Where to Gather Festival Supplies in London

[Time Being]

Hi all. I was hoping some Londoners could recommend a good part of town to stay in...not to sight see, party it up, or any of that, but simply to spend a day shopping for festival supplies and then be somewhat well situated to take a taxi to the 02 Arena for the coaches. I am also hoping I can save some money by not staying in a more central area. The supplies I would need to pick up would be food, booze and maybe some camping things. Always find pound stores useful as well when gearing up for a festival. Thanks for any and all help!

[Migraine]

There is a Decathlon and a Tesco at Surrey Quays which is about 4 miles from the O2.

[musky]

There is a Decathlon and a Tesco at Surrey Quays which is about 4 miles from the O2.

Seems the logical answer. Maybe look for a room around Greenwich which is halfway between Surrey Quays and the O2 - it's quite a nice part of town with a decent amount of local sight seeing - Royal Observatory, Cutty Sark, Old Naval College. Good links to central London as well.

[richy24]

Would advise staying as close to the o2 as possible (north greenwich) if you can find a cheap hotel. From there you can jump on a tube and it's 2 stops to Canada Water for the large Tesco and Decathlon store. Should be able to get everything you need there!

[Waapster]

There is a Decathlon and a Tesco at Surrey Quays which is about 4 miles from the O2.

There is also a decent Youth Hostel nearby. Modern with rooms, not dorms

[Jonohorse]

There is a Decathlon and a Tesco at Surrey Quays which is about 4 miles from the O2.

Came here to say this, both are massive as well so should be able to get everything you need in there!

[Time Being]

Thanks for the input all! Sounds like great stuff, should be much easier stocking up out there rather than in the smaller market type places you find in city centers.

[danwood]

Do other people just head straight for the bikes in decathlon and have a cycle round, or is it just me. They used to have this three wheeled scooter which was a laugh

[MusicFestFan]

We are coming in from California - where is the youth hostel near the O2 arena? Is this the main London coach pickup area? any idea about how to carry all the supplies in on the coach and then on the fest grounds.... hand trolley, wagon?

[Time Being]

I believe it is the only pickup location for the coach package tickets departing from London. I think other coaches to the festival leave from all over the city though. As far as carrying supplies, I use a rucksack and put cans/heavy stuff at the bottom, then bungee the tent and anything else I can to the outside of the bag. Last year the rest went into those huge blue Ikea bags, which worked well aside from the way that they dig into your shoulders. Might look into an alternative this year or maybe even a trolley. You can find loads of info on this board I'm sure about trolleys.

[sedra]

We are coming in from California - where is the youth hostel near the O2 arena? Is this the main London coach pickup area? any idea about how to carry all the supplies in on the coach and then on the fest grounds.... hand trolley, wagon?

If you have a coach/ticket package it's the O2 pick up. If you have booked coach tickets separately via National Express to the festival it's Victoria Coach Station. You will need to check the advice re luggage on the coaches as it will be limited.

[Becks12]

We are coming in from California - where is the youth hostel near the O2 arena? Is this the main London coach pickup area? any idea about how to carry all the supplies in on the coach and then on the fest grounds.... hand trolley, wagon?

There's one called St Christophers in Greenwich, a short cab from the O2.