The tipis are all up and the crew camping fields are nearly full already, so it’s time to be thinking about packing for Glastonbury Festival if you haven’t done so yet. The old adage is still true: Don’t bring anything you wouldn’t mind leaving behind. Tent burglaries are much fewer than they used to be, but they still happen and always sleep with any valuables at the bottom of your sleeping bag. Never leave any valuables in your tent – make use of the property lock-ups. They are run by local primary school PTAs mostly, so small donations are appreciated.
It’s now been twenty years since I first stayed at Glastonbury Festival, and even though I now live in Pilton, I still remember what’s it’s like to carry (or pull in a cart) all your stuff miles and miles from your car to your favourite camping field. So try and pack as light as you can! This is an updated list from the one I did a few years ago….
Essentials
- Ticket
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Airbed
- Money
- Bank card (kept seperately from your money)
- Phone
- Wellies / Combat boots & gaiters
- Mac or poncho
- Suncream
- Chapstick with sunblock
- Bin bags (to sit on and to collect rubbish)
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Baby wipes
- Loo roll
- Paracetamol / ibuprofen
- Small water bottle for re-filling and carrying around
- Small torch
- Any regular pills or medication
- Feminine supplies (Depending on time of month)
- Clothes – including good quality socks
- Plasters
- A set of clothes to leave in the car so you can drive home dry
Additional extras
- Campsite flag
- Flagpole
- Umbrella
- Food (Amount depends on your budget to buy food there. I at least recommend snacks – rich tea biscuits; crisps; breakfast bars – anything that doesn’t melt or need refrigeration.)
- Drink
- Waterproof trousers
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Camping chair
- A book to leave in the car to read when queuing to get out of the carparks
- Hip bag/ bum bag for keeping small essentials safe
- Water bottle bag
- Condoms
Luxuries
- Hairbrush
- Dry shampoo
- Fairy wings
- Make-up
- Foot pump
- Pillow
- Puncture repair kit
- Battery fairy lights
- razor
- poi
- jewellery
- Glitter
- Tent lantern
With kids
- Roll-up ground sheet with carry bag. (To spread over mud so they can crawl/sit and play when you’re watching bands)
- A bag they can carry themselves
- Small activities to keep them amused when you’re watching bands or talking to friends. Eg. Bubbles; small books; small colouring or activity books; little cars etc.
- Identity tags or bracelets with your mobile number
- Sunhat
- Radio flyer type wagon/Woody wagon/Garden cart for you to pull them around in, along with blankets, cushions, sunshade/rain cover, plastic windmills etc.
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(I haven’t done a list for babies because it’s been a while since I had them and equipment has changed so much!)
Is there anything I’ve missed out? Please let me know in the comments, and if you’re going to a festival this year, have a wonderful time!
