Glastonbury Festival Advice: Top tips and hacks

Glastonbury Festival Facts and Advice

In this guide I am going to pass on the tips, tricks, facts and advice that I have accumulated on how to have a fantastic Glastonbury festival.

Location and Dates: 

Nestled in the rolling green fields of Somerset, Glastonbury Festival calls Worthy Farm, Pilton, its home. If you’re thinking about making the pilgrimage, mark your calendar for late June. This is typically when the festival lights up the countryside, turning the tranquil farmland into a buzzing hub of music and merriment. For those attending for the first time, the journey to Worthy Farm is something special, as you join thousands of festival goers converging on this iconic site.

Brief History: 

The story of Glastonbury Festival began in 1970 when Michael Eavis, inspired by a Led Zeppelin concert at the nearby Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music, decided to stage his own event. That first Glastonbury was a modest affair—just 1,500 people paid a mere £1 each to watch Marc Bolan and T. Rex, and that ticket price even included free milk from the farm! From these humble beginnings, Glastonbury has grown exponentially, evolving into a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and arts, while still holding onto its free-spirited roots and commitment to social causes.

Size and Scope: 

Today, Glastonbury is a behemoth of the festival world. With over 200,000 attendees last year, it sprawls across several hundred acres of farmland. The festival site is dotted across numerous stages, from the iconic Pyramid Stage to the Park Stage, and even the magical circus fields, where there literally are circus acts! The genres on offer are as diverse as the crowd it attracts—rock, pop, electronic, folk, and much more. Glastonbury’s ability to blend mainstream, underground, and downright quirky performances means it offers something for everyone. Whether you’re there to catch headliners at the main stages or explore new sounds at the John Peel stage, you’re in for one of the best weeks of your life.

What to do before you go: Preparation Advice for Glastonbury Festival

Tickets:

Glastonbury tickets are hot property, the understatement of the century. They typically sell out in around 45 minutes when the general admission tickets hit the market, so get ready for one of the most intense online checkout experiences of your life. Ticket sales happen in two phases; the initial sale in October and a resale in April. Registration is a must, so sign up well in advance. You’ll need your official Glastonbury registration number and photo ready to go so if you do get through you can checkout in the time limit. It’s worth noting every person who gets through can only buy 6 tickets. So if you’re a big group, you’re going to need to get lucky a few times.

You could write a book on the rumours, tips and tricks for getting tickets. Someone always knows someone who has a friend, who has a friend who knows a trick to get their tickets with certainty. From my experience it’s down to blind luck.

Even with huge groups of you trying you are not guaranteed. For context, I’m lucky that this is going to be my 5^th Glastonbury but I’ve also not got tickets on 3 other occasions. This was despite using same tactics and number of people trying to get them.

If you get them, thank your lucky stars, if you don’t, get prepared to try again next year. One thing I can guarantee is, you need to go at least once in your life. This is a genuine bucket list experience.  I’m assuming you have got lucky and managed to source tickets, that’s why you’re here! Congratulations.

Accommodation: Choosing the Right Camping Spot

Landing a good camping spot can make or break your Glastonbury experience. I have seen horror stories unfolding before my eyes as unprepared festival goers end up camped next to the bins or, worse, the long drops (toilets, that a few days into the festival you can smell before you see). This can turn a dream festival into a bit of a nightmare. Realistically you have three options to consider:

Normal on-site camping:

Pros 

• Cheap
• You pick your own spot

Cons

• You have to find your own spot and if you get it wrong, well, see above!

If you are set on going down this route it is a good idea that you (or some wonderfully generous friends) plan to arrive when the gates open on Wednesday morning at 8am. This is especially crucial if you’re rolling in with a big group and need to find enough space to camp together.

The early bird really does get the worm in this scenario. This will mean an early start and a bit of a queue at the gate before you can set up camp. Trust me it’s worth it for a more comfortable and convenient home base for the next few days.

Glamping: 

Pros

• Removes the admin, both in terms of setup and what you have to carry
• Certainty, you can arrive when you like knowing accommodation is as you planned it
• The extra perks are a must for some people

Cons

• The cost (although this varies greatly)
• Location. You cannot pick where you are on site. Many of the options are just off site.

If roughing it isn’t quite your style, consider glamping. Glamping at Glastonbury means arriving to find a pre-erected tent or yurt, complete with all the essentials: normally an air mattress, and sometimes even additional luxuries like lighting and power. Glamping sites tend to boast cleaner private toilets for their guests and sometimes offer hot showers, making the festival experience more comfortable.

This option is perfect for those who want to focus more on enjoying the festival and less on the setup and breakdown of a traditional campsite. It’s a good idea, however, to book these as soon as you have secured your tickets as these premium spots are in high demand and tend to sell out quickly. 

It is also worth noting that glamping is not created equal, in the crazy world of Glastonbury you can pay anything from £200 to £10k for your stay. 

Off site:

Pros

• A real bed and your own private hot shower
• A retreat away from the noise

Cons

• The cost (although this varies greatly)
• Location and time. After an early morning finish in Shangri-La in the south east corner do you really want a two hour trek home?

If sleeping under canvas doesn’t quite fit your vibe or comfort zone, check out nearby off-site accommodation options. Plentiful Hotels and B&Bs in the local area offer a warm bed, a proper bathroom and a shuttle service. Numerous locals rent their homes as Airbnb’s. Just keep in mind that off-site stays often require a long walk or shuttle bus ride back and forth each day.

Word of warning:

There are some unscrupulous operators that try and make a quick buck off the back of Glastonbury and it’s ever increasing demand. Please be wary that some providers promise services they cannot fulfil. Every year there are very disappointed festival goers. If you are handing over big money, make sure they have a website, reviews and you have spoken to actual people. The age-old rule of “if it seems too good to be true it probably is” definitely applies here.

My Glastonbury Festival Advice Top Tips:

This has become a non-negotiable for me. I always opt for the glamping option, but one at the lower end of the cost scale. For £200-250 I can ensure 

• I have a tent pitched for me 
• An airbed inflated 
• Clean toilets (or even ceramics if I’m lucky) that less people have access to
• Hot showers to revive myself after a day of over excitement  (you will thank me on day 3/4/5 trust me!)
• No worry about getting a good spot

This is always money well spent. There are many operators but the one I have used 4 out of 5 years is tangerine fields. I genuinely can’t fault them.

Packing Essentials for Glastonbury

Clothes:

• Layering is key: The weather can be unpredictable, so it’s essential to dress in layers. Include light t-shirts and warm hoodies. You may be surprised how cold it can get at night even if the day was a beauty.
• Rain Gear: Plan for the worst, hope for the best. Best piece of advice I was given for Glastonbury Festival. Pack a good quality raincoat, poncho and wellies.
• Comfortable Footwear: Pray for dry weather and leaving the wellies in your tent. Comfortable trainers are critical, walking boots if you prefer. You’ll be on your feet a lot, often on uneven surfaces. I clocked up 124k steps last year
• Fancy Dress: By no means a mandate, but very much ever-present at Glastonbury. If you like it do it.

Camping Essentials:

• Tent: Choose a tent that’s slightly bigger than the number of people using it for extra comfort and space for luggage.
• Sleeping Bag: Opt for a sleeping bag suitable for the season. Consider a sleeping mat or air mattress for insulation from the cold ground and an added layer of comfort.
• Headlamp or torch: Very helpful for navigating the campsite during the middle of the night.
• Camping Chair: If you are driving, or have the carrying ability of a packhorse, bring a lightweight, foldable chair to relax outside your tent. This is optional, but with so much time on your feet you will thank me for it.
• Reusable Water Bottle: There are plenty of water refilling stations around the festival site.
• Sun Cream and hat: Pretty obvious one, but there is very little shade at Glastonbury and a scorching hot day can be as physically challenging as a miserable muddy one.
• Plastic Bags: To keep things dry if it’s hammering down and separate dirty clothes when back at your tent
• Portable Charger/ battery pack: Mobile phone reception is the best of any festival I’ve been to with this number of people. Get yourself a charger that holds at least 6/7 charges (easy to find on Amazon) so you don’t lose your friends or miss that perfect shot
• Ear Plugs and Eye Mask: Mandatory part of the Glastonbury survival guide unless you are staying well off site. The music doesn’t stop until gone 5am and starts again at around 10am

My Glastonbury Festival Advice Top Tips:

• Toilet Paper, wet wipes and hand sanitiser: Self-explanatory. Thank me when you find yourself in a long drop.
• Backpack: with the variable weather and the next two points a solid backpack comes in very handy.
• Cereal bars: whilst the food at Glastonbury is amazing these are great for replenishing energy without losing your spot in the crowd
• BYOB: Yes that’s right you can bring all your own alcohol to Glastonbury. This is an absolute game changer. I personally tend to go for a mix of cider and hard seltzers for the day and then spirits and mixers for the evening. Note you can’t bring glass into the festival site so you will need to decant your spirits into plastic bottles.
• Flag or Totem: One of the top Glastonbury tips I was given. Have a flag or an item that you can use as a meeting point, either your own or someone else’s. You will see many creative designs that make you laugh!

Advice on transport options to Glastonbury Festival

Car:

Pros:

• Flexibility to travel at your own pace.
• Much easier if you are bringing camping supplies or a lot of your own booze.
• Direct travel from your home to the festival site.

Cons:

• Traffic congestion around Worthy Farm can lead to delays.
• Parking is a long walk from many camping areas, potentially in muddy conditions.
• Exiting the festival can be slow

Train:

Pros:

• Simple connections from many major transport hubs
• Avoids the hassle of parking.
• Frequent shuttle buses from Castle Cary Station to the festival.

Cons:

• Trains and shuttle buses will likely be crowded.
• You are carrying everything you pack. Channel your inner sherpa if you are camping.

Official Glastonbury Buses:

Pros:

• Direct route to the festival from major cities.
• No need to worry about parking.
• One of the best ways to start meeting other festival goers.

Cons:

• Fixed schedules with little room for deviation.
• Can be crowded, especially on peak travel days like Wednesday morning and Monday post-festival.

What to do when you are there: Advice to have the best time at Glastonbury Festival

When to Arrive at Glastonbury

Wednesday:

Arriving on Wednesday for your first day is a fantastic choice, this would be my advice if it’s your first time at Glastonbury festival. This early start gives you a full day to soak in the atmosphere before the majority of the music kicks off.

Take advantage of this quieter day to explore iconic spots like the Stone Circle, enjoy the panoramic views, and watch the fireworks display near the Park Stage. It’s the perfect opportunity to familiarize yourself with the layout and find your favourite spots.

If the weather forecast promises clear skies and sunshine, even better—you’ll get to enjoy Glastonbury at its most glorious.

Thursday:

If, like me, you’re managing your annual leave with military precison or the thought of camping for five full days seems a bit much, Thursday is a great day to arrive. 

This also makes sense if the weather for Wednesday looks particularly grim, sparing you a day of mud. Thursday is usually when everything ramps up with more live music and activities compared to Wednesday.

Exploring the site

Source: Full interactive map found here Glastonburyfestivals.co.uk

Key Glastonbury Stages (with Two Bonus Extras)

1. Pyramid Stage: The iconic main stage hosting headliners and legendary performances. Its distinctive pyramid shape makes it unmistakable.
2. Other Stage: The festival’s second main stage offers big-name artists and surprises, ensuring it’s always a must-visit.
3. Woodsies: A GIANT tent. This stage is the perfect place to discover emerging artists and fan favourites (and also shelter from the elements)
4. Park Stage: Known for eclectic line-ups, offering an alternative vibe to the main stages.
5. West Holts Stage: Features a global mix of genres, with jazz, hip-hop, and world music creating a vibrant and unique atmosphere.
6. Silver Hayes/Levels: A dance music paradise where DJs and live acts keep the beats going across several electronic stages.
7. Acoustic Stage: Intimate performances and acoustic sets provide a laid-back, soulful atmosphere away from the bigger stages. Another tent for shelter!
8. Arcadia: Famous for its jaw-dropping fire-breathing spider, this stage is a visually stunning spectacle with high-energy DJ sets.
9. William’s Green: A great place for up-and-coming acts, impromptu parties, and secret sets that draw in crowds.
10. The Glade/Glade: A big stage and also a hidden gem for electronic music fans seeking a more niche experience under a canopy of trees. 

Bonus Extras:

• Healing Fields: While not a traditional stage, the Healing Fields offer holistic therapies, yoga, and workshops. A must-see for all newbies to Glastonbury
• South East Corner and Shangri-La: This night-time area transforms into a gritty, immersive art installation with anarchic performances, wild parties, and DJ sets. Shangri-La’s interactive areas make it the best places for after-dark adventures. If you find yourself here, you’re in for a big night!

My Glastonbury Festival Advice Top Tips:

• The site is vast, if this is your first Glastonbury festival make sure you head up the hill in the far south west corner to truly appreciate the scale. 
• The rumour mill is rife at Glastonbury. Some will get you excited, some will have you confused, but there will definitely be surprises. Look out on the line-up/app for slots on stages marked TBC these will be surprise acts.
• You will have clashes of people you want to see. Every year I’ve been I’ve had to miss people, that is a fact or Glastonbury. With a festival this vast with a line up so strong and diverse it will happen. Just prioritise and then relax.
• The range of ages for a festival is fantastic; from babies in ear defenders to seasons pros in their 80’s. You will see it all and everyone is welcome, the inclusivity of the festival is one of it’s best attributes. Champion and embrace that.
• Make sure you explore the south east corner, even if you are not a night owl. The level of work that goes into set design and the art installations is spectacular. Plenty of it really needs to be seen to be believed.

Navigating the Grounds

Navigating the festival site can be overwhelming, but grabbing one of the free maps at the entrance will be your first line of defence. These maps highlight essential spots like toilets, water stations, and first aid tents.

It’s also worth downloading the free official app, which shows timetables, allows you to plan your acts you want to see and plots them in your schedule.

The app has been mixed quality since I’ve been going, with last years particularly frustrating, but nevertheless it’s still something I’d recommend getting

Keep your plan flexible to enjoy the surprises and random discoveries that make Glastonbury special. Make room for unplanned moments; they’re often the festival’s best memories!

Exploring Non-Musical Activities

While music is the heartbeat of Glastonbury, there’s a treasure trove of non-musical activities to explore:

• Theatres, Cinemas, and standup comedy: Take a break from the crowds and head to the Theatre & Circus Fields for performances ranging from quirky cabaret to circus acts. Catch thought-provoking short films or iconic classics at one of the festival cinemas. The festival also features a line-up of A-list comedians every year. Something I totally missed on my first two visits

• Political and Environmental Workshops: The festival has a rich history of activism, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find workshops on political, social, and environmental issues. The Green Futures Field and Left Field offer a range of talks and debates, where you can engage with activists and experts about sustainable living and global issues.

The food scene

Glastonbury boasts some of the best festival food around. This is something I cannot stress enough, it’s like having a food festival within a music festival. Vendors serve up everything from classic British pies to international cuisine, far from your average noodles you get at most British events

The quality is unlike any festival food I have eaten. Over the years I have had a few notable exceptional moments:

• Buddha bowl – without fail, every year I visit this stall
• Sushi at a festival – not something I thought I’d say
• Jerk shack – 3 times in a day last year
• Annie Mac’n’Cheese – for the name alone it deserves a try
• Genuine wood fired pizza
• Nepalese dumplings – even better when under the influence at midnight
• A giant bread roll filled with Chilli con Carne – I wish I can remember the name of this place by the lonely hearts club
• Any cheese toastie or roast dinner Yorkshire wrap on the way back from Shangri-La at 5am

 Keep an eye out for queues and don’t be afraid to ask your fellow festival goers what they’re eating and what else they’d recommend.

Final points to consider

Emergency Services and First Aid:

Know where the nearest first aid stations and medical tents are located. In an emergency, contact any festival steward or security member, or call the on-site emergency number provided in your festival map/guide.

I have had to use these a couple of times and they have been fantastic.

Leave No Trace:

Follow the Leave No Trace policy by properly disposing of your rubbish in designated bins, taking your camping gear home, and reducing plastic use.

Closing Advice for an Epic Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury Festival brings people together to show that a field in the South West of England can transform into the best place in the world. There are countless ways to make the festival uniquely yours, hopefully this guide has helped you to feel prepared and you are starting to formulate a plan. Make sure you truly throw yourself into it and enjoy.

Whether it’s your first Glastonbury or you’re a seasoned festival-goer, the camaraderie, surprises, and memories will make this one of the best weeks of your life. Grab your wellies and your festival spirit for an unforgettable adventure at Worthy Farm!

Has Glastonbury given you the taste for festivals, why not check out my second favourite festival in the world Tomorrowland here

If you have some more time in the South West of England why not check out the best beaches in Cornwall here