Best Campsite?

[clarebear86]

so i know its a good bit away but i like to be prepared. its my first time and i think its just going to be me and my boyfriend going, and was wondering wheres the best campsite in everyones opinion??

and also...because were flying from belfast we were thinking of just buying our camping equipment once we got to bristol or to glastonbury...does anyone know where would be the best place to buy that stuff aswell?? im completely clueless

Thanks

[llcoolphil]

so i know its a good bit away but i like to be prepared. its my first time and i think its just going to be me and my boyfriend going, and was wondering wheres the best campsite in everyones opinion??

and also...because were flying from belfast we were thinking of just buying our camping equipment once we got to bristol or to glastonbury...does anyone know where would be the best place to buy that stuff aswell?? im completely clueless

Thanks

[Clareno7]

Hi clarebear

Try this guide: http://www.gorge.org/glastonbury/tort-camp-faq.shtml#7

The camping has changed a bit but you can find out more about that on the fine guide which you can see here http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/_assets/pdf/fineguide09.pdf

Could change again of course for 2011.

As for camping gear when you get there, try this thread: /index.php?showtopic=115504">http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=115504

Hope that helps

Edited November 9, 2010 by Clareno7

[StoneCircle]

Hi clarebear

Try this guide: http://www.gorge.org/glastonbury/tort-camp-faq.shtml#7

[**claire**]

Depends really what sort of thing you want out of where you camp - depends really on whether you want somewhere quiet / lively, near to the gate you'll arrive at, nearest to the stages you think you might spend most time at once the lineup is announced for instance, do you want to be near the late night area or get a good night's sleep etc!

There's stalls all over the site to buy anything you might need, but as others have suggested, Millets offer an order & collect service.

[gibbin82]

As above there is not a best campsite, it is all down to what you like and how/where you intend to spend your time at the festival. What is probally more important than the best campsite is where in each campsite you choose to pitch you tent, I would suggest you look for somewhere with a gently slope rather than any of steeper pitches (erect your tent so when you are asleep your head is higher than your feet), avoid any valleys or bottoms of hills (these may flood or become waterways should we experience weather like in 2005 and 2007 [lets hope not]), also check the area for large rocks bumps and ant nests!. Definitely camp well away from the toilets, unless you really like the smell of urine and the sound of metal doors banging shut all night (this is incredibly loud). Aviod camping on the corner of a campsite right next to any of the major walkway intersections, as your tent will get knocked down and trampled several times every day, which is no fun in the middle of the night while you are asleep. I also avoid being right next to water points and places that look as though may later become access points to the inner camping place (gaps in hedges around the edge of campsites or suitable places to cross ditches) I would avoid camping right next to a large group of people who are all collecting wood on the first day to erect a huge bonfire, although the fire safety record up to now has been excellent at Glasto I would not want to be one of the first to have my tent and belongings burnt down by a out of control bonfire in the wind. I try to judge the nature of the folk who I camp near, as I like to have a laid back experience I look for people who, look to me, to seeking a similar festival and possibly in turn will look out for anybody who should not be looking through my tent, although Glasto is not bad (compared to other festivals) regarding thefts from tents and crime in general, it is good to develop freindships with those around you and operate a kind of festival neighborhood watch. Alternatively if you do intend to party in front of your tent all night look for others who will do the same, again make friends with those around you, if they are not friendly though (this is usually unlikely at Glastonbury) find somewhere else that they are more sociable. I try to find a spot not right next to the walkways but fairly close (1 to 3 tents pitches away) this makes finding your tent much easier in the middle of the night, I think it would not be very nice to find yourself in the middle of a site stepping over guy ropes not being able to spot your tent (remember it will look very different to when it went up in the daylight and more tents, new banners and flags will have been erected since you last left your tent, you also have to consider you may not be at your sharpest or completely sober.

Now if you were to ask a slightly different question what is your favorite campsite, I would say Penards Hill, you would also probally several others on here who would give you the same answer.

Regarding what to do regarding your camping equipment, if you are travelling from Ireland and you were doing the ferry it would have been take it with you, but as you intend to fly, I can only again to give you an answer already given which is buy it online before the festival from Joe Bananas and collect it when you get there. But to avoid that is there anybody you know in the UK who might be willing to take some kit down for you and arrange to meet them there, obviously you may have to do or offer something in return. You could also consider hiring a Tipi if you can get enough interest (6 people works out as £136 each at 2010 prices) or have a look at the MyHab site http://www.myhab.com/ (check this first as there has been some doubts about its future as a business) or the Tangerine fields web site http://www.tangerinefields.co.uk/ both of these will save you taking tents and other bulky equipment.

John

Edited November 9, 2010 by gibbin82

[grumpyhack]

We camped for years in Home Ground up on the hill near Radio Avalon/Worthy FM. A comfortable walk down to the Pyramid, not far from a 24 hour cafe and near some of the few flush toilets on the site (and they were still clean on Monday morning). Also should you get heavy rain it stays well drained and free from flooding.

[clarebear86]

But to avoid that is there anybody you know in the UK who might be willing to take some kit down for you and arrange to meet them there, obviously you may have to do or offer something in return. You could also consider hiring a Tipi if you can get enough interest (6 people works out as £136 each at 2010 prices) or have a look at the MyHab site http://www.myhab.com/ (check this first as there has been some doubts about its future as a business) or the Tangerine fields web site http://www.tangerinefields.co.uk/ both of these will save you taking tents and other bulky equipment.

John

[**claire**]

firstly Belfast is in the UK lol and secondly we were considering tangerine fields but most people i spoke to about it told me it wud be better to camp properly to get the proper glasto experience.

but thanks for the info.....its very helpful

[4AssedMonkey]

The Glastoearth guide is good but also look at the fine guide map from the official glasto site to put it into perspective, gauge distances from the pedestrian gates etc.

I've only ever camped in Dairy Ground and would recommend it if, like me, you don't plan on partying round the camp site that much. It is fairly quiet (comparatively speaking).

I understand that Pennards, Dragon and the fields around the Pyramid arena are a bit livelier at night if you want 24 hour partying, but I'd rather do that in the late night areas/stone circle field and have a quieter tent for when I need sleep.

[rubenz]

Depends on if you want to spend any time at the tentz

I leave the tent at around 11am and only return in the night at around 3am

Last two years have camped in the South Park area. It is quite calm there at night but is pretty close to the park and also the other stage. If you finish off you night at the stone circle you can walk back via the park to the south park area.

This year we walked about all over the shop to look for a spot and ended up about 10 yards away from where we were camped the year before.

[grumpyhack]

In part it also depends on what sort of music you like. This year there was almost an east-west divide with Dance and Joh Peel stuff to the west and acoustic to the east. Maybe you should think about your musical prefereces and pick a camping spot accordingly.

[gibbin82]

I understand that Pennards, Dragon and the fields around the Pyramid arena are a bit livelier at night if you want 24 hour partying, but I'd rather do that in the late night areas/stone circle field and have a quieter tent for when I need sleep.

Edited November 10, 2010 by gibbin82

[Woz06]

For me the discussion should focus on NOT to camp.

Apart from the obvious of not near any loos (apart from flushing ones on top of Big Ground - actually that would be a good spot)), not near a major path, the other factor is avoid a slope.

Man we tried Top Webbs Ash and the slope drove me nuts. Plus would you believe (and don't laugh) the grass was thick and big and made things even more pear-shaped.

Park Home on the other hand had lovely finer grass, nice and flat. And this is coming from someone who only spends ZZZ time at the campsite with rest of time elsewhere.

Oh yes and the other factor is how far you're able or willing to carry gear to a campsite from the your car park/bus stop. If it's really humid & hot you might be tempted to take the first campsite you find as you enter the gates.

ENJOY

[4AssedMonkey]

I find Pennards reasonably quite at night, at least it is towards the top of the hill near the Tipi fields. However where ever you decide to camp I think a good pair of soft ear plugs are essential for a relatively undisturbed nights sleep.

Also unfortunately the dragon Field is now reserved and no longer available for camping.

[4AssedMonkey]

Oh, and regards some of the general advice (avoiding slopes, toilets, walkways etc.) I'd say don't get too hung up about it. The aluminium walkways can be noisy, but some of the dirt paths are OK. Worse for me is being stuck too far from a walkway and having to negotiate guy ropes and find an anonymous tent in a huge field of anonymous tents, in the dark, whilst tired and wasted. Regards slopes, if you position the tent so you are feet down the slope then it's no problem.

In '09 we camped just in Dairy, almost up against the hedge where it crosses to Park Home. We were about 50 yards from some high drops, next to the dirt track almost adjacent to some water pipes/sinks, 100 yards from an aluminium track and on a slight slope. TBH, it was a great spot and if we can camp there again next year then I would.

[Joshuwarr]

Dance Field. It has many haters, but if you're up for easy access to late night dance music then its perfect. Great view of The Other Stage also. Oh and its quite central. If you want the PERFECT place then Holts always looks like the best for me, but its always full

[badmart76]

agree with the dancefield. stumbled across it early one thursday morning in june 1999 and its been my glasto home since. It was quite hairy in the pre-fence days, we were robbed within 5 mins of leaving the tent for the first time. Since the fence went up it has become much more popular, great access to most areas of the festival with plenty of food and facilities nearby. Though this is a flat area of the festival as the sun goes down on the wednesday evening and the first glasto cheers begin to make their way round the site the feeling is bloody amazing, the noise envelops you from all sides, pushing you forward into the glasto madness, a feeling that i yearn for year after year...

i just did a bit of wee...

[BuriedBones]

having camped pretty much all over including Dairy, Kidney, Pennards and backstage - Williams is the one.

nicest people, perfect access for late nights "downstairs".

[gibbin82]

having camped pretty much all over including Dairy, Kidney, Pennards and backstage - Williams is the one. nicest people, perfect access for late nights "downstairs".

Edited November 18, 2010 by gibbin82

[ian the worm]

Backstage camping is best for me. As a worker who does several all nighters in the bar and spends time off at the public stages, its essential to get a bit of relative comfort. We're still as squashed in as the 'muggles' and its just that there are far less passers by and gererally everyone is on quite good behaviour. If you spoil things for others, you wont get your job next year.

The downside is that I don't get my job confirmed until Easter so I've got 2 extra seasons of hoping and hinting that I really am the best guy for the team!!!

[BuriedBones]

Unfortunately as is the case with the dragon field, Williams is also now out of bounds for camping, what hasn't been eaten up by Shangri-la has been reserved for crew only.

[ICGenie]

agree with the dancefield. stumbled across it early one thursday morning in june 1999 and its been my glasto home since. It was quite hairy in the pre-fence days, we were robbed within 5 mins of leaving the tent for the first time. Since the fence went up it has become much more popular, great access to most areas of the festival with plenty of food and facilities nearby. Though this is a flat area of the festival as the sun goes down on the wednesday evening and the first glasto cheers begin to make their way round the site the feeling is bloody amazing, the noise envelops you from all sides, pushing you forward into the glasto madness, a feeling that i yearn for year after year...

i just did a bit of wee...

[gibbin82]

Unfortunately as is the case with the dragon field, Williams is also now out of bounds for camping, what hasn't been eaten up by Shangri-la has been reserved for crew only.

[clarebear86]

What is the Big Ground camping like? Does it be very full or is it not too bad? Easy to get a space on Wed afternoon or not?