Camping Plans for 2024

[Chazeboy]

On 3/23/2024 at 1:57 PM, The Nal said:

Apart from a couple of years entering through Gate D I dont think Ive ever been over that side of the site. Nothing there but campsites right?

Im arriving and leaving at PGA Wednesday afternoon anyway so Hitchin Hill/Lime Kiln again. 

if your in Hitchin, we'll keep an eye out for you - our staff camping is in the lower section of Hitchin - across the Pilton Bypass - well it was last year

[dondo]

Will be up in Tom's Field as usual 

[The Nal]

1 hour ago, Chazeboy said:

if your in Hitchin, we'll keep an eye out for you - our staff camping is in the lower section of Hitchin - across the Pilton Bypass - well it was last year

Yeah give me a bell! Great you got sorted again.

[Mike A]

If anyone is looking for off-site pre-erected camping, it looks like Tangerine Fields have some 1-2 man tents available from folks that decided not to pay their balance.
I was very happy there last year and am booked again for this year, so can recommend.

 

Edit: Err, maybe not. Clicking through still shows out-of-stock. But if you're in need, keep an eye open.

 

Edited April 12 by Mike A

[deepkittycaz]

Our crew are back in Rivermead again this year. Definitely a big improvement on Orange Staff, but I do miss our old site in Dairy 😞 

[Paul ™]

Not actually sure where our team camp, find out soon hopefully 

[upstream]

the yellow dot is where I have camped the last 8 or 9 years  and where I plan to be again this year 

[Pipine]

We ended up in lime kiln last year because Wicket was all family camping.. so wondering whether wicket will be back in use this year (there seemed to be so much unused space last time maybe they’ll leave a section as general camping again). 
 

Not sure I can be bothered to trek any further from Gate A.. lime kiln was perfectly fine, the view is good and neighbours were nice, liked calling in at San Remo on the way home every night. 

[nikkic]

We’ve got two options this year….

 

We’ll be setting off after the school run on Thursday so realistically on site midday to 1pm.

Option 1

Find a spot on the outskirts somewhere near gate D. 
 

Option 2

 

Get our tent sent to friends who are staying in the Camper Van close to gate B, they will then bring our tent in for us on Wed morning and find a spot in Big Ground. 
 

Will wait until more of the line is up so we can see where we’re likely to spend more time, but as it stands it’ll be option B. 

[kalifire]

On 3/23/2024 at 4:26 AM, Ncahir94 said:

Does anyone have any experience camping at park home ground,oxlyers or pennards? Camped at big ground last year with a view of The pryamid which was great but was a bit far from literally everything else and food options etc. really liking the other stage lineup and want to see more at the park. barely made it to the hill or the sign at all last year either. What about noise levels at those camps. Thanks. Any recommendations are welcome 

 

I've camped in Pennards every year since I started going. Have done 6 festivals there and up until last year, had no problems at all, sleeping soundly every night. Last year was especially noisy, though. One or two people literally shouting as loud as they could at 5am, and people generally talking/partying right through the night like it was in the middle of the afternoon.

 

I haven't experienced it that bad before, and am certainly thinking of changing locations this year.

Edited April 28 by kalifire

[kalifire]

On 3/22/2024 at 10:04 PM, Supernintendo Chalmers said:

I pitched up in Darble last year, literally next to PGA and the fence. Can't see me ever changing again, to be honest. Yeah, the walk back is longer (but that's all part of the adventure, strolling back from the south east corner at the early hours, diverting here and there) but getting out on the Monday morning was a doddle and I was on the road within 30 minutes of packing up. Loads of room and very quiet when you want it to be, too.

 

You make a compelling case for Darble. The long walk back to the tent, and feeling like I've not really camped in the ferstival 'proper' (compared to Pennards, my only camping experience) is what's put me off, and they still feel like legitimate reasons, but I'm going to think about Darble, mainly because:

 

1. Getting a good spot at Pennards necessitates an arrival at PGA in the very early morning, about 4/5am (which involves getting up even earlier). That used to be OK but the last couple of years it's had a big impact on my energy levels throughout the festival. Arriving on Wednesday afternoon, as a friend did a couple of years ago, should mean no queue at all, and still plenty of space in those outer fields adjacent to PGA.

 

2. I catch the first train back from Castle Cary on the Monday morning, so basically pull an all-nighter on Sunday. I don't want to pack up my tent/stuff in the dark at Pennards and carry it across site at that time, so I do that on Sunday morning and put it in the lock up next to PGA ready to collect when I leave. That can take up precious prime-time hours on Sunday. Camping in Darble or close by means there's no need to put anything in a lock up, and I could enjoy all that Sunday has to offer.

 

So overall, I'd lose Wednesday morning (but get a proper sleep on Tuesday night), have more energy over the course of the festival, enjoy more of Sunday, appreciate a quieter field, and leave with fewer issues. The price I pay is a long walk back every night or if I need to go back to the tent for some reason. That and the psychological sense that I'm walking to/from the festival rather than actually being in it, if that makes sense.

Edited April 28 by kalifire

[Olshansky]

Ill be in Big Ground again, with any luck 

Been there 9 out of 10 years and I love it.  The only year I didnt, it was because I was in crew camping 

[gfa]

Northeast corner of Bushy Ground right by the entrance to SH served us well last year.

 

I'll definitely be proposing that for 2024, but depending on when we get there we may go for Oxylers perhaps

[Supernintendo Chalmers]

On 4/28/2024 at 9:40 AM, kalifire said:

 

You make a compelling case for Darble. The long walk back to the tent, and feeling like I've not really camped in the ferstival 'proper' (compared to Pennards, my only camping experience) is what's put me off, and they still feel like legitimate reasons, but I'm going to think about Darble, mainly because:

 

1. Getting a good spot at Pennards necessitates an arrival at PGA in the very early morning, about 4/5am (which involves getting up even earlier). That used to be OK but the last couple of years it's had a big impact on my energy levels throughout the festival. Arriving on Wednesday afternoon, as a friend did a couple of years ago, should mean no queue at all, and still plenty of space in those outer fields adjacent to PGA.

 

2. I catch the first train back from Castle Cary on the Monday morning, so basically pull an all-nighter on Sunday. I don't want to pack up my tent/stuff in the dark at Pennards and carry it across site at that time, so I do that on Sunday morning and put it in the lock up next to PGA ready to collect when I leave. That can take up precious prime-time hours on Sunday. Camping in Darble or close by means there's no need to put anything in a lock up, and I could enjoy all that Sunday has to offer.

 

So overall, I'd lose Wednesday morning (but get a proper sleep on Tuesday night), have more energy over the course of the festival, enjoy more of Sunday, appreciate a quieter field, and leave with fewer issues. The price I pay is a long walk back every night or if I need to go back to the tent for some reason. That and the psychological sense that I'm walking to/from the festival rather than actually being in it, if that makes sense.

 

Yeah, I definitely understand your point about feeling more immersed within the belly of the festival. It really depends what your motivation is, doesn't it? I'll never camp anywhere other than Darble now. The easier-in, easier-out scenario was a total game-changer for me.

 

It didn't feel too disconnected from the heart of the festival but it was a lot quieter, which, I have to say, I also prefer these days. And personally, I love the long walk. Meandering in, you can really get a sense of atmosphere, everyone getting ready for the day ahead, the anticipation and excitement on everyone's faces as they regroup to go again. Lots going on everywhere, from people revealing their outfits to each other, to the gentle hum of those waking up sharing stories of the day and night before. The late night/early morning wander back also gives me a chance to clear my head, walk off some of the excesses, and reduces the impact the next day. 

[fullfathom5]

I pretty much always go for Darble.

[cgall]

Pennards last year but personally didnt think it's worth having to get in super early. Great location and toilet situation was quite decent, but it was pretty loud all night - thinking Oxylers this year!

[Little Andy]

Any recommendations for quiet camping spots available later on the Thursday near the coach station ... and preferably not on a hill?

[aj6658]

First time coming via coach on a Thursday. Realistically where should we go?

[danssol]

On 4/28/2024 at 8:53 AM, kalifire said:

 

I've camped in Pennards every year since I started going. Have done 6 festivals there and up until last year, had no problems at all, sleeping soundly every night. Last year was especially noisy, though. One or two people literally shouting as loud as they could at 5am, and people generally talking/partying right through the night like it was in the middle of the afternoon.

 

I haven't experienced it that bad before, and am certainly thinking of changing locations this year.

That bad!! My wife wants to camp in pennards because she has mobility issues and pennards is the prime location. May need to have a chat.

[Ncahir94]

On 4/28/2024 at 5:36 PM, Olshansky said:

Ill be in Big Ground again, with any luck 

Been there 9 out of 10 years and I love it.  The only year I didnt, it was because I was in crew camping 

What did you like so much about it. Camped in big ground last year. Really liked it with looking over the pyramid but was quite far away from everything else. With most of the acts I want to see on the other this year I think I’ll move 

[Joshuwarr]

10 hours ago, gfa said:

Northeast corner of Bushy Ground right by the entrance to SH served us well last year.

 

I'll definitely be proposing that for 2024, but depending on when we get there we may go for Oxylers perhaps

We're thinking there this year as we're normally Wednesday arrivals and head to Oxlyers but arriving Thursday this year. Will we have any chance round that part of Bushy then?

[Olshansky]

1 hour ago, Ncahir94 said:

What did you like so much about it. Camped in big ground last year. Really liked it with looking over the pyramid but was quite far away from everything else. With most of the acts I want to see on the other this year I think I’ll move 

 

apart from being a creature of habit. 

- proximity to cash machines, property lock ups, and medical tent. Only had to use medical tent once, thankfully but was glad it was close.  

(there used to be flushable loos at the top of the hill too - until 2014 i think)

- have found the area to be generally quiet at night, not full of partying

- have had a lot of the same tent neighbors over the years

[al_coholic]

5 hours ago, aj6658 said:

First time coming via coach on a Thursday. Realistically where should we go?

Wherever you can find space, but you will be most likely in the far west fields, like Darble, or South Park 2 or Riggs. 

[PaintedInSand]

I haven't been here since I last went to the festival 5 years ago. Scored some tickets last minute! So pumped.

 

We used to queue overnight on the Tuesday but I just can't do that anymore... It ruins the wednesday for me. So we'll be getting to the site around midday Wednesday now. 

 

Where would be a nice chill area to camp that won't be rammed by that time??

 

I think we used to camp near dairy ground or whatever it's called now... But open to whatever.

[gooner1990]

Current plan is to leave home at 4am, head for the west car parks , hopefully arriving no later than 6.30am and straight into the queue at PGD.

 

Hopefully once we are in we will be able to head straight for the corner of Paines ground, roughly where we camped last year which was behind the field that's now used for Arcadia crew (which was our old camping spot until last year!)

 

Tend to find this area is quite close to the 'action' whilst not being right in the thick of it, the only downside is its a bit of a trek from Pyramid and Woodies....

 

Will probably aim to get up at 6am Monday morning and hopefully be back in the car and on the road by 7.30am or so.