It's not long now until the fields of Worthy Farm are once again filled with excited festival-goers, eagerly awaiting the appearance of some of the world's much-loved and well-known music acts to take to the stage. If you're heading to the festival later this month, you're probably already planning your visit and what better way to ensure you've got everything you need, than to get tips ahead of the event from someone who has been going for 25 years.
Claire Spreadbury has been attending Glastonbury Festival for more than a quarter of a century and her first visit was in 1997, known as the "Year of the Mud". But despite being surrounded by masses of mud, Claire wasn't put off from attending the festival again in the future.
The start date Glastonbury's highly anticipated return is edging ever closer and many music fans are set to arrive in Somerset from Wednesday, June 22. So regular festival-goer Claire, who says Glastonbury is her "favourite place on the planet", has shared some top tips for those attending the 2022 event. Here are some recommend "fail-safe tips" to ensure you have the best weekend:
- Bring comfy footwear
"Glastonbury Festival is enormous in every way," Claire says adding: "Last time I went, I clocked up about 60 miles across the weekend. Comfy shoes or boots are an absolute essential."
It's 900 acres in total and you're bound to do a lot of walking during the day, walking from your campsite to the stages and exploring everything the festival has to offer.
- Remember where you put your keys
- Don’t arrive in the dark
"Pitching a tent in the dark is hopeless" Claire explains. You can arrive at Glastonbury on the morning of June 22 but Claire recommends you arrive whilst it's still light enough to see where you're setting up camp.
- Be wristband savvy
Make sure to offer your non-dominant hand for your wristband. Without going into full details Claire explains how it's so "any dangling ends don’t make you even more filthy than you’re about to become".
- Don’t lose your phone
"Take a photo of another number to contact in case of emergency, and set it as your mobile phone’s lock screen," Claire recommends: "That way, if you lose your phone, or anything happens to you, they can be reached."
- Bring an emergency tub for night-time wees and try a ‘shepee’
"Wild weeing is not cool at Glastonbury," Claire says before explaining there are 'wee police' who will blow whistles if you're caught which will let everyone know what you've been up to. Instead Claire recommends packing a tub for a tent wee.
"Ice cream tubs work best for women, and fabric conditioner bottles for men!" she adds: "Queueing for cubicles can be endless. Cardboard shewees are usually available on entry, but best to buy your own before the event (cardboard and plastic varieties are available)."
- Don’t camp near the toilets
- Always pack toilet roll and hand sanitiser
- Visit the cider bus
- See a sunset (or sunrise) at the Stone Circle
- Pack sun cream and wellies and never forget your waterproof
We all know the British weather can be unreliable at the best of times. Claire's advice is that "you need to be prepared for everything" adding that Glastonbury "has its own weather system". You can check out the Met Office's latest long-range weather predictions for the event here.
- Use the lock-ups for items you'd be "gutted" to lose
- Don’t take anything you don’t really need
- Buy a trolley
A trolley will save you from carrying all of your luggage and camping equipment. Claire says to "make sure it has four very chunky wheels and is sturdy".
- If you want to plan, use the Glastonbury app
- Visit the smaller venues and seek out secret gigs
Claire recommends the website Efestivals.co.uk, which is "great for rumours" on secret gigs and by visiting the smaller stages you could be finding your next favourite artist.
- Sleep
"Take ear plugs and an eye mask – they really help," Claire suggests before adding that festival goers will see their stamina "take a beating". "Make sure to rest up when you get chance to, so you're energized for the next day," she added.
- Store booze in the shade
- Pack a bag for the day
Again, the UK weather is unpredictable, and if you’re camped far out, it can be a trek to go and change your clothing if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse or gets colder. Claire suggests packing a bag "with everything you’ll need for the whole day and night – including "warmer clothes for later".
- Take portable chargers
- Do something different – you’re at Glastonbury, after all
Glastonbury returns from Wednesday, June 22 to Sunday, June 26. If you were unlucky in bagging tickets, there will be coverage of the event over on the BBC iPlayer.
