Glastonbury festival is, without question, one of the most iconic music festivals you can go to – many would argue THE most iconic music festival.
Festival goers range from die hard ‘attend every year’ to ‘once in a lifetime bucket list’ attendees and pretty much everything in between. All agree that it’s rarely about the headliners (supported by the fact that you need to secure tickets long before they’re announced) and more / equally about the wider festival experience. Hours spent experiencing something new equals memories that remain long after boots have been cleaned and festival wear boil washed.
Obviously, for an outdoor event, the weather is high on the list to obsess about. Extreme wet weather is a rite of passage that most are happy to swerve and, equally, extreme hot weather is what we think we want until we get it.
That said, there’s a saying that’s worth heeding in these circumstances around there being no such thing as bad weather just poor preparation. This is our opportunity to share what we know both from personal experience and from views shared by our guests.
Firstly, think carefully about where you are going to stay. Choices range from self pitching on the festival site itself to a luxury stay with us at The Pop-Up Hotel and, again, everything in between. Your choice will depend on many factors including the festival experience that you want for yourself and your group to budget. If you do choose to stay with us at The Pop-Up Hotel then you can be sure that you’ll be your ‘festival best’ after a night in a proper bed (with proper bedding of course), clean / warm showers and toilets and from sampling as much from our bar / restaurant and spa as you choose.
Equally if you choose to stay on the festival site then there are some basic rules to follow including road testing your tent and choosing your pitch-up space carefully (never at the bottom of a hill).
Luggage is another topic – common to all – worth careful consideration. Wherever you choose to stay you should only take what you need and think about all-weather scenarios – not just the weather on the day you set off. We’ve all done that. If you’re staying with us at The Pop-Up Hotel, then you won’t need to carry your luggage to your room from your car – our concierge team will assist you with that. If you’re staying on the festival site then a festival trolley is a good option but, again, road test it and make sure you have ample bungee cords!
One item common to all is the right bag / backpack for your days / nights in the festival. Try to spread the load amongst your party members and, from experience, backpacks are best. A lightweight picnic blanket is a good idea meaning you’re less dependent on festival seating etc.
Another issue common to all is festival clothing. For days spent in the festival ‘layering’ is king. The weather in a field in June can fluctuate significantly from daytime into the night so, if you layer, you can add or remove as appropriate. A packable raincoat is essential even if having it only acts as insurance. Footwear is maybe the most important – if your new footwear of choice gives you blisters on the first day it’ll be a thoroughly miserable experience. Worn in walking shoes are the best option – wellies and flip flops not so good. You’ll clock up more miles than you think so don’t let sore feet compromise your experience. ‘Bedwear’ is another one to think about carefully – again the nights can be chilly even on days that have been warm so pack sensibly. Also worth considering are your dashes to the facilities (unless you’re staying in one of our en-suite options). Whether you are a onesie or a dry robe (other brands are available) wearer – pick your tribe and own it.
Looking after yourself at a festival is key to having the best experience – drinking water, staying hydrated and applying sunscreen are top of the list but it’s an extensive subject and merits an article in its own right. Also on the list are earplugs and eye masks – never underestimate the effect of disturbed sleep on your festival experience!
Staying fed and watered is another important topic. The festival will have an array of food and drink options so you won’t struggle for choice. If you’re self pitching on the festival site then cereal bars and other dried food are good for early morning / late night snacking. It’s probably sensible to use plastic containers to save being joined by local wildlife! If you’re staying with us at The Pop-Up Hotel then there will be a full range of options available from our deli and restaurant all day fro early until late into the night. In addition, room service will be available for those not quite ready to face the day.
Another area worth careful thought is how you will charge your phones / cameras etc. If you’re staying on the festival site there are [paid for] charging opportunities. Power banks are a good back-up to extend that, all important, battery life. If you’re staying with us at The Pop-Up Hotel then every room has power suitable for charging devices so you can plug in while you sleep. Wherever you’re staying it’s probably worth leaving laptops etc at home – canvas stays, particularly in bad weather, can be damp and damp and electrics aren’t good bed mates.
Personal safety is key at any festival – make sure that you make back-up meeting arrangements in the event of your mobile not working (signal or battery) and a small torch is useful for nighttime jaunts. If you are staying at The Pop-Up Hotel our 24/7 security team or any member of the crew will always help if you come un-stuck.
The guidance around festival tickets and documentation and rules and regulations needs close attention – don’t fall at the final hurdle by not bringing the correct ID or losing your ticket. It’d be dangerous for us to summarise here so, instead, make a note in your diary to review the most up-to-date guidance available on the Glastonbury Festival website.
If you’re a guest at The Pop-Up Hotel we will be in touch regularly about welcome feasts, Spa menus and everything you need to know about your stay to name but a handful. If you’re still undecided about where to stay for the festival, then do check out our site information and room line-up and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
