Glastonbury Festival is approaching fast and if you are lucky enough to have a ticket, its time to start packing! After many years of attending this iconic festival, I have my packing abilities very finely tuned! In this blog I share my festival essentials, listing the kit I take with me and my top tips as to what is and isn’t helpful to take.
What to Pack For Glastonbury Festival
The following list contains various items that I have found helpful over my many years attending Glastonbury and other UK festivals*. For the entire packing list, scroll to the bottom of the page.
Glastonbury Festival Camping Essentials
Tent
While this goes without saying, as tempting as it is, don’t just take any tent. Often, the advice is to buy something cheap because it will get wrecked. However, unless you are camping directly next to a walkway, or right on the edge of a main stage (Which I strongly recommend you avoid!), your tent need not get wrecked. I’ve taken the same tent to festivals for years and it has lasted well.
My advice is to spend a bit more money on a decent tent. A decent tent is less likely to let the rain in and spending more money will help to avoid the temptation to throw it away at the end of the festival. Please don’t be the person that does that!
I recommend a tent that is big enough for the number of people that are staying in it, plus one. The plus one will leave ample room for bags. The tent doesn’t have to be huge, in fact, with the vast numbers that attend Glastonbury Festival, its considerate to not take up more room than you need. However, taking one that’s big enough for you, your friends and all your bags is a must.
From personal experience, I also strongly suggest getting a tent with a small porch. Glastonbury Festival always gets muddy, even when the weather is good, and you will want somewhere to store your wet gear that’s not in the area you sleep in.
Remember, your tent will be your home for five days. You will be exhausted, and therefore you want somewhere you can come home to at the end of the day that’s dry and comfortable.
A Large Rucksack
Trying to carry several different bags, or trying to wheel everything in on a trolley, is not practical, especially at Glastonbury. It’s a long trek from the car parks to the camping areas. If the ground is already muddy your trolley will get stuck, meaning you’ll be left with lots of stuff everywhere and nowhere to put it.
Instead, it is far better to get a proper large rucksack that you can fit everything inside, or attach on the outside. A decent backpack will last you for years and will make that trek from the campsite to your camping spot much easier. You can buy rucksacks which have a day bag attached too which is handy.
Sleeping Bag
Even when we do have some summer sun, the nights can still get cold, so it is essential to take a suitable sleeping bag. Look for the temperature rating when you buy a sleeping bag. If you know you are someone who is a cold sleeper, then buy a warmer bag.
Head Torch
At night, that sea of tents can be a nightmare to navigate so you will need a torch. I strongly recommend using a head torch so that you can have your hands free. Being able to use both hands and see what you are doing is also essential for navigating the loo in the dark!
Sleeping Mat
Don’t bother to bring a blow-up mattress. as they are so heavy. Also, you will have to lug the pump with you or pay a fiver for one of the stalls to inflate the bed for you. Plus, the air inside quickly condensates and you will find that after a night or two, the bed gets damp. Then, what seemed like comfort, suddenly isn’t! Sleeping mats are a great alternative and I changed to one a few years ago. A self-inflating mat is light to carry, easy to inflate and comfortable.
Pillow
Some might argue that a pillow isn’t essential but oh my once you try one you will change your mind! After a long day, it’s lovely to curl up inside your sleeping bag with a comfy pillow. Yes, a rolled up jumper may do the trick, but you can buy such tiny light pillows now, you may as well treat yourself to a bit of luxury at the end of the day.
Ear Plugs
Glastonbury Festival does not sleep! Even if you camp in the quieter fields, you will be disturbed by the noise of zips, or giggling festival goers losing their tents. Therefore using earplugs is recommended, to help you get some vital shut-eye and wake refreshed.
Collapsible Water Carrier
The queues for the water taps can be horrendous, especially in the morning. It is also, it is not advisable to stand at the water tap just to brush your teeth or wash your hair. Instead, get a collapsible carrier, fill it up when the taps are free, and you have access to water in your tent at all times.
Travel Johns
Disposable toilets are an absolute lifesaver! It is not good to pee on the land so please do not do it! Instead, if you do not want to venture out at night or if it’s raining, these disposable toilets are amazing.
Duct tape
You may laugh, but duct tape is magic! It can fix anything, a ripped tent, holes in your wellies, the list is endless, and I have never gone to a festival without a roll of it.
Foil blankets
Foil blankets can be bought cheaply, and are easy to stash in your bag. I use them to reflect heat off my tent and save it from feeling like a sauna in the mornings. Use the duct tape (see!) to attach it over the inner of your tent and your tent will stay cooler for longer. Foil blankets are also great to sit on or to wrap around you if you get cold and are much lighter to carry than a blanket.
Festival Camping Cooking kit
A cooking kit is not essential for everyone, but I like to have a basic cooking kit for early morning coffee and for times when I’m resting back at my tent.
Small folding Stove
It’s possible to buy a variety of food and drink at Glastonbury Festival. However, the option to have a brew in the morning and a cup a soup in the evening makes taking a small stove worthwhile. Also, taking a few staples like tea bags and cup a soups, will save you money.
Lightweight Pans For Cooking
For basic cooking, I take a tiny folding pot set, for making my morning porridge and for any other basic staple I might cook. My folding stove tucks away inside it too.
Collapsible Kettle
Camping gear has come a long way, especially with the use of silicone and the ability to make a large item fold down. A collapsible kettle is very light, takes up very little space and boils water quickly.
Thermal mug
I am one of those rare festival goers who doesn’t drink alcohol, (that’s right, not a drop!) For me, therefore, a thermal leak-proof mug is essential. A thermal mug means I can enjoy a brew throughout the day and carry it easily. It’s also better than using the throwaway cups. Most of the hot drink vendors on site are happy to fill up your own cup as long as its clean.
Fold up sink
Yes, I do take the kitchen sink! My collapsible sink allows me to wash up a few things, and also to treat myself to a face and pit wash. Sometimes baby wipes just are not enough!
Food and Drink
It is a good idea to keep some snacks in the tent and some basics to cook with your cook kit. Having a few staples means you can save yourself a bit of dosh and replenish your energy quickly when you are back at the tent.
I take the following:
- Powdered milk
- Coffee
- Tea bags
- Freeze dried foods (cap a soups. noodles, packets of porridge etc)
- Cereal bars
Glastonbury Festival Daily Essentials
Day Bag
You will need a suitable bag to keep essentials in during the day. A small rucksack is ideal. Some folks use a bum bag and sling it over their body, but you can’t fit much in those. A small rucksack will allow you to carry your wet gear, should it pour down, a bottle of water and a couple of snacks too.
If you don’t have a rucksack with a day pack attached then instead you could buy a fold-down backpack. These don’t have the best padding on the straps, but they are ideal for just carrying some essentials and pack easily within a larger rucksack.
Money and a bank card
Take cash with you. Although there are cash machine the queue for them is often very long. Use the lock ups to store excess cash safely
Water Bottle
To avoid having to buy water all the time, bring a reusable water bottle to fill up at the many available water points. Glastonbury has many places providing free cold water too. A collapsible water bottle is a great idea, light to pack and easy to store.
Sunglasses
Staring up at a stage when the sun is behind it can be uncomfortable after a while, so pack sunglasses.
Camping Chair
Perhaps I am showing my age now, but I really cannot cope at a festival now without a chair! It is just nice to have somewhere to rest your back after a long trek between stages!
I have used many chairs over the years but my favourite by far is a folding sit mat chair. Its clever design means the straps support you whilst you sit. They are so light and easy to strap to the back of your day bag, I have used a fair few different brands and they have each survived rigorous mistreatment at a few festivals!
My ultimate favorite folding chair is the Crazy Creek version. Its the same concept but instead of folding, it also rolls up, this makes it even lighter and easier to carry. It is more expensive but I’ve now had it for about four years and it is still going strong.
Phone /Electronics Charger
A lot of folks suggest taking an old phone and while this is a good idea, let’s face it we all want to share our pics on social media so instead, take a power charger.
It is common to have so many of our items requiring power now, smart watches and so on. Or, perhaps like me, you use your smartphone to vlog throughout the festival. This year I have purchased a new charger, one that as well as pre-charging on the mains before I go also has the option to charge in sunlight using solar panels. I will be testing this new charger out this year as I am also taking my Dji Osmo smartphone gimbal.
The good thing about Glastonbury festival, like many of the large festivals, is that it has a secure lock up tent, so you can leave expensive equipment it in there every day as I do.
Glastonbury Festival Clothing Essentials
Comfortable footwear
There is a lot of walking involved at Glastonbury Festival, so a good pair of walking boots or walking trainers is my top suggestion. Of course, once it starts to turn into a mud bath, then is the time to change to wellies! However, it is nice to have an alternative pair, to use around the campsite or for the journey home.
Wellies
At many festivals, you can get away without wellies, however, at Glastonbury Festival, you cant. When it rains, due to the sheer number of people, the ground quickly becomes a mud bath. Walking boots just won’t cut it, you’ll need wellies. Trust me!
You can find some incredibly funky wellies, or you can decorate them yourself, with some waterproof markers. Pair them up with some long socks to prevent welly chaffing. Also, buy a good thick insole too, because wellies are not the most comfortable things to wear.
Wet Gear
There is nothing worse than being damp and cold. At Glastonbury Festival, its not easy to simply nip back to your tent to dry off. A good waterproof jacket and trousers will make your Glastonbury so much more comfortable if it does pour it down.
A Pack Of Ponchos
Always take wet gear, but also take a set of ponchos too. You can pick them up cheaply, a pack of a few is usually less than a tenner.
The reason I take poncho’s, as well as wet gear, is that because ponchos are so big, they can go over you and your bag, therefore keeping everything dry.
For an additional tip, get the transparent ones, then when you are sat on the ground you can snuggle under them, eat your dinner and watch the stage from the dry!
Socks – Lots of!
It is possible to cope with just a couple of changes of T-shirts but trust me, a fresh pair of socks each day will feel like your own slice of heaven after a day walking around the giant that is Glastonbury Festival!
Opt for good quality walking socks, not your cheap version, and your feet will thank you! As mentioned earlier, make sure to buy welly socks too, to prevent chaffing.
Basic Change of clothing
Unless you are trying to get on the front cover of Vogue, just take what is comfortable and practical. You really do not need much at all so save the space and just take clean underwear, a couple of t-shirts, a couple of pairs of shorts and a pair of long trousers. I always try to leave a dry set of something in a bag so that traveling home I am warm and dry.
Warm Jumper
A warm jumper is essential. At night, especially when tired, you will get cold easily. Make sure to stuff a warm jumper in your day bag to whip out when the temperatures drop so that you don’t have to rush back to your tent and you can stay out till the sun comes up!
Festival Health and Hygiene
Wet Wipes
A pack of baby-wipes/wet wipes are essential for a daily freshen up. Biodegradable ones are far better for the environment but please do still dispose of them responsibly.
Hand Sanitiser
Take a small bottle of hand sanitiser because places to wash your hands are few and far between!
Sun Tan Lotion
Yes, even in England! Sunscreen is just as essential as for a holiday abroad. Being outside all day, with little shade, means it is easy to get burned. Sunburn and sleeping in a tent do not mix, and neither does sunburn and trying to carry a rucksack!
Lip balm
A day in the sun wreaks havoc with your lips! It will feel like joy applying a soothing balm!
Basic First aid items
There are plenty of first aid tents, but it’s a good idea to keep a few things handy. For example, I always take some paracetamol, some ibuprofen and also some throat sweets because I always end up singing myself hoarse! Plasters are a good idea too, get some blister ones, because all that walking can take its toll on your poor feet
And Finally
Don’t forget to take your ticket! Also, it is a good idea to take some form of identification
Don’t worry if you do forget something because there are so many shops and stalls at Glastonbury, its easy to pick up something you might be missing. Most importantly, remember to relax, because you are going to have the time of your life!
The Entire Ultimate Glastonbury Festival Camping List
Camping Essentials
- Tent
- Large Rucksack
- Sleeping bag
- Head torch
- Sleeping Mat
- Pillow
- Earplugs
- Collapsible water carrier
- Travel Johns
- Duct tape
- Foil blankets
Clothing Essentials
- Comfortable footwear
- Wellies
- Wet gear
- A pack of poncho’s
- Socks – lots of!
- Basic change of clothing
- Warm jumper
Daily Essentials
- Day bag
- Money and bank card
- Water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Phone/electronics charger
- Folding Chair
Camp cooking kit
- Small folding stove
- Light weight pans
- Collapsible Kettle
- Thermal mug
- Folding sink
Food and Drink
- Powdered milk
- Coffee
- Tea bags
- Freeze dried foods (cap a soups. noodles, packets of porridge etc)
- Cereal bars
Health and Hygiene
- Wet wipes
- Hand Sanitiser
- Lip balm
- Basic first aid items
What are your essentials to take? Let me know in the comments below!
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Thank you so much for writing such a thorough and comprehensive list! This is going to help so much for packing when I make it to Glasto! You’ve even included things that I would never have thought of like lip balm! I guess it’s because you’re speaking from experience and learning what to take and what not to take through trial and error. Some of those products that you recommended look really great, durable, and good quality! I’ve got my eye on a few of them like the solar charger, the collapsible sink and collapsible kettle. But I’m sure I… Read more »
Thank you so much! I am very glad it’s helpful, I’ve been doing this for so many years now and this kit makes my time enjoyable and comfortable, so if it helps other have a great time too, I am happy! I cannot wait to have a dance with you in the Pyramid Field!