So you were organised enough to get registered for Glastonbury, super-fast on the ticket purchasing, and watching out like a hawk for the final timetable announcements – whoop! But now that it’s less than a month away you might be thinking… so what should I actually pack? Sure, some seasoned or ambitious festival-goers will turn up with just a tent, wellies and a 4-pack of cider and be done with it, but for those of us who like to be a little more prepared, what’s a must have? I’m rolling into my third year in a row of this great festival so here’s my little riff – read through for your packing list.
I love my wellies thiiiiiiis much!
Wellies
Gumboots, Wellingtons, call them what you will. Stick them on your feet and don’t take them off again (except when you’re sleeping – probably). They’ll protect your feet from being mashed in the epic dance-floor you will no doubt find yourself on, and from the inevitable mud once it rains. And it will rain. And no-one, NO-ONE, wants their feet anywhere near that mud by the loos. Bonus points for socks that (a) are fresh each day and (b) are high enough that you can roll them down to cover the tops and prevent that dreaded gumboot-rash line.
Camping gear
You may have gone for the “glamping” option, in which case your tent is pre-supplied, but either way you’ll be needing at least some of a sleeping bag, pillow, bed-roll and towel. I saw amazing set-ups with camping stoves, solar showers, comfy chairs and more… it all depends how much you want to carry in and how much time you think you’ll spend at your tent. There are also stores at the festival where they will charge you top dollar for anything you might need in a pinch.
Glastonbury weather – the lows and the highs
A bucket
Nope, not to pee in silly. A bucket will come in handy in many other ways. From an extra carrying vessel when you’re hauling everything in (very useful to store those extra beers or toilet-paper) to a seat for the mornings when you need a little extra time to wake up, I found a bucket very handy in my Glastonbury experience. Most of all it enabled me to take a freezing but very satisfying “shower”, when armed with my bikini and flannel. Glam, it was not, but I felt a million times better for rinsing off some of the mud and glitter paint. For it all to be applied again, of course.
Your ticket + cash
Seriously. Don’t forget your ticket. Cash ahead of time will also save you from lining up for a cashpoint and/or hunting down the food stalls with card machines.
Ear plugs, baby wipes, loo roll
Yep, you might be a hardcore raver, but even if you’re not trying to block out the thud of beats from Arcadia, you may well want to try sleep through the bird-song and fellow excited festival-goers in the morning. Just don’t sleep right through and miss a great band! Other essentials are baby wipes (particularly if you forgo the bucket shower) and loo roll… you might regret it if you don’t have at least one of them!
Cheap phone and/or a great battery charger
I take what I like to refer to as my “burner” phone… a cheapie from the festival mobile phone provider, which means I have guaranteed signal and it’s unlikely to die within the four days. Key for finding out where your friends are! I still take my smartphone as well, but only for photos. There are charging stations but the lines have always looked mega long – I’d rather be partying!
Kate and I rocking our festival style
Not your favourite clothes
Well, depends what they’re designed to deal with and how much you love them – but I wouldn’t bring my favourite leather jacket or perfectly broken-in jeans to Glastonbury. Fingers crossed it will actually be summer and summer temperatures, so light, cotton and breezy will be a go. A jumper and/or leggings or jeans are great for at night however, when the temperature does drop quite a bit. Especially if you wait to see the sunrise in the Stone Circle! My Glastonbury uniform tends to be tops, denim shorts and a dress, but of course everyone has their own special festival style. Just don’t bring too many options – I promise you that you won’t wear half of it, and outfit changes during the day are less appealing when you have to trek through the mud for an hour to get back to your tent, thereby missing the best band you’ve never seen.
A rain jacket or poncho
See: Wellies – it WILL rain. Last year I made the mistake of trusting in a cheap Primark rain jacket… sadly it was not built to withstand an hour of rain in front of the Pyramid stage. This year I’ll be a grown-up and take a proper jacket… or loads of ponchos to layer up! Whatever you do… don’t be that person with an umbrella. Just, don’t.
Flares are absolutely not recommended but very cool looking!
A pull along trolley
Depending on how much food and/or booze you’re bringing in, a pull along trolley might be your lifesaver. It is generally a long haul from the coach drop-off or car-park to where you’re camping, so this might help save your arms. Just make sure it’s well secured – you don’t want all your beers falling into the mud!
A reusable water bottle + sunblock
There’s taps all round the site and, particularly if it’s hot, staying hydrated is key to a good festival experience! Again, if it’s sunny, slap on that sunblock… no-one wants to wake up in a hot tent with sunburn.
Ben, Alisa, Alana and I rocking the glow sticks!
Any more for any more?
Definitely on the non-essential list, but fun to have: a flag so your friends can spot you easily, glitter / glow sticks / costume fun, snacks for first thing in the morning or last thing at night, and flipflops if the sun does stay out. Most of all, pack your enthusiasm… Glastonbury Festival is AMAZING FUN!
Want more? Check out my post on The Glorious Madness of Glastonbury Festival!
Linking up for #WanderfulWednesday with Marcella, Lauren, Van and Isabel – check out their new travel link-up and their fantastic blogs using the links!
