Packing checklist
Taking the right stuff can make the difference between festival heaven and becoming a soggy, sunburned, stolen-from mess.
Carrying a heavy load
Only pack what you can carry. Car parks and camp sites are usually about two million miles apart. You don't want to spend half a day lugging things around. And anyway, you can always pick up a lot of the stuff you need from the site shops - although be warned it will cost you more.
Taking valuables to festivals
Don't bring anything of value to a festival - that means leaving all your favourite jewellery and your new iPod at home. Many festivals have property lock-ups - useful if you buy something you don't want nicked or you fear your unsteady hands may accidentally drop your camera into the loos after too much beer.
Festival day trippers
If you're just down for the day you still need to be prepared. Look to bring:
- Money - Most sites have cash machines (with huge queues) but take enough cash to at least cover the essentials. Keep it in seperate pockets or places in your bag to minimise the damage if anything's nicked.
- Water bottle - Refill it at the water points as and when the need arises.
- Sun block - See TheSite.org's sun safety info.
- Raincoat - Or a wearable bin liner, whatever takes your fancy.
- Sensible shoes - Flip flops or high heels may be your style, but it won't be much use in six inches of mud. Solid trainers or boots are a must and wellies are usually a very good idea.
- Warm jacket or sweatshirt - It may be summer, but it is Britain.
- Phone - Reception willing, you'll be able to find your friends.
- Camera - Just don't lose it.
Camping fever
Overnighters need to be doubly prepared. As well as the above stuff they should also remember:
- Tent - Unless you're a bit of an exhibitionist. Even if you're not planning on sleeping it's nice to have the option.
- Torch - Night-time toilet trips made much easier.
- Sleeping bag - Not a posh one, you'll weep if it's nicked.
- Knife/Can opener - If you plan to cook your own food.
- Bog Roll - One roll should do it.
- Matches/Lighter/sticks to rub together - Fire = warmth.
- Enough clothes for three days - Wet clothes aren't nice. In a word: chaffing.
- Soap, deodorant, etc - Just because it's a festival doesn't mean you should stink.
- Wet wipes - A festival essential - the best way to stay cleanish without leaving your tent.
- Condoms - See TheSite.org's safe sex info.
- Booze, fags etc - Whatever your poison may be, but remember there will be police, probably with their trusty sniffer dogs (UK laws still exist within the perimeter fence) and you usually aren't allowed glass bottles.
Festival luxury!
- We know of a couple who took a futon mattress, posh linen, a fruit bowl and an espresso pot with them to Glastonbury one year. All very nice, but hardly essential. Those with extravagant camping tastes may go for:
- Mattress - Remember what we said about carrying stuff?
- Camp stove - If the festival's regulations allow it and you can carry it, the camp stove can cut your food costs right down.
- Pillow - Some might call this an essential, but bunched up clothes work just as well.
- Portable hair drier and straighteners - Oh dear. Why are you at a festival? Go home.
