The all you need to know @ Glastonbury Festival Thread

[mike99]

for starters lets kick off with the fine guide.

The Festival is open from 8.00 am, Wednesday, 24th June until 5.00pm, Monday 29th June. Please do not come before 8.00am on Wednesday.

The 1,000-acre site at Worthy Farm is on the edge of Pilton village, off the A361 between Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury. It’s a hilly dairy farm with rough tracks and uneven walkways which can be difficult to get about on, particularly in bad weather or if you have any mobility difficulties.

This guide will help you make the most of the Festival experience – and avoid potential pitfalls. And whether you’re an old hand or a festival virgin there’s even more useful stuff on the official website at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

To view the Fine Guide map for 2009, please click here.

Getting Ready

Everyone’s got their own idea of what to bring to Glastonbury but, when packing, remember, less is best. Help us by only bringing essentials – and taking them all away with you when you leave. Gazebos take up other people’s camping space and usually get trashed – please don’t bring one.

Love the farm Leave no trace

Don’t forget your ticket – you’ll need to show it at the turnstiles to get in.

Only bring what you can afford to lose. There is no way you can make a tent secure.

Remember when packing that glass is not allowed on site

You will have to carry all your stuff some distance - twice - so travel light. Everything you need is on site – you can even buy tents.

Bring warm & waterproof clothing, (ponchos are lightweight and a great way to keep dry) a pair of decent walking shoes/boots, plenty of dry socks to change into if your feet get wet, sun-cream, wet wipes and a torch to help you to manage the uneven tracks and avoid those tricky guy-ropes at night.

You can eat really well and cheaply on site. Ditch the food & cooking equipment.

Only bring the bank cards you need for the ATMs on site, and leave a note of their numbers at home to make cancellation easier, if they get lost. Only carry a small amount of cash.

Only bring the keys that you are likely to be using, in case they get lost.

Tickets are non-refundable, and cannot be transferred to another name, so if you are concerned you may be unable to attend the Festival, you may wish to consider insuring your ticket. Cancellation insurance is available to purchase for £3.90 per ticket when booking tickets, either online or when you call the SeeTickets booking line; or you may already be covered by your own personal insurance.

Remember to bring your vital medications and keep them with you.

Please don’t bring your own sound system - the Festival has music pretty well covered. The campsites are patrolled for rogue systems, which will be confiscated.

Getting There

Travelling by public transport saves you money, reduces pollution, is stress-free, sociable and helps you to beat the queues. Seriously consider leaving your car at home. Please!!

Gates open from 8.00am Wednesday 24th June. Please don’t come before then as you are likely to be moved on by local police.

The last part of the journey can be the longest – be ready for queues and bring plenty of water and make use of the loo before you get close to the Festival.

Look after you ticket, they’re like gold-dust. In the past there have been thefts of tickets at motorway services some distance from the Festival.

Avoid driving through Pilton village - please respect local residents’ land and property, and don’t trespass or maraud in the village.

If you use Satnav, coming from Glastonbury town and the M5 the postcode of the west carparks is BA6 8NE, and from the A303/ A37 the postcode of the east carparks is BA4 6TA. When you get close to the site follow the car park signs and the directions of stewards.

Last minute booze-buying in Pilton is not an option - neither the village shop nor the pub sell takeaways.

Getting In

Get friends’ tickets to them before they leave for the Festival; it is utterly impossible to meet at the gates. If you have to meet up, do it at least 5 miles away from the Festival.

Be prepared to show your ticket for inspection at car park entrances or when catching public transport or the shuttle bus, BUT do not give your ticket to anyone, even if they look like stewards, until you reach the tent in front of the turnstiles where they check your ticket photo.

Keep your ticket safe even once you are on site, otherwise you will not be able to re-enter the Festival if you leave. And that includes going to and from car parks and the caravan and campervan fields. Follow the directions of the gate stewards about passouts. On returning, there are dedicated lanes at each gate for festival goers who have already been on site - separate from those arriving for the first time, so make sure you are in the right lane.

The souvenir programme is free with your ticket – pick it up when you enter, along with your biodegrabable tent pegs and the handy Guardian Guide.

Children

Children aged 12 and under have free entry if accompanied by an adult.

Campsite Stewards will direct you to quieter or less dense places to camp. There are two Family Camping Fields, one on the west of the site and one on the east.

Making Camp

Some camping fields are very busy and fill up quickly. If you want quiet – to sleep - stewards at the gates will advise you where to go. There is usually more camping space to the west of the site near the Park. If a field is full, stewards will direct you to an alternative camp site.

Note where you camp in relation to a numbered Fire Point or other fixed point or mark your camp with a flag. It can be a nightmare to find your tent without a recognisable landmark.

Say hello to your neighbours to build a community feeling and provide greater security. Look after each other and if someone is feeling ill, get help.

Remember that tents are very vulnerable, even zipped up. Padlocks scream “I have something worth nicking in here”.

Thieving gits will find it harder if you take some basic precautions. Postcode your valuables. UV pens are available at Property Lock-ups.

Be inventive about hiding your money – spread it around. Some people put money and mobile phones in their wellies whilst walking around -just be careful if you get stuck in the mud!

Property Lock-ups

If you’re worried about something being stolen, don’t leave it in your tent. Essential valuables can be left at the free 24-hour Property Lock-ups which are prominent around the site. They also provide free loo rolls and soap. They are marked on Festival maps with the keyhole logo.

If you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of crime, report it to the Police HQ where you can get a crime record for insurance purposes. If you have information about a crime, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Light My Fire

The end of the Festival is usually marked by a spectacular fire show in the Circus Field. Hopefully nothing else will go up in flames at the Festival!

Candles are dangerous and useless in a field; use torches in and around tents.

Only buy wax flares from authorised festival traders – check their accreditation.

Light fires away from tents, using the wood supplied – never from hedges and trees.

Don’t dig fire holes. A cow with a broken leg wouldn’t thank you - if it could speak!

Watch out for flying embers and sparks – they can start a fire even from distance.

Don’t burn plastic, please. Quite apart from anything else it stinks.

NEVER use petrol or paraffin to start or revive a fire.

If you cook, do it outside.

Always change camping gas outside tents – even if it is raining.

When changing gas cylinders, ensure gas tap is in the ‘off’ position, otherwise the gas will ignite when the cylinder is pierced and you could get badly burned.

Campsite wardens & security teams look out for fires, accidents and risky situations.

Should you discover a fire, raise the alarm, check out people nearby are OK, and tell your nearest campsite warden about the problem. Immediately!

The legislation about not smoking inside in public places applies in tented venues on site - just as much as it does in your favourite club. You will help our fire stewards by keeping to the law!

Show Me the Money

The five NatWest Cash Machines near the farmhouse are open 24 hours a day from Thursday 10am to Monday 12 noon, accepting all major debit and credit cards. The Bank does not charge for their cash machine services.

24-hour ATMs are also situated near the Park Home Ground Medical Centre, near the John Peel Stage, and on the walkway between the Jazz World Stage and the Other Stage. These make a small transaction charge of £2.

Get cash with a friend for company and security – and expect to queue.

3000’s a Crowd

As people move between the stages, particularly in bad weather conditions, gridlock can occur. If a swelling crowd develops, avoid adding to it. Chill, sit down, relax, and listen for announcements offering alternative routes. Be patient! Glastonbury is an unhurried experience.

Getting Around

The Festival covers a massive 1,500 acres. Not counting endless distractions, or baggage, it takes at least an hour to walk across the site. If it is muddy, or you have mobility difficulties, it will take even longer. And that’s in daylight and sober.

Disorientation easily sets in – not only in children. The surroundings change dramatically after sunset, when more tents arrive and crowds gather.

Arrange to meet friends at the Meeting Point or a quiet place – it’s impossible to meet at one of the main stages. ‘Time’ becomes a vague concept at the Festival. Be prepared to wait.

Getting in Touch

Use your mobile phone to keep in touch with friends – and keep that phone safe. Think of the hassle you would have if you lost it, or it was stolen. Look after it.

Mobile phone providers have transmitters on site to meet the demand. The Orange Chill n Charge tent can recharge most phones whatever network you are on, and will help Orange customers with any questions.

Information Points

Information Points bulge with things you didn't realise you needed to know. They can give you directions, maps, transport details, local town and Festival information. They will post cards home, take in lost property, offer help and support, handle complaints/compliments, provide recharging for disabled peoples' wheelchairs, toilet rolls, recycling bags, suncream and condoms – and all of that is free!

You can buy programmes and they offer an electronic mobile phone credit top-up.

If you get lost, or lose track of your friends, try leaving a message at any (or all) of the six Information Points, and/or with Worthy FM (87.7 FM). The Information Point beside the Meeting Point offers a 24 hour service.

The only public payphones are at Information Points.

The free ‘Q Daily’ can be picked up at any Information Point, Friday to Sunday. From 8.00am on Monday, Information Points sell the souvenir ‘Q Glastonbury: The Ultimate Review’ for £3.00. It is also available on Monday morning at the exits from the site.

Looking After Number One

The moment you enter the Festival site, you do not become an indestructible being, capable of anything. So look after yourself, don’t overdo it and, most importantly, look out for others.

Without wanting to sound like your mum, please wash your hands regularly. There is more chance of catching an infection in a field than at home.

The Festival takes place on uneven farmland, with stone tacks and metal trackways. Take care, especially at night – you can’t dance with a twisted ankle. Strong shoes for walking may not be fashionable, but are necessary – just as a torch is after dark.

Please do not climb any trees on site – it’s dangerous and may damage the tree.

There’s lots of traffic on site. Give farm vehicles and trucks plenty of space to pass and don’t ride on vehicles.

Illegal drugs are no more legal on site, than off. There will be police on site. The Festival is not a good time to experiment with drugs. The crowds, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse.

Take a water bottle with you, especially when the sun is shining. You can fill it for free from tap points dotted around the Festival site. Don’t risk overheating and dehydration.

Drunkenness is, at best, annoying and antisocial. Drug/alcohol cocktails can be lethal.

Prolonged exposure to high volume noise can cause severe hearing damage.

Serious sunstroke, sunburn or cancer can be caused by the sun on unprotected skin.

You risk pregnancy and/or infection from unprotected sex.

Bar staff will ask for proof of age whenever a customer appears to be under 18 – so if you think there is a chance you may be asked, it is best to bring some photo ID. It’s down to you to prove you are over 18.

Antisocial and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated: ejection, possibly by the police, without return, will be the outcome.

Medical and Welfare

There are two Medical Centres, a pharmacy and two Welfare Centres – check out the map.

The Welfare Centres provide experienced, caring and confidential help for all kinds of practical and personal problems, as well as dealing with lost & found property.

Lost children are cared for in the Children’s Areas until 8pm daily, after which they are taken to Wagonshed Welfare, next to the farmhouse.

Green Fields offer a variety of alternative therapies.

Worthy Indeed

Glastonbury Festival prides itself on being a festival with a conscience, utilising local facilities and giving to many good causes. As well as the big donations to major charities, the Festival helps raise funds for many smaller organisations – many of whom provide staff and facilities on site. These range from local parent-teacher groups to others campaigning for a better world.

www.oxfam.org.uk

www.greenpeace.org.uk

www.wateraid.org.uk

Glastonbury Festival continues to actively support the work of environmental charities – whose message becomes more urgent each year. All festival-goers are encouraged to think green and improve our already successful recycling rates. The Festival aims to further reduce the amount of rubbish on site and to increase its recycling rates.

So please bag it & bin it – and recyclers will collect it.

This way you’ll enjoy a cleaner Festival and feel good about yourself in the process. And we still must remind you not to pee in the ditches and hedges, it’s bad for the wildlife, and makes the site dirtier for everyone, including you.

Getting to Glastonbury

By Bus

SeeTickets sell coach tickets – details from glastonbury@seetickets.com or 0844 412 4626. National Express will be providing dedicated services direct to the Glastonbury Festival site from over 50 destinations in the UK. To book your guaranteed seat, click www.nationalexpress.com/glastonbury or call 08717 81 81 81 (£1 telephone booking fee applies) or visit any National Express outlet. Tickets will be checked on boarding and travellers without tickets will be expelled from coaches well away from the site.

There are no local service buses running directly to the site.

National Express have a service from Bristol Bus Station at only £20 return. It is best to pre book on the National Express web site or call their ticket line, otherwise you may face delays if too many turn up on the day.

The Festival will run a bus service from Glastonbury town to the site, and back, on Wednesday and Thursday between 0700-2200, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 0700-0200 and on Monday between 0600-1900. The charge will be £3 single. (This price covers costs only and the service is non profit-making.)

By Rail

There are extra trains to Castle Cary station from where Festival ticket holders can catch the free coach shuttle to the Festival Bus Station. There will be no service buses from Bath rail station.

The free coach shuttle runs from Castle Cary Station from Wednesday morning to Monday evening, stopping overnight when trains are not running.

The Festival is operating a coach shuttle service from Bristol Temple Meads railway station. It runs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1000-1900 for £10 single and a return service on Sunday 12 noon to 2100 (to connect with last train) and Monday 0600 to 1900 again for £10 single.

Visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com

Train services are explained by National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

By Road

You will not get near the Festival without your vehicle routing sticker or car parking pass. Get it where you bought your ticket, quoting your reference number or postcode. Put the sticker on the windscreen well before you reach the Festival site. It costs £10 to park your car or £65 for a campervan/caravan.

Hook up with others travelling to the Festival. Reduce congestion and pollution.

Check out the car-sharing website www.liftshare.com

Plan your journeys in advance – it could save you hours. Remember – tiredness kills!

The worst time to arrive by car is between 12 noon and 6pm on either Wednesday and Thursday. Best to plan to arrive either earlier or later in the day.

The worst time to leave by car is on Monday between 9am and 5pm when there can be long delays of between 7 and 9 hours to leave the car parks. Beat the queues by leaving between 2am and 7am on Monday morning – if you can get up!!! The Festival is doing everything possible to reduce queuing but there is only so much capacity on the roads. If you need to be anywhere on Monday make sure you leave early – and ensure you have plenty of water and food as you queue.

Make sure you are OK to drive. Drug driving is not a safe trip. When did you last have a drink? You see more police around the site than you do for the rest of the year. Do not risk it! Wait until you are OK - you know it makes sense.

Entrances

There are four main entrances for cars, depending upon where you are coming from. Follow the P signs to get to the nearest available parking spaces.

If you have a choice, use the Blue Route (approach from the A303, then the A37), where there is more parking space and less of a queue to get in and out of the site.

Car Parks

The Festival car parks are all ticket-only with no alternative car parking nearby. The car parks just outside the security fence are vast, so each field is numbered to help you remember where your car is parked.

If you arrive on site, and your car needs attention, deal with it early so it will be ready when you need to leave. On Monday all recovery services are very busy. Make use of the RAC Festival rate of £50 (limited Recovery) call on 07902 906 413.

Using unofficial car-parking threatens the future of the Festival.

Absolutely no sleeping, camping or fires are allowed in the car parks.

Don't park on verges or in gateways or private roads - you will be towed away by the Police, incurring expense and great inconvenience.

Avoid leaving your car unlocked as you either load or unload, and leave nothing visible inside (even food and drink).

Leave the glove compartment open and conspicuously empty. Don’t invite car crime.

On the Monday the east car parks empty onto the Blue route, and move much more quickly than the west car park, which empties onto the A 361 through Glastonbury and can have several hours of delays.

Lost your car keys? There is a locksmith in the compound by Yellow Gate.

There is a free, secure compound for motorbikes and pushbikes at Red Gate.

Campervans/Caravans

Caravans, trailer tents and campervans are only admitted to special secure fields along Blue Route (off the A37). The website www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk has a section under “Information” explaining which vehicles can use these fields and how to get access to them.

Drop-off, Pick-up Point

The drop and collect point will be signed, so follow the signs and miss the traffic jams on the way in and out. A free bus service will take you to and from the drop and collect point 24 hours a day direct to the Festival bus station next to Gate A. Get dropped off here to save walking miles or getting run over in the dark, and so you know where to get picked up from. Be aware local roads will be closed off on Monday for traffic leaving the Festival. Those picking you up will not be able to get near to the site, so please use the drop and collect point - it makes sense.

Directions to Car Parks

From London: M3 then A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the North East: A1 or M1, M25 to M3 (Junction 12), then A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the Midlands: Preferably M40 and A34 to A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the North West: M6, M5 to A39 (Junction 23) then A361. (Sat Nav BA6 8NE)

From Wales: M4, M5 to A39 (as above) (Sat Nav BA6 8NE)

From the West Country: A37 or A361(Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

Traffic News

Check out the Festival website to use the police hotlink for the latest travel information. Once within range (about 25 miles) tune into Worthy FM on 87.7 FM – it’s good for traffic news both when you arrive and when you leave - and listen in to the morning show each day to find out what is happening on site.

By Foot

Make yourself visible when walking along public roads in the dark. Wear something bright! Try not to walk to the site - get dropped at the drop and collect point.

Disabled Access

People with disabilities should follow the signs to Yellow Gate, off the A361, adjacent to Red (Main) Gate. Please display your national blue disabled sticker on your vehicle when you near the Festival site.

There is dedicated parking for people with disabilities, as well as a stewarded camping area, with transport between the two. If you end up in other car parks ask the marshals to check if there is space in the reserve area, and to direct you.

Due to the high demand, disabled facilities are only available to those who are registered disabled. Access to the campsite is only guaranteed by prior application – this includes campervan and caravan access for people with disabilities.

If you require details of facilities for the disabled, please call 01749 899654 or email disabledenquiries@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

The Small Print

Only food & alcohol for personal consumption can be brought into the site. Please don’t bring any glass bottles. They are dangerous and will be confiscated. Do not to bring anything that would cause unnecessary rubbish. You may be searched at the entrance for any items that may be used in an illegal or offensive manner - which will be confiscated. Persons suspected of carrying out illegal and/or offensive activities onsite may also be searched and face eviction. No portable laser equipment or pens are permitted. No animals (except registered guide dogs), sound systems, generators, kites or sky lanterns, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares, large fires or burning of plastic will be allowed on site. Persons using fireworks will be ejected from site and materials confiscated. No unauthorised tape recorders, professional film or video equipment are allowed onsite. Cameras for personal use are welcome. Ticket holders consent to the filming and sound recording of themselves as part of the audience. CCTV will be used on site. Images will be monitored for the purposes of public safety, crowd management and crime prevention. For further information, contact Site Office, Worthy Farm, Pilton, BA4 4BY. The cost of the ticket includes camping (apart from Sunday tickets), musical and non-musical performances.

Enough advice already - have a wild and unforgettable time.

Fine Guide Map 2009

The Fine Guide Map will be sent to everyone attending the Festival. Please click on the image below to view a larger version of the 2009 map.

[Paul ™]

What size tent should I bring?

[MikeyB37]

What size tent should I bring?

[Paul ™]

You can get 6 people into a 2 man tent if you're all really good friends

[Tim2006]

for starters lets kick off with the fine guide.

The Festival is open from 8.00 am, Wednesday, 24th June until 5.00pm, Monday 29th June. Please do not come before 8.00am on Wednesday.

The 1,000-acre site at Worthy Farm is on the edge of Pilton village, off the A361 between Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury. It’s a hilly dairy farm with rough tracks and uneven walkways which can be difficult to get about on, particularly in bad weather or if you have any mobility difficulties.

This guide will help you make the most of the Festival experience – and avoid potential pitfalls. And whether you’re an old hand or a festival virgin there’s even more useful stuff on the official website at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

To view the Fine Guide map for 2009, please click here.

Getting Ready

Everyone’s got their own idea of what to bring to Glastonbury but, when packing, remember, less is best. Help us by only bringing essentials – and taking them all away with you when you leave. Gazebos take up other people’s camping space and usually get trashed – please don’t bring one.

Love the farm Leave no trace

Don’t forget your ticket – you’ll need to show it at the turnstiles to get in.

Only bring what you can afford to lose. There is no way you can make a tent secure.

Remember when packing that glass is not allowed on site

You will have to carry all your stuff some distance - twice - so travel light. Everything you need is on site – you can even buy tents.

Bring warm & waterproof clothing, (ponchos are lightweight and a great way to keep dry) a pair of decent walking shoes/boots, plenty of dry socks to change into if your feet get wet, sun-cream, wet wipes and a torch to help you to manage the uneven tracks and avoid those tricky guy-ropes at night.

You can eat really well and cheaply on site. Ditch the food & cooking equipment.

Only bring the bank cards you need for the ATMs on site, and leave a note of their numbers at home to make cancellation easier, if they get lost. Only carry a small amount of cash.

Only bring the keys that you are likely to be using, in case they get lost.

Tickets are non-refundable, and cannot be transferred to another name, so if you are concerned you may be unable to attend the Festival, you may wish to consider insuring your ticket. Cancellation insurance is available to purchase for £3.90 per ticket when booking tickets, either online or when you call the SeeTickets booking line; or you may already be covered by your own personal insurance.

Remember to bring your vital medications and keep them with you.

Please don’t bring your own sound system - the Festival has music pretty well covered. The campsites are patrolled for rogue systems, which will be confiscated.

Getting There

Travelling by public transport saves you money, reduces pollution, is stress-free, sociable and helps you to beat the queues. Seriously consider leaving your car at home. Please!!

Gates open from 8.00am Wednesday 24th June. Please don’t come before then as you are likely to be moved on by local police.

The last part of the journey can be the longest – be ready for queues and bring plenty of water and make use of the loo before you get close to the Festival.

Look after you ticket, they’re like gold-dust. In the past there have been thefts of tickets at motorway services some distance from the Festival.

Avoid driving through Pilton village - please respect local residents’ land and property, and don’t trespass or maraud in the village.

If you use Satnav, coming from Glastonbury town and the M5 the postcode of the west carparks is BA6 8NE, and from the A303/ A37 the postcode of the east carparks is BA4 6TA. When you get close to the site follow the car park signs and the directions of stewards.

Last minute booze-buying in Pilton is not an option - neither the village shop nor the pub sell takeaways.

Getting In

Get friends’ tickets to them before they leave for the Festival; it is utterly impossible to meet at the gates. If you have to meet up, do it at least 5 miles away from the Festival.

Be prepared to show your ticket for inspection at car park entrances or when catching public transport or the shuttle bus, BUT do not give your ticket to anyone, even if they look like stewards, until you reach the tent in front of the turnstiles where they check your ticket photo.

Keep your ticket safe even once you are on site, otherwise you will not be able to re-enter the Festival if you leave. And that includes going to and from car parks and the caravan and campervan fields. Follow the directions of the gate stewards about passouts. On returning, there are dedicated lanes at each gate for festival goers who have already been on site - separate from those arriving for the first time, so make sure you are in the right lane.

The souvenir programme is free with your ticket – pick it up when you enter, along with your biodegrabable tent pegs and the handy Guardian Guide.

Children

Children aged 12 and under have free entry if accompanied by an adult.

Campsite Stewards will direct you to quieter or less dense places to camp. There are two Family Camping Fields, one on the west of the site and one on the east.

Making Camp

Some camping fields are very busy and fill up quickly. If you want quiet – to sleep - stewards at the gates will advise you where to go. There is usually more camping space to the west of the site near the Park. If a field is full, stewards will direct you to an alternative camp site.

Note where you camp in relation to a numbered Fire Point or other fixed point or mark your camp with a flag. It can be a nightmare to find your tent without a recognisable landmark.

Say hello to your neighbours to build a community feeling and provide greater security. Look after each other and if someone is feeling ill, get help.

Remember that tents are very vulnerable, even zipped up. Padlocks scream “I have something worth nicking in here”.

Thieving gits will find it harder if you take some basic precautions. Postcode your valuables. UV pens are available at Property Lock-ups.

Be inventive about hiding your money – spread it around. Some people put money and mobile phones in their wellies whilst walking around -just be careful if you get stuck in the mud!

Property Lock-ups

If you’re worried about something being stolen, don’t leave it in your tent. Essential valuables can be left at the free 24-hour Property Lock-ups which are prominent around the site. They also provide free loo rolls and soap. They are marked on Festival maps with the keyhole logo.

If you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of crime, report it to the Police HQ where you can get a crime record for insurance purposes. If you have information about a crime, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Light My Fire

The end of the Festival is usually marked by a spectacular fire show in the Circus Field. Hopefully nothing else will go up in flames at the Festival!

Candles are dangerous and useless in a field; use torches in and around tents.

Only buy wax flares from authorised festival traders – check their accreditation.

Light fires away from tents, using the wood supplied – never from hedges and trees.

Don’t dig fire holes. A cow with a broken leg wouldn’t thank you - if it could speak!

Watch out for flying embers and sparks – they can start a fire even from distance.

Don’t burn plastic, please. Quite apart from anything else it stinks.

NEVER use petrol or paraffin to start or revive a fire.

If you cook, do it outside.

Always change camping gas outside tents – even if it is raining.

When changing gas cylinders, ensure gas tap is in the ‘off’ position, otherwise the gas will ignite when the cylinder is pierced and you could get badly burned.

Campsite wardens & security teams look out for fires, accidents and risky situations.

Should you discover a fire, raise the alarm, check out people nearby are OK, and tell your nearest campsite warden about the problem. Immediately!

The legislation about not smoking inside in public places applies in tented venues on site - just as much as it does in your favourite club. You will help our fire stewards by keeping to the law!

Show Me the Money

The five NatWest Cash Machines near the farmhouse are open 24 hours a day from Thursday 10am to Monday 12 noon, accepting all major debit and credit cards. The Bank does not charge for their cash machine services.

24-hour ATMs are also situated near the Park Home Ground Medical Centre, near the John Peel Stage, and on the walkway between the Jazz World Stage and the Other Stage. These make a small transaction charge of £2.

Get cash with a friend for company and security – and expect to queue.

3000’s a Crowd

As people move between the stages, particularly in bad weather conditions, gridlock can occur. If a swelling crowd develops, avoid adding to it. Chill, sit down, relax, and listen for announcements offering alternative routes. Be patient! Glastonbury is an unhurried experience.

Getting Around

The Festival covers a massive 1,500 acres. Not counting endless distractions, or baggage, it takes at least an hour to walk across the site. If it is muddy, or you have mobility difficulties, it will take even longer. And that’s in daylight and sober.

Disorientation easily sets in – not only in children. The surroundings change dramatically after sunset, when more tents arrive and crowds gather.

Arrange to meet friends at the Meeting Point or a quiet place – it’s impossible to meet at one of the main stages. ‘Time’ becomes a vague concept at the Festival. Be prepared to wait.

Getting in Touch

Use your mobile phone to keep in touch with friends – and keep that phone safe. Think of the hassle you would have if you lost it, or it was stolen. Look after it.

Mobile phone providers have transmitters on site to meet the demand. The Orange Chill n Charge tent can recharge most phones whatever network you are on, and will help Orange customers with any questions.

Information Points

Information Points bulge with things you didn't realise you needed to know. They can give you directions, maps, transport details, local town and Festival information. They will post cards home, take in lost property, offer help and support, handle complaints/compliments, provide recharging for disabled peoples' wheelchairs, toilet rolls, recycling bags, suncream and condoms – and all of that is free!

You can buy programmes and they offer an electronic mobile phone credit top-up.

If you get lost, or lose track of your friends, try leaving a message at any (or all) of the six Information Points, and/or with Worthy FM (87.7 FM). The Information Point beside the Meeting Point offers a 24 hour service.

The only public payphones are at Information Points.

The free ‘Q Daily’ can be picked up at any Information Point, Friday to Sunday. From 8.00am on Monday, Information Points sell the souvenir ‘Q Glastonbury: The Ultimate Review’ for £3.00. It is also available on Monday morning at the exits from the site.

Looking After Number One

The moment you enter the Festival site, you do not become an indestructible being, capable of anything. So look after yourself, don’t overdo it and, most importantly, look out for others.

Without wanting to sound like your mum, please wash your hands regularly. There is more chance of catching an infection in a field than at home.

The Festival takes place on uneven farmland, with stone tacks and metal trackways. Take care, especially at night – you can’t dance with a twisted ankle. Strong shoes for walking may not be fashionable, but are necessary – just as a torch is after dark.

Please do not climb any trees on site – it’s dangerous and may damage the tree.

There’s lots of traffic on site. Give farm vehicles and trucks plenty of space to pass and don’t ride on vehicles.

Illegal drugs are no more legal on site, than off. There will be police on site. The Festival is not a good time to experiment with drugs. The crowds, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse.

Take a water bottle with you, especially when the sun is shining. You can fill it for free from tap points dotted around the Festival site. Don’t risk overheating and dehydration.

Drunkenness is, at best, annoying and antisocial. Drug/alcohol cocktails can be lethal.

Prolonged exposure to high volume noise can cause severe hearing damage.

Serious sunstroke, sunburn or cancer can be caused by the sun on unprotected skin.

You risk pregnancy and/or infection from unprotected sex.

Bar staff will ask for proof of age whenever a customer appears to be under 18 – so if you think there is a chance you may be asked, it is best to bring some photo ID. It’s down to you to prove you are over 18.

Antisocial and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated: ejection, possibly by the police, without return, will be the outcome.

Medical and Welfare

There are two Medical Centres, a pharmacy and two Welfare Centres – check out the map.

The Welfare Centres provide experienced, caring and confidential help for all kinds of practical and personal problems, as well as dealing with lost & found property.

Lost children are cared for in the Children’s Areas until 8pm daily, after which they are taken to Wagonshed Welfare, next to the farmhouse.

Green Fields offer a variety of alternative therapies.

Worthy Indeed

Glastonbury Festival prides itself on being a festival with a conscience, utilising local facilities and giving to many good causes. As well as the big donations to major charities, the Festival helps raise funds for many smaller organisations – many of whom provide staff and facilities on site. These range from local parent-teacher groups to others campaigning for a better world.

www.oxfam.org.uk

www.greenpeace.org.uk

www.wateraid.org.uk

Glastonbury Festival continues to actively support the work of environmental charities – whose message becomes more urgent each year. All festival-goers are encouraged to think green and improve our already successful recycling rates. The Festival aims to further reduce the amount of rubbish on site and to increase its recycling rates.

So please bag it & bin it – and recyclers will collect it.

This way you’ll enjoy a cleaner Festival and feel good about yourself in the process. And we still must remind you not to pee in the ditches and hedges, it’s bad for the wildlife, and makes the site dirtier for everyone, including you.

Getting to Glastonbury

By Bus

SeeTickets sell coach tickets – details from glastonbury@seetickets.com or 0844 412 4626. National Express will be providing dedicated services direct to the Glastonbury Festival site from over 50 destinations in the UK. To book your guaranteed seat, click www.nationalexpress.com/glastonbury or call 08717 81 81 81 (£1 telephone booking fee applies) or visit any National Express outlet. Tickets will be checked on boarding and travellers without tickets will be expelled from coaches well away from the site.

There are no local service buses running directly to the site.

National Express have a service from Bristol Bus Station at only £20 return. It is best to pre book on the National Express web site or call their ticket line, otherwise you may face delays if too many turn up on the day.

The Festival will run a bus service from Glastonbury town to the site, and back, on Wednesday and Thursday between 0700-2200, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 0700-0200 and on Monday between 0600-1900. The charge will be £3 single. (This price covers costs only and the service is non profit-making.)

By Rail

There are extra trains to Castle Cary station from where Festival ticket holders can catch the free coach shuttle to the Festival Bus Station. There will be no service buses from Bath rail station.

The free coach shuttle runs from Castle Cary Station from Wednesday morning to Monday evening, stopping overnight when trains are not running.

The Festival is operating a coach shuttle service from Bristol Temple Meads railway station. It runs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1000-1900 for £10 single and a return service on Sunday 12 noon to 2100 (to connect with last train) and Monday 0600 to 1900 again for £10 single.

Visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com

Train services are explained by National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

By Road

You will not get near the Festival without your vehicle routing sticker or car parking pass. Get it where you bought your ticket, quoting your reference number or postcode. Put the sticker on the windscreen well before you reach the Festival site. It costs £10 to park your car or £65 for a campervan/caravan.

Hook up with others travelling to the Festival. Reduce congestion and pollution.

Check out the car-sharing website www.liftshare.com

Plan your journeys in advance – it could save you hours. Remember – tiredness kills!

The worst time to arrive by car is between 12 noon and 6pm on either Wednesday and Thursday. Best to plan to arrive either earlier or later in the day.

The worst time to leave by car is on Monday between 9am and 5pm when there can be long delays of between 7 and 9 hours to leave the car parks. Beat the queues by leaving between 2am and 7am on Monday morning – if you can get up!!! The Festival is doing everything possible to reduce queuing but there is only so much capacity on the roads. If you need to be anywhere on Monday make sure you leave early – and ensure you have plenty of water and food as you queue.

Make sure you are OK to drive. Drug driving is not a safe trip. When did you last have a drink? You see more police around the site than you do for the rest of the year. Do not risk it! Wait until you are OK - you know it makes sense.

Entrances

There are four main entrances for cars, depending upon where you are coming from. Follow the P signs to get to the nearest available parking spaces.

If you have a choice, use the Blue Route (approach from the A303, then the A37), where there is more parking space and less of a queue to get in and out of the site.

Car Parks

The Festival car parks are all ticket-only with no alternative car parking nearby. The car parks just outside the security fence are vast, so each field is numbered to help you remember where your car is parked.

If you arrive on site, and your car needs attention, deal with it early so it will be ready when you need to leave. On Monday all recovery services are very busy. Make use of the RAC Festival rate of £50 (limited Recovery) call on 07902 906 413.

Using unofficial car-parking threatens the future of the Festival.

Absolutely no sleeping, camping or fires are allowed in the car parks.

Don't park on verges or in gateways or private roads - you will be towed away by the Police, incurring expense and great inconvenience.

Avoid leaving your car unlocked as you either load or unload, and leave nothing visible inside (even food and drink).

Leave the glove compartment open and conspicuously empty. Don’t invite car crime.

On the Monday the east car parks empty onto the Blue route, and move much more quickly than the west car park, which empties onto the A 361 through Glastonbury and can have several hours of delays.

Lost your car keys? There is a locksmith in the compound by Yellow Gate.

There is a free, secure compound for motorbikes and pushbikes at Red Gate.

Campervans/Caravans

Caravans, trailer tents and campervans are only admitted to special secure fields along Blue Route (off the A37). The website www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk has a section under “Information” explaining which vehicles can use these fields and how to get access to them.

Drop-off, Pick-up Point

The drop and collect point will be signed, so follow the signs and miss the traffic jams on the way in and out. A free bus service will take you to and from the drop and collect point 24 hours a day direct to the Festival bus station next to Gate A. Get dropped off here to save walking miles or getting run over in the dark, and so you know where to get picked up from. Be aware local roads will be closed off on Monday for traffic leaving the Festival. Those picking you up will not be able to get near to the site, so please use the drop and collect point - it makes sense.

Directions to Car Parks

From London: M3 then A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the North East: A1 or M1, M25 to M3 (Junction 12), then A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the Midlands: Preferably M40 and A34 to A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the North West: M6, M5 to A39 (Junction 23) then A361. (Sat Nav BA6 8NE)

From Wales: M4, M5 to A39 (as above) (Sat Nav BA6 8NE)

From the West Country: A37 or A361(Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

Traffic News

Check out the Festival website to use the police hotlink for the latest travel information. Once within range (about 25 miles) tune into Worthy FM on 87.7 FM – it’s good for traffic news both when you arrive and when you leave - and listen in to the morning show each day to find out what is happening on site.

By Foot

Make yourself visible when walking along public roads in the dark. Wear something bright! Try not to walk to the site - get dropped at the drop and collect point.

Disabled Access

People with disabilities should follow the signs to Yellow Gate, off the A361, adjacent to Red (Main) Gate. Please display your national blue disabled sticker on your vehicle when you near the Festival site.

There is dedicated parking for people with disabilities, as well as a stewarded camping area, with transport between the two. If you end up in other car parks ask the marshals to check if there is space in the reserve area, and to direct you.

Due to the high demand, disabled facilities are only available to those who are registered disabled. Access to the campsite is only guaranteed by prior application – this includes campervan and caravan access for people with disabilities.

If you require details of facilities for the disabled, please call 01749 899654 or email disabledenquiries@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

The Small Print

Only food & alcohol for personal consumption can be brought into the site. Please don’t bring any glass bottles. They are dangerous and will be confiscated. Do not to bring anything that would cause unnecessary rubbish. You may be searched at the entrance for any items that may be used in an illegal or offensive manner - which will be confiscated. Persons suspected of carrying out illegal and/or offensive activities onsite may also be searched and face eviction. No portable laser equipment or pens are permitted. No animals (except registered guide dogs), sound systems, generators, kites or sky lanterns, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares, large fires or burning of plastic will be allowed on site. Persons using fireworks will be ejected from site and materials confiscated. No unauthorised tape recorders, professional film or video equipment are allowed onsite. Cameras for personal use are welcome. Ticket holders consent to the filming and sound recording of themselves as part of the audience. CCTV will be used on site. Images will be monitored for the purposes of public safety, crowd management and crime prevention. For further information, contact Site Office, Worthy Farm, Pilton, BA4 4BY. The cost of the ticket includes camping (apart from Sunday tickets), musical and non-musical performances.

Enough advice already - have a wild and unforgettable time.

Fine Guide Map 2009

The Fine Guide Map will be sent to everyone attending the Festival. Please click on the image below to view a larger version of the 2009 map.

Edited March 22, 2009 by Tim2006

[DaveMac]

...or just peruse the Glastonbury website at your leisure.

Edited March 22, 2009 by DaveMac

[CrunchyFrog]

[greenfairy43]

What time does the arena open?

[Messy]

...or just peruse the Glastonbury website at your leisure.

[glasto_mongrel_2008]

I'm six years old, will I need I.D to buy alcohol from the stalls? and is it easy to smuggle into the arena?

[BlackHole2006]

I think mike99 is becoming incredibly annoying. Stop copying and pasting shit from NME.COM or any other websites, it wastes peoples time and is bloody annoying.

A simple "According to nme [insert band name here] will be playing" will do, not copying and pasting the whole article!

I've got nothing against you it's just a bit annoying that's all.

Cheers,

BlackHole2006

[mike99]

I think mike99 is becoming incredibly annoying. Stop copying and pasting shit from NME.COM or any other websites, it wastes peoples time and is bloody annoying.

A simple "According to nme [insert band name here] will be playing" will do, not copying and pasting the whole article!

I've got nothing against you it's just a bit annoying that's all.

Cheers,

BlackHole2006

[BlackHole2006]

Sorry if i annoy its not intended

[Tim2006]

Did you really have to quote all that?

[Kitty Moogle]

Alternately see the excellent GlastoEarth FAQ here which has lots of useful information for the Glasto experience

[titch juicy]

for starters lets kick off with the fine guide.

The Festival is open from 8.00 am, Wednesday, 24th June until 5.00pm, Monday 29th June. Please do not come before 8.00am on Wednesday.

The 1,000-acre site at Worthy Farm is on the edge of Pilton village, off the A361 between Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury. It’s a hilly dairy farm with rough tracks and uneven walkways which can be difficult to get about on, particularly in bad weather or if you have any mobility difficulties.

This guide will help you make the most of the Festival experience – and avoid potential pitfalls. And whether you’re an old hand or a festival virgin there’s even more useful stuff on the official website at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.

To view the Fine Guide map for 2009, please click here.

Getting Ready

Everyone’s got their own idea of what to bring to Glastonbury but, when packing, remember, less is best. Help us by only bringing essentials – and taking them all away with you when you leave. Gazebos take up other people’s camping space and usually get trashed – please don’t bring one.

Love the farm Leave no trace

Don’t forget your ticket – you’ll need to show it at the turnstiles to get in.

Only bring what you can afford to lose. There is no way you can make a tent secure.

Remember when packing that glass is not allowed on site

You will have to carry all your stuff some distance - twice - so travel light. Everything you need is on site – you can even buy tents.

Bring warm & waterproof clothing, (ponchos are lightweight and a great way to keep dry) a pair of decent walking shoes/boots, plenty of dry socks to change into if your feet get wet, sun-cream, wet wipes and a torch to help you to manage the uneven tracks and avoid those tricky guy-ropes at night.

You can eat really well and cheaply on site. Ditch the food & cooking equipment.

Only bring the bank cards you need for the ATMs on site, and leave a note of their numbers at home to make cancellation easier, if they get lost. Only carry a small amount of cash.

Only bring the keys that you are likely to be using, in case they get lost.

Tickets are non-refundable, and cannot be transferred to another name, so if you are concerned you may be unable to attend the Festival, you may wish to consider insuring your ticket. Cancellation insurance is available to purchase for £3.90 per ticket when booking tickets, either online or when you call the SeeTickets booking line; or you may already be covered by your own personal insurance.

Remember to bring your vital medications and keep them with you.

Please don’t bring your own sound system - the Festival has music pretty well covered. The campsites are patrolled for rogue systems, which will be confiscated.

Getting There

Travelling by public transport saves you money, reduces pollution, is stress-free, sociable and helps you to beat the queues. Seriously consider leaving your car at home. Please!!

Gates open from 8.00am Wednesday 24th June. Please don’t come before then as you are likely to be moved on by local police.

The last part of the journey can be the longest – be ready for queues and bring plenty of water and make use of the loo before you get close to the Festival.

Look after you ticket, they’re like gold-dust. In the past there have been thefts of tickets at motorway services some distance from the Festival.

Avoid driving through Pilton village - please respect local residents’ land and property, and don’t trespass or maraud in the village.

If you use Satnav, coming from Glastonbury town and the M5 the postcode of the west carparks is BA6 8NE, and from the A303/ A37 the postcode of the east carparks is BA4 6TA. When you get close to the site follow the car park signs and the directions of stewards.

Last minute booze-buying in Pilton is not an option - neither the village shop nor the pub sell takeaways.

Getting In

Get friends’ tickets to them before they leave for the Festival; it is utterly impossible to meet at the gates. If you have to meet up, do it at least 5 miles away from the Festival.

Be prepared to show your ticket for inspection at car park entrances or when catching public transport or the shuttle bus, BUT do not give your ticket to anyone, even if they look like stewards, until you reach the tent in front of the turnstiles where they check your ticket photo.

Keep your ticket safe even once you are on site, otherwise you will not be able to re-enter the Festival if you leave. And that includes going to and from car parks and the caravan and campervan fields. Follow the directions of the gate stewards about passouts. On returning, there are dedicated lanes at each gate for festival goers who have already been on site - separate from those arriving for the first time, so make sure you are in the right lane.

The souvenir programme is free with your ticket – pick it up when you enter, along with your biodegrabable tent pegs and the handy Guardian Guide.

Children

Children aged 12 and under have free entry if accompanied by an adult.

Campsite Stewards will direct you to quieter or less dense places to camp. There are two Family Camping Fields, one on the west of the site and one on the east.

Making Camp

Some camping fields are very busy and fill up quickly. If you want quiet – to sleep - stewards at the gates will advise you where to go. There is usually more camping space to the west of the site near the Park. If a field is full, stewards will direct you to an alternative camp site.

Note where you camp in relation to a numbered Fire Point or other fixed point or mark your camp with a flag. It can be a nightmare to find your tent without a recognisable landmark.

Say hello to your neighbours to build a community feeling and provide greater security. Look after each other and if someone is feeling ill, get help.

Remember that tents are very vulnerable, even zipped up. Padlocks scream “I have something worth nicking in here”.

Thieving gits will find it harder if you take some basic precautions. Postcode your valuables. UV pens are available at Property Lock-ups.

Be inventive about hiding your money – spread it around. Some people put money and mobile phones in their wellies whilst walking around -just be careful if you get stuck in the mud!

Property Lock-ups

If you’re worried about something being stolen, don’t leave it in your tent. Essential valuables can be left at the free 24-hour Property Lock-ups which are prominent around the site. They also provide free loo rolls and soap. They are marked on Festival maps with the keyhole logo.

If you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of crime, report it to the Police HQ where you can get a crime record for insurance purposes. If you have information about a crime, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Light My Fire

The end of the Festival is usually marked by a spectacular fire show in the Circus Field. Hopefully nothing else will go up in flames at the Festival!

Candles are dangerous and useless in a field; use torches in and around tents.

Only buy wax flares from authorised festival traders – check their accreditation.

Light fires away from tents, using the wood supplied – never from hedges and trees.

Don’t dig fire holes. A cow with a broken leg wouldn’t thank you - if it could speak!

Watch out for flying embers and sparks – they can start a fire even from distance.

Don’t burn plastic, please. Quite apart from anything else it stinks.

NEVER use petrol or paraffin to start or revive a fire.

If you cook, do it outside.

Always change camping gas outside tents – even if it is raining.

When changing gas cylinders, ensure gas tap is in the ‘off’ position, otherwise the gas will ignite when the cylinder is pierced and you could get badly burned.

Campsite wardens & security teams look out for fires, accidents and risky situations.

Should you discover a fire, raise the alarm, check out people nearby are OK, and tell your nearest campsite warden about the problem. Immediately!

The legislation about not smoking inside in public places applies in tented venues on site - just as much as it does in your favourite club. You will help our fire stewards by keeping to the law!

Show Me the Money

The five NatWest Cash Machines near the farmhouse are open 24 hours a day from Thursday 10am to Monday 12 noon, accepting all major debit and credit cards. The Bank does not charge for their cash machine services.

24-hour ATMs are also situated near the Park Home Ground Medical Centre, near the John Peel Stage, and on the walkway between the Jazz World Stage and the Other Stage. These make a small transaction charge of £2.

Get cash with a friend for company and security – and expect to queue.

3000’s a Crowd

As people move between the stages, particularly in bad weather conditions, gridlock can occur. If a swelling crowd develops, avoid adding to it. Chill, sit down, relax, and listen for announcements offering alternative routes. Be patient! Glastonbury is an unhurried experience.

Getting Around

The Festival covers a massive 1,500 acres. Not counting endless distractions, or baggage, it takes at least an hour to walk across the site. If it is muddy, or you have mobility difficulties, it will take even longer. And that’s in daylight and sober.

Disorientation easily sets in – not only in children. The surroundings change dramatically after sunset, when more tents arrive and crowds gather.

Arrange to meet friends at the Meeting Point or a quiet place – it’s impossible to meet at one of the main stages. ‘Time’ becomes a vague concept at the Festival. Be prepared to wait.

Getting in Touch

Use your mobile phone to keep in touch with friends – and keep that phone safe. Think of the hassle you would have if you lost it, or it was stolen. Look after it.

Mobile phone providers have transmitters on site to meet the demand. The Orange Chill n Charge tent can recharge most phones whatever network you are on, and will help Orange customers with any questions.

Information Points

Information Points bulge with things you didn't realise you needed to know. They can give you directions, maps, transport details, local town and Festival information. They will post cards home, take in lost property, offer help and support, handle complaints/compliments, provide recharging for disabled peoples' wheelchairs, toilet rolls, recycling bags, suncream and condoms – and all of that is free!

You can buy programmes and they offer an electronic mobile phone credit top-up.

If you get lost, or lose track of your friends, try leaving a message at any (or all) of the six Information Points, and/or with Worthy FM (87.7 FM). The Information Point beside the Meeting Point offers a 24 hour service.

The only public payphones are at Information Points.

The free ‘Q Daily’ can be picked up at any Information Point, Friday to Sunday. From 8.00am on Monday, Information Points sell the souvenir ‘Q Glastonbury: The Ultimate Review’ for £3.00. It is also available on Monday morning at the exits from the site.

Looking After Number One

The moment you enter the Festival site, you do not become an indestructible being, capable of anything. So look after yourself, don’t overdo it and, most importantly, look out for others.

Without wanting to sound like your mum, please wash your hands regularly. There is more chance of catching an infection in a field than at home.

The Festival takes place on uneven farmland, with stone tacks and metal trackways. Take care, especially at night – you can’t dance with a twisted ankle. Strong shoes for walking may not be fashionable, but are necessary – just as a torch is after dark.

Please do not climb any trees on site – it’s dangerous and may damage the tree.

There’s lots of traffic on site. Give farm vehicles and trucks plenty of space to pass and don’t ride on vehicles.

Illegal drugs are no more legal on site, than off. There will be police on site. The Festival is not a good time to experiment with drugs. The crowds, the noise and the sheer size of the place are likely to make any bad reaction much, much worse.

Take a water bottle with you, especially when the sun is shining. You can fill it for free from tap points dotted around the Festival site. Don’t risk overheating and dehydration.

Drunkenness is, at best, annoying and antisocial. Drug/alcohol cocktails can be lethal.

Prolonged exposure to high volume noise can cause severe hearing damage.

Serious sunstroke, sunburn or cancer can be caused by the sun on unprotected skin.

You risk pregnancy and/or infection from unprotected sex.

Bar staff will ask for proof of age whenever a customer appears to be under 18 – so if you think there is a chance you may be asked, it is best to bring some photo ID. It’s down to you to prove you are over 18.

Antisocial and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated: ejection, possibly by the police, without return, will be the outcome.

Medical and Welfare

There are two Medical Centres, a pharmacy and two Welfare Centres – check out the map.

The Welfare Centres provide experienced, caring and confidential help for all kinds of practical and personal problems, as well as dealing with lost & found property.

Lost children are cared for in the Children’s Areas until 8pm daily, after which they are taken to Wagonshed Welfare, next to the farmhouse.

Green Fields offer a variety of alternative therapies.

Worthy Indeed

Glastonbury Festival prides itself on being a festival with a conscience, utilising local facilities and giving to many good causes. As well as the big donations to major charities, the Festival helps raise funds for many smaller organisations – many of whom provide staff and facilities on site. These range from local parent-teacher groups to others campaigning for a better world.

www.oxfam.org.uk

www.greenpeace.org.uk

www.wateraid.org.uk

Glastonbury Festival continues to actively support the work of environmental charities – whose message becomes more urgent each year. All festival-goers are encouraged to think green and improve our already successful recycling rates. The Festival aims to further reduce the amount of rubbish on site and to increase its recycling rates.

So please bag it & bin it – and recyclers will collect it.

This way you’ll enjoy a cleaner Festival and feel good about yourself in the process. And we still must remind you not to pee in the ditches and hedges, it’s bad for the wildlife, and makes the site dirtier for everyone, including you.

Getting to Glastonbury

By Bus

SeeTickets sell coach tickets – details from glastonbury@seetickets.com or 0844 412 4626. National Express will be providing dedicated services direct to the Glastonbury Festival site from over 50 destinations in the UK. To book your guaranteed seat, click www.nationalexpress.com/glastonbury or call 08717 81 81 81 (£1 telephone booking fee applies) or visit any National Express outlet. Tickets will be checked on boarding and travellers without tickets will be expelled from coaches well away from the site.

There are no local service buses running directly to the site.

National Express have a service from Bristol Bus Station at only £20 return. It is best to pre book on the National Express web site or call their ticket line, otherwise you may face delays if too many turn up on the day.

The Festival will run a bus service from Glastonbury town to the site, and back, on Wednesday and Thursday between 0700-2200, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 0700-0200 and on Monday between 0600-1900. The charge will be £3 single. (This price covers costs only and the service is non profit-making.)

By Rail

There are extra trains to Castle Cary station from where Festival ticket holders can catch the free coach shuttle to the Festival Bus Station. There will be no service buses from Bath rail station.

The free coach shuttle runs from Castle Cary Station from Wednesday morning to Monday evening, stopping overnight when trains are not running.

The Festival is operating a coach shuttle service from Bristol Temple Meads railway station. It runs on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 1000-1900 for £10 single and a return service on Sunday 12 noon to 2100 (to connect with last train) and Monday 0600 to 1900 again for £10 single.

Visit www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com

Train services are explained by National Rail Enquiries on 08457 484950.

By Road

You will not get near the Festival without your vehicle routing sticker or car parking pass. Get it where you bought your ticket, quoting your reference number or postcode. Put the sticker on the windscreen well before you reach the Festival site. It costs £10 to park your car or £65 for a campervan/caravan.

Hook up with others travelling to the Festival. Reduce congestion and pollution.

Check out the car-sharing website www.liftshare.com

Plan your journeys in advance – it could save you hours. Remember – tiredness kills!

The worst time to arrive by car is between 12 noon and 6pm on either Wednesday and Thursday. Best to plan to arrive either earlier or later in the day.

The worst time to leave by car is on Monday between 9am and 5pm when there can be long delays of between 7 and 9 hours to leave the car parks. Beat the queues by leaving between 2am and 7am on Monday morning – if you can get up!!! The Festival is doing everything possible to reduce queuing but there is only so much capacity on the roads. If you need to be anywhere on Monday make sure you leave early – and ensure you have plenty of water and food as you queue.

Make sure you are OK to drive. Drug driving is not a safe trip. When did you last have a drink? You see more police around the site than you do for the rest of the year. Do not risk it! Wait until you are OK - you know it makes sense.

Entrances

There are four main entrances for cars, depending upon where you are coming from. Follow the P signs to get to the nearest available parking spaces.

If you have a choice, use the Blue Route (approach from the A303, then the A37), where there is more parking space and less of a queue to get in and out of the site.

Car Parks

The Festival car parks are all ticket-only with no alternative car parking nearby. The car parks just outside the security fence are vast, so each field is numbered to help you remember where your car is parked.

If you arrive on site, and your car needs attention, deal with it early so it will be ready when you need to leave. On Monday all recovery services are very busy. Make use of the RAC Festival rate of £50 (limited Recovery) call on 07902 906 413.

Using unofficial car-parking threatens the future of the Festival.

Absolutely no sleeping, camping or fires are allowed in the car parks.

Don't park on verges or in gateways or private roads - you will be towed away by the Police, incurring expense and great inconvenience.

Avoid leaving your car unlocked as you either load or unload, and leave nothing visible inside (even food and drink).

Leave the glove compartment open and conspicuously empty. Don’t invite car crime.

On the Monday the east car parks empty onto the Blue route, and move much more quickly than the west car park, which empties onto the A 361 through Glastonbury and can have several hours of delays.

Lost your car keys? There is a locksmith in the compound by Yellow Gate.

There is a free, secure compound for motorbikes and pushbikes at Red Gate.

Campervans/Caravans

Caravans, trailer tents and campervans are only admitted to special secure fields along Blue Route (off the A37). The website www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk has a section under “Information” explaining which vehicles can use these fields and how to get access to them.

Drop-off, Pick-up Point

The drop and collect point will be signed, so follow the signs and miss the traffic jams on the way in and out. A free bus service will take you to and from the drop and collect point 24 hours a day direct to the Festival bus station next to Gate A. Get dropped off here to save walking miles or getting run over in the dark, and so you know where to get picked up from. Be aware local roads will be closed off on Monday for traffic leaving the Festival. Those picking you up will not be able to get near to the site, so please use the drop and collect point - it makes sense.

Directions to Car Parks

From London: M3 then A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the North East: A1 or M1, M25 to M3 (Junction 12), then A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the Midlands: Preferably M40 and A34 to A303 and A37. (Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

From the North West: M6, M5 to A39 (Junction 23) then A361. (Sat Nav BA6 8NE)

From Wales: M4, M5 to A39 (as above) (Sat Nav BA6 8NE)

From the West Country: A37 or A361(Sat Nav BA4 6TA)

Traffic News

Check out the Festival website to use the police hotlink for the latest travel information. Once within range (about 25 miles) tune into Worthy FM on 87.7 FM – it’s good for traffic news both when you arrive and when you leave - and listen in to the morning show each day to find out what is happening on site.

By Foot

Make yourself visible when walking along public roads in the dark. Wear something bright! Try not to walk to the site - get dropped at the drop and collect point.

Disabled Access

People with disabilities should follow the signs to Yellow Gate, off the A361, adjacent to Red (Main) Gate. Please display your national blue disabled sticker on your vehicle when you near the Festival site.

There is dedicated parking for people with disabilities, as well as a stewarded camping area, with transport between the two. If you end up in other car parks ask the marshals to check if there is space in the reserve area, and to direct you.

Due to the high demand, disabled facilities are only available to those who are registered disabled. Access to the campsite is only guaranteed by prior application – this includes campervan and caravan access for people with disabilities.

If you require details of facilities for the disabled, please call 01749 899654 or email disabledenquiries@glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

The Small Print

Only food & alcohol for personal consumption can be brought into the site. Please don’t bring any glass bottles. They are dangerous and will be confiscated. Do not to bring anything that would cause unnecessary rubbish. You may be searched at the entrance for any items that may be used in an illegal or offensive manner - which will be confiscated. Persons suspected of carrying out illegal and/or offensive activities onsite may also be searched and face eviction. No portable laser equipment or pens are permitted. No animals (except registered guide dogs), sound systems, generators, kites or sky lanterns, unauthorised fireworks, or wax flares, large fires or burning of plastic will be allowed on site. Persons using fireworks will be ejected from site and materials confiscated. No unauthorised tape recorders, professional film or video equipment are allowed onsite. Cameras for personal use are welcome. Ticket holders consent to the filming and sound recording of themselves as part of the audience. CCTV will be used on site. Images will be monitored for the purposes of public safety, crowd management and crime prevention. For further information, contact Site Office, Worthy Farm, Pilton, BA4 4BY. The cost of the ticket includes camping (apart from Sunday tickets), musical and non-musical performances.

Enough advice already - have a wild and unforgettable time.

Fine Guide Map 2009

The Fine Guide Map will be sent to everyone attending the Festival. Please click on the image below to view a larger version of the 2009 map.

[Boris]

Death to the next person who quotes all that.

[Originalshez]

Fecking pointless un-necessary quoting.

[mike99]

Im not trying to annoy people here just help them.Some people dont bother to look so just putting the info out there and get slated for it

[eFestivals]

All the best info is here:-

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/festivals/glas...nfo-index.shtml

Edited March 30, 2009 by eFestivals

[Sam Crawley]

All the best info is here:-

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/glastonbury/info-index.shtml

[eFestivals]

whoops - thanks for finding the right one (I've corrected my cock-up).

[mike99]

The new map in the fine guide is up. I think that bumping up this thread might help a few who are new to Glastonbury and dont know anything on the fine guide

[bombfrog]

Have they extended the monorail to Dairy Ground yet?

[droneoid]

.