A woman who went to Glastonbury Festival by herself said she was "terrified" going alone, but insists it's "the best thing" she's ever done. Lydia May, 19, attended the festival at Worthy Farm last year for the first time.
She originally planned to go with her then boyfriend, but after they broke up, she decided to go it alone. Lydia was "terrified" to attend by herself but ended up loving the weekend so much she's returning this year alone again.
Lydia, a musician, from Highgate, London, said: "It was a bit of a classic 'let's go to a festival, what a great idea', but then we broke up. I was only 18 at the time so I was very nervous, but I'm a musician so I really wanted to go and get on a stage - which I did.
"I almost backed out a week before, I was absolutely terrified. But then when I looked online, I found so many people doing the same thing.
"It was a big relief to know I wasn't alone in going by myself. I'm so glad I went. I had the best time and so long as you're sensible there's actually a lot of benefits to going alone, I think. I met some amazing people and I got to enjoy the festival however I wanted to experience it."
Lydia made her way down to the festival on a 1am coach - the day after her final college exam. She was volunteering as part of the recycling crew, so camped in the staff field.
Whilst she was there, she met up with other women who had decided to go to the festival alone and said it ended up being "the easiest place in the world to be alone". She added: "I was lucky enough to stay in the staff field which was so community-based and nice.
"I would've been fine even if I wasn't because all the solo people tend to stay in the same field anyway. I had no ties so I could do whatever I wanted.
"As everyone says, you'll never see all of Glastonbury, but I probably saw more than others. I spent the whole of Wednesday walking around for six hours just soaking it all in.
"I had a litre of pineapple juice and had the best time. I could just embrace it all. I saw all sorts when I was alone it was amazing to see. The main thing is you get to have a great time in the sun or the rain - I suppose you don't know what you'll get until you're there."
Although Lydia had "the best time" experiencing the festival by herself, she followed several pieces of advice to make the most of her time. Lydia recommends others wanting to attend the festival solo that they make sure they have emergency contacts inside and outside the festival, are firm with leaving uncomfortable situations and make use of secure facilities onsite.
She said: "Of course, you have to be sensible and aware of your surroundings - especially as a woman. I'd say go on Facebook and join groups to meet other people who are going alone.
"Once you're onsite use WhatsApp rather than Messenger and try to get an EE sim as they worked the best. Make sure you have people both outside and inside the festival who know you're there alone and have them as emergency contacts.
"In terms of camping, you can camp with other people going alone. To keep your belongings safe use the lock ups - they can store all of your valuables and can also lend you a power bank which is important if you're alone.
"If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, just move away. It is still a festival after all and people are going to be doing what they want to do. Just make sure you're aware of what people are doing around you and remove yourself if it doesn't feel right.
"At the end of the day though, honestly everyone's looking out for each other there. There will always be people asking if you're OK. So, long as you know where your home base is you'll be alright.
"Get people's numbers you meet along the way and arrange meeting places - it's honestly a great place to meet new people. I didn't go five minutes on my own without someone cracking a joke or striking up a conversation - I went alone but I didn't feel lonely for a second.
"This year I'm so excited to do it all over again. I'm meeting up with some of the same people I met last year and then hopefully some new people as well."
Lydia's full list of advice for people going to Glastonbury alone is:
- Join Facebook groups for people doing the same thing
- Arrange meet up spots for others going alone
- Camp nearby other solo festival-goers if you can
- Store your valuables in a lock up
- Make sure your phone is working properly - with a power bank and an EE simcard
- Have emergency contacts as people both inside and outside the festival
- Use your instinct and leave uncomfortable situations
- Make the most of being by yourself to do things that you want to do over the weekend
