unable to tune in you can always ask at a campsite crew base, they usually have the latest figures and can point you in the right direction.
Space Management: Every inch of space is at a premium on each field, so try and not take too much extra stuff. And for the love of God leave that gazebo behind! The last thing anybody wants is for that thing to take off and come crashing down on some poor soul, minding their own business, half a mile away.
Base Camp: Don’t stress too much about finding the perfect camping spot. You will find that most of the time, you’ll be away enjoying yourself anyway. So treat it like a base camp, it’s a spot for resting, changing and keeping dry if the weather takes a turn.
Pitch Tips: Don’t turn up in a brand new tent without knowing how big it is or how to put it up. Have a practice the evening before leaving for the festival, go down a local park and have a go putting it up and packing it away again. You’ll thank us later if you have to do this in the rain!
What To Expect – The Real Glastonbury Experience
So, you’ve got your ticket and you’re wondering what on earth you’ve actually signed up for? Well, Glastonbury isn’t just a music festival, it’s basically a temporary city that springs up on Worthy Farm almost every year, complete with over 200,000 people all doing their best to have the time of their lives. Here’s what you’re actually walking into.
The Glasto Vibe
Look, there is no point trying to describe the Glastonbury atmosphere because it’s genuinely unlike anything else. It’s like real life is on pause and you can just do whatever. Everyone’s buzzing and up for anything. The freedom you feel there is mad. For five days you’re basically living in this alternative reality where anything goes.
The crowd is awesome too; everyone’s there for the same reason and generally looks out for each other. Which is just as well, because the thing about Glastonbury is it’s absolutely massive. We’re talking so big it feels like loads of different festivals happening at the same time, each area with its own vibe and loyal crowd. So, bring some decent walking boots, as there is loads to explore.
Unfortunately, with that size comes challenges. Recent years have seen proper overcrowding issues. Security’s had to shut off popular areas like West Holts and the Other Stage because they hit capacity. When that happens, navigating the site becomes a bit of a nightmare.
The Weather (We’re British, So We Need To Mention It!)
Expect British weather at its finest, basically. You could get baking sun, torrential rain, or both in the same day. Prepare yourself for anything as this is what you’re most likely facing:
Mud Season: This is what Glastonbury’s famous for. When it rains, that clay soil turns into proper thick sludge. With thousands of people walking the same route this can quickly turn knee-deep in some walkways. Wellies aren’t optional, they’re survival gear.
Heatwave Hell: This is the flip side, when temperatures hit 28°C+, you’ll inevitably end up stuck in a crowded area with thousands of sweaty people. Stay hydrated, dress appropriately (remember, no denim!) and find shade when you can. Last thing you want is to end up at the medical tent.
The Mixed Bag: Recent festivals have thrown everything at people, warm sunny mornings followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon. Pack for everything because you’ll probably get everything (except flip-flops, there’s just no need for them unless you like losing them!).
The Stages – Where The Magic Happens
Pyramid Stage: This is the big one, famous around the world, the iconic stage you see in all the photos. It’s in this natural dip (basin, we think is the technical term?) so even if you’re miles back, you can still see what’s going on. This draws the biggest mix of people, families with kids on shoulders during daytime acts, proper festival veterans who’ve been coming for decades, and first-timers trying to get that perfect Instagram shot. The crowd here can be mental during headliners, think arms-in-the-air singing along to Coldplay or going absolutely wild when a surprise guest appears. It’s where you’ll see grandparents next to teenagers, all united in the Glasto moment. Aim to get to the act you want to see early, otherwise you’ll be watching from the beer tent at the back, which might not be a bad thing!
Other Stage: The second main stage. Expect massive crowds as this is where the indie kids and rock fans congregate. Usually a younger, more energetic crowd who know every word to obscure B-sides. The mosh pits here are legendary and you’ll spot plenty of band t-shirts from artists who played this exact stage five years ago. The atmosphere gets properly intense during guitar-heavy sets, The Prodigy was proper mental in 2025!
West Holts Stage: This used to be the Jazz World Stage, and it’s still the place for world music, reggae, and feel-good vibes. The crowd here is beautifully diverse. You’ll find reggae heads swaying alongside world music enthusiasts and people who just wandered over and got completely drawn in. It’s where festival-goers come to discover something completely different, and the dancing is infectious. Expect to see people of all ages moving in ways you didn’t know were possible!
Woodsies: One of the newer additions, tucked away in a wooded area. Way more intimate and perfect for discovering new acts you’ve never heard of. This attracts the music purists and discovery-hunters. Smaller, more attentive crowds who actually listen rather than just party. You’ll find industry people, music bloggers, and those festival-goers who pride themselves on finding the next big thing before anyone else.
The Park Stage: Down in the southern part of the site, this has become a bit of a sweet spot. Perfect when you need to get away from the Pyramid Stage scrum. It gets a lovely mix of wanderers and those in-the-know. The crowd here tends to be more relaxed, often sitting on the grass rather than pushing to the front. It’s popular with people taking a breather from the main stage madness but still wanting quality music.
The Ribbon Tower Near Park Stage Is Worth Checking Out Too.
Beyond the Main Stages
The Green Fields: This is the beating heart of Glastonbury and is where the festival’s hippie roots really show. It’s Glastonbury’s chill-out field, open and usually fully active from Wednesday at midday with spaces like the Stone Circle, the Small World stage and the Healing Field. The crowd here is a proper mix of seasoned festival veterans who’ve been coming since the ’70s, people seeking a bit of spiritual reset, and knackered punters finding the perfect spot to recover from the night before. You’ll find people doing yoga at sunrise, having proper deep conversations, and generally embracing the whole peace-and-love vibe. Perfect when you need a break from the madness or for charging your phone at the Solar Tree.
Silver Hayes: This is the hub of electronic music central. Four stages that will have you dancing until your feet give out; The Levels, Lonely Hearts Club, Firmly Rooted Soundsystem & Assembly. So, If you’re into dance music, this is your second home for the weekend. The crowd here is literally buzzing with dedicated ravers who know their way around a drop, uni students living their best festival life, and people who’ve just discovered they actually love techno after wandering over from the main stages. This area gets absolutely rammed after midnight, so if you’re planning to rave until dawn, try and get your bearings during the day first.
South-East Corner (The Late-Night Zones): Right, this is where Glastonbury gets properly wild after dark. Shangri-La, The Common, Unfairground and Block9, these areas are legendary for their art installations and all-night DJ sets. Shangri-La Stage has featured artists such as Fatboy Slim, Example, Marc Rebillet (who is one of our founder’s personal favourites), so you know the energy is going to be electric all the time. The crowd here is up for it, night owls, art lovers, and people who’ve had just enough festival magic to embrace the surreal. In 2024, Arcadia swapped their famous spider stage for a dragonfly, and it was mental. The sheer scale of the wings and the way they lit up the night made it feel like the whole crowd was dancing underneath a living creature!
Bit of a warning though, between 10.30pm and 3.00am, access to the South East Corner will be from the South East corner of Bella’s Field. It gets rammed and you’ll be walking for ages to get back to your tent. But that’s half the adventure.
Bella’s, Circus and Theatre fields: When you need a break from music, these three fields feature a variety of different acts. From comedy performances featuring big names over the years like James Acaster and Rob Beckett, to circus acts at the Big Top, and other varieties of cabaret and spoken word entertainment. The crowd tends to be more diverse age-wise and actually pays attention to what’s happening on stage, which you know is a nice change from people just filming everything on their phones. You’ll find comedy fans who know their stuff and curious wanderers who’ve stumbled upon something brilliant.
Facilities – The Stuff Nobody Warns You About
Right, let’s talk about the basics that’ll make or break your Glastonbury experience. This isn’t the glamorous bit, but trust us, you’ll thank us later when you’re not wandering around like a lost tourist.
Cash Machines: Sure, there are cash machines dotted around the site, but the thing is they charge you about £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 (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!
Wellies, Next Best Thing To A Hazmat Suit
Photo by neal whitehouse piper, CC BY-SA 2.0
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 (unlike half the stewards, bless them). They’ve got site maps, can help with which campsites still have space, and know where the nearest working cash machine is. The main one is usually by the entrance, but there are smaller ones dotted about. If you’re proper lost or something’s gone wrong, this is where you want to be.
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. The bars near the main stages are pricey but convenient; venture out to the smaller areas for better value and shorter queues. Most places take card now, but cash is still king 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.
Health and Safety – The Stuff That Actually Matters
Let’s face it, nobody wants to think about the serious stuff when they’re planning the best weekend of their year, but a bit of common sense goes a long way at Glastonbury. This isn’t about being boring, it’s about giving you practical advice to make sure you can actually enjoy yourself without ending up in the medical tent.
Medical and Welfare: There are medical tents dotted around the site, plus roving medics who genuinely know their stuff. The main medical centre is usually near the Pyramid Stage, but there are smaller welfare points in each major area. If you’re feeling rough, whether that’s dehydration, too much sun, or you’ve just overdone it, don’t try to “man up” & “power through”. The medical team have seen it all before and they’re not there to judge, they’re there to help. They’re also surprisingly good at dealing with everything from insect bites to panic attacks.
Staying Hydrated: This is the big one. You’ll be walking miles, possibly in blazing sun, definitely sweating, and probably drinking more than usual. There are free water taps scattered around the site, use them! Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up regularly. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, dehydration hits fast and nothing ruins your weekend faster than a bit of heatstroke. The signs are headaches, dizziness, and feeling generally crap. If that sounds like you, find water and shade immediately.
Sun Protection: British sun hits different when you’re stuck in a field for five days with no escape. Factor 30 is a minimum and reapply it more than you think you need to. The medical tents see loads of lobsters, err… people, with proper sunburn who thought they’d be fine. Sunglasses aren’t just for looking cool, you’ll be squinting at stages all day. And honestly, bring a hat. You’ll look like a tourist for about five minutes, then you’ll be grateful when everyone else is getting fried.
Look Out for Your Mates (And Each Other): This is massive at Glastonbury. If someone in your group is acting weird, can’t walk straight, or just seems off, don’t leave them to “sleep it off.” Stay with them, get them water, and if you’re worried, get help. The welfare teams are brilliant and they’d rather you brought someone who just needs a sit-down than miss someone who actually needs help. Trust your gut, if you see something that doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t.
Personal Safety: Glastonbury’s generally really safe, but you’re still dealing with 200,000 people in a massive field. Keep your valuables secure, pickpockets do exist, especially in crowded areas near the main stages. Don’t flash loads of cash about and maybe leave the expensive jewellery at home. If you’re camping, lock your tent when you leave it. Most people are sound, but why take the risk?
Know Your Limits: Look, we’re not going to pretend people don’t party at Glastonbury but be sensible about it. You’ve got five days to pace yourself, you don’t need to go mental on Wednesday night and spend Thursday & Friday feeling like death (those two day hangovers are a real killer once you’ve hit 30+!). Eat some proper food, not just chips and beer. Get some sleep, even if it’s just a few hours. Finally, if you’re taking anything you shouldn’t, test it first and don’t mix substances. The medical team can’t help you, if they don’t know what you’ve taken.
Emergency Contacts: Make sure someone at home knows roughly where you are and when you’re coming back. Keep emergency numbers in your phone, but also write them down somewhere, phones die, get lost, or get nicked. The site emergency number will be in your festival program but calling 999 works too if it’s properly serious.
Weather Emergencies: British weather can go from lovely to lethal pretty quickly. If there’s lightning, get inside a proper building or vehicle, tents don’t count! In extreme heat, find shade and water. If it’s properly hammering it down and you’re getting cold, don’t tough it out, hypothermia is real even in summer. The welfare tents are there for exactly these situations.
Our Final Thoughts On Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival is more than just a music festival, it’s a cultural phenomenon, and for many, a life changing experience. It has a unique ability to exceed expectations and create magical moments, moments that can pass quickly and all blur together when thinking back on it. The resulting transition back to regular life can be jarring for some after such an immersive experience (Post-Glasto Blues are a real thing!). So, whether you’re luxury glamping and enjoying it in comfort from a king size bed, or in the mud with thousands of others with a hired tent from Earthrise Camping, remember, there’s no single “right” way to do Glastonbury. You will discover magic around every corner as the festival has something extraordinary waiting for you.
The key is to remain open to the unexpected, take care of yourself and others, and embrace the unique spirit that makes Glastonbury the world’s greatest festival.
Glastonbury Tickets Now Sorted? Don’t Forget Your Tent!
If you’ve made it this far, then you’re almost festival-ready! Complete that prep and get that tent sorted with us before it’s too late.