Glastonbury Guide: Tips From An Experienced Festival-Goer

Glastonbury is your opportunity to let your hair down, catch some of your favourite bands live and making new best friends at spontaneous raves. However, it’s always handy to have a head-start. Our expert, Colm Hewson, has made the trip to Glastonbury five times and has the following tips and tricks for those making the journey to Pilton.

• If you’re flying to England, it’s definitely a better option to fly into Bristol Airport, as it’s closer than Heathrow. If you’re in a group of four or more, it can work out just as cheap to get a taxi from Bristol Airport to the Glastonbury site instead of getting the bus. The drivers will also know the location very well so will try their best to avoid the long delays.

• When you’re booking your flight, choose to check-in an oversized bag, in which you can pack your tents. Again, if you’re in a group, split the cost and it turns out to be better value.

• If you’re bringing a rucksack, keep in mind that airlines don’t like your bag to have bits of material hanging out so make sure the bag is covered or at least all “dangly” bits are tucked in.

• When en route to the festival, stop off at the town of Wells and pick up all the supplies you’ll need for the weekend. Interestingly, they also filmed some of Hot Fuzz in Wells so you can squeeze in a tour if you’ve got the time.

Image Credit Neal Whitehouse Piper. Used under CC license.

• As is mentioned elsewhere in the guide, you’ll be dropped off at the Drop and Collect facility on the A371, close to the festival.  You’ll then have to get one of the free shuttle buses, which will drop you off between the Yellow and Red Gates.

• Once you’ve reached the site, be prepared to walk. A lot. With this in mind, it’s handy to have some sort of foldable trolley or foldable wheelbarrow for carrying heavy items, such as cases of beer.

• The most popular camping section is Pennard Hill Ground, which usually fills first. If you’re setting up camp here, you’ll be walking for around an hour from the Red Gate so be prepared for that.

• If you’re bringing a campervan, it’s probably a better idea to take the Blue route from the south end of the Glastonbury site and head for Campervans East section. You’ll encounter fewer delays from the south side.

• If you’re driving to Glastonbury, you will inevitably encounter traffic delays, unfortunately there is no way around this. You can, however, keep these to a minimum if you try and avoid driving on roads on the perimeter of the festival site. Use roads further out and then track back in. Again, the Blue Route usually moves quicker than roads near the Pink, Orange, Yellow and Red Gates.

Main Image Credit Russell James Smith. Used under CC license.