Welcome to our ultimate beginner’s guide to Glastonbury. Glastonbury Festival is one of the biggest and most iconic music festivals in the world, but going for the first time can be pretty daunting.
We’ve been going to Glastonbury Festival for years and, in that time, have built up some pretty useful tips and ideas about how best to navigate the best festival in the world.
In this post, we’ve compiled our top advice for making the most of what will probably be one of the most amazing weekends of your life.
Here is our beginner’s guide to Glastonbury to help you enjoy your first time at the festival!
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Best resources
There is so much helpful information out there about Glastonbury Festival and it can be a little overwhelming.
These are our recommendations for the best places for Glastonbury information and advice (aside from this blog, obvs!):
GlastoEarth – this is basically the most comprehensive and detailed guide to Glastonbury around, covering everything you need to know from a breakdown of the different campsites to the best food stalls. If you’re going to the festival, I would recommend spending half an hour thoroughly reading the site.
Glasto Gals – a Facebook group for women packed with advice, tips and support on everything Glastonbury related and beyond. This is definitely one of the friendliest and most wholesome groups I’m part of.
Glasto Chat – If you’re not a woman/female-identifying, another decent group is Glasto Chat. This one is pretty big so stuff can get lost but still a great source of information and a place to ask questions.
The Glasto Thingy – a twitter account that shares the latest information on line ups (and rumours) and always has some great statistics about when things are announced.
Secret Glasto – a Twitter account to keep an eye on while you’re at the festival. I *think* this is actually run by festival insiders, but either way, this is the place to hear about secret sets (unannounced acts that pop up over the weekend – some of these can be quite big names).
Glastonbury Festival website – And, of course, the actual Glastonbury website. There’s not heaps of information on there, but very useful for checking rules around tickets, what you can and can’t bring in, and practical things like that.
The best Glastonbury packing list – Ok, this one is ours but it is a super comprehensive guide on what to bring to Glastonbury (with extra tips for women). After years of going, I’ve really finessed my packing list and worked out the best way to pack my things to save space and weight – and it’s all shared here!
Beginner’s Guide to Glastonbury – Top Tips
Use the free lock-ups
Glastonbury Festival feels pretty safe but the risk of theft is high at any festival. For peace of mind, you can use the free lock-ups available around the campsites to store your valuables or those things you really don’t want to lose, like your car keys.
We normally take a spare debit card each to leave there, so it’s not a nightmare if we lose our wallets or they get stolen. The lock-ups are open 24 hours a day and are always manned, so you can pick up your stuff at any time.
If you’re baby-faced like us, they also give out over-18 wristbands meaning you can leave your ID there. Use the lock-ups and you’ll have peace of mind throughout the festival.
Get there early
The queue to get into Glastonbury Festival is notoriously long – after all, around 200,000 people are trying to get in at the same time. You do not want to be stuck at the back of that line.
If you’re driving or taking public transport, leave as early as you can on the Wednesday morning in order to secure a good place in the queue and a decent camping spot.
If you’re driving, make sure you buy a car parking ticket before the festival.
Last year, we left Sussex at 2:20am and were in the queue by 5:30am. The gates opened at around 8:00am and we were at our chosen campsite by 9:30am. So basically, be prepared for a long morning.
Some people drive over the night before and sleep in their car or book a hotel, but accommodation in the area gets very expensive (although this might be your best option if you’re coming from far away). Personally, I prefer to enjoy a last night of precious sleep in my own bed, even if it is cut short by an early start.
Bring a well-stocked first-aid kit
Hopefully you’ll avoid any major incidents, but small accidents and unexpected injuries are inevitable. This means a well-stocked first aid kit is essential for Glastonbury. Over the past years, we’ve ended up needing everything from eye-baths (the result of too much glitter make-up) to anti-histamines to indigestion tablets.
If you don’t want to buy everything separately, you can also get a ready-made one like this.
There are shops on-site selling first aid supplies and a first aid tent with professional help for anything bigger but the queue for both gets pretty long.
Pack for all weather conditions
This is the great British summer and weather at Glastonbury can be unpredictable, so it’s best to pack for all conditions.
Bring a raincoat, a warm jacket, and comfortable shoes that can handle mud and rain, as well as plenty of suncream and a hat. Don’t assume your first time at Glastonbury will be all sunshine!
In fact, if you’re not sure what to pack, we’ve compiled the ultimate Glastonbury Festival packing list. I really wish I’d had this the first time I went to Glastonbury, as each year my festival experience has become less stressful and more enjoyable, thanks to knowing what to bring (and what to leave at home).
Eat regularly
With so much going on, it’s too easy to forget to eat and skip meals. But you’re walking very far at Glastonbury (not to mention dancing) and need regular meals to maintain your energy levels. Plus, you don’t want to ruin your first time at Glastonbury by getting hangry!
The good news is that there is so much delicious food to choose from at Glastonbury, with hundreds of stalls selling everything you could ever want. Make sure you choose some nutritious food and pack some fruit and snacks.
Invest in a camping stove
Queuing for showers can take up a lot of time. As we’re impatient people but also can’t handle five days without washing our hair, we discovered the best solution to both problems: the humble camping stove.
We have a small cooking stove like this one which we heat water on every morning. We bring flannels, shampoo and soap and give ourselves a makeshift sponge bath outside the tent. It might not be a five-star hotel, but you’ll save hours and feel fresh and clean throughout the festival.
Make friends with your campsite neighbours
One of the best things about Glastonbury is the community spirit – you’ll quickly learn this during your first time at Glastonbury. Everyone is there to have a good time. So make sure you introduce yourselves to those camping near you and help each other out throughout.
Tent neighbours are great for recommending artists you might not have heard of, sharing supplies and preventing randomers from straying into your tent.
Choose your camping spot carefully
There is much debate over the best place to camp at Glastonbury – and that’s a discussion for another blog post. But whichever campsite you end up at, the actual spot you choose to set up your tent is crucial.
Avoid pitching your tent too close to the toilets or footpaths as the constant sound of doors banging and people walking past gets very annoying.
If the campsite is hilly and there is a lot of rain forecast, make sure you’re at the top or middle of the hill to avoid any flooding. And always sleep with your head uphill to avoid an awful headache in the morning.
Remember where your tent is
It’s your first time at Glastonbury and the first day of the festival: you’re sleep-deprived and over-excited. It’s way too easy to set up your tent and then head off to explore without really thinking about where your tent actually is.
As people continue to arrive throughout the weekend, sites get busier and busier and it becomes even harder to find your tent. Pay attention to where you set up and drop a pin on the maps app on your phone to help you find your way back.
We also hang some battery-powered fairy lights outside our tent to help us spot it at night.
Co-op mini-market is a lifesaver
For the past few years, there has been a mini Co-op grocery store on site, stocking all the essentials and some luxuries, like ice, bacon (perfect if you’ve brought a camping stove) and cold drinks.
The queue gets quite long but it normally moves fast. We tend to go at the start of the weekend and stock up on the things we couldn’t be bothered to lug in with us, like mixers and energy drinks.
Factor in walking time
When planning your schedule, don’t forget how long it takes to walk around the site. Glastonbury is a huge festival, and it can take longer than you think to get from one stage to another, especially when an area is busy.
Factor in walking time to make sure you won’t miss your favourite artist.
Explore beyond the music
While the music at Glastonbury is amazing, there’s sooo much more to see, especially if it’s your first time at Glastonbury.
From comedy to circus acts to theatre to the Greenfields, there’s something for everyone. Take some time to explore and experience all the festival has to offer.
Don’t try and take everything in on the first trip
Glastonbury allows you to go in and out of the festival site. So, if you’re driving, don’t try and carry everything in on Wednesday morning when you might be queuing for a long time.
We normally carry all our camping essentials (tent, sleeping bag etc) and set these up once we’re in. Then, later in the day when the queue has died down, we go back to the car and grab all our heavy drinks. Just remember to take your ticket back out with you.
Choose comfy and durable shoes
You’ll be on your feet all day (and most of the night, probably) at Glastonbury and will be walking long distances from stage to stage.
Make sure you bring shoes that are comfortable to walk in and durable, as well as somewhat resistant to rain to avoid trench foot.
Lots of people bring both trainers and wellies, so you have options if the weather takes a turn for the worst.
I also normally bring a pair of flip flops for wearing around the campsite and for toilet trips in the night.
Consider leaving on Sunday night instead of Monday morning
Some people choose to leave on Sunday night, instead of Monday morning when the queues to get out of the car parks can be very long.
If you’re not a fan of the Sunday headliners and are driving home the next morning (so can’t go too hard on the drinking), consider leaving early to avoid the crowds leaving on Monday.
Bring cash
Although most vendors accept card payments, some don’t – and its inevitably those stalls you want to eat at.
Bring enough cash to last you throughout the festival, and you won’t have to worry about running out of money or finding an ATM, where the queues can sometimes be quite long.
Download the app
Glastonbury has a mobile app that provides information on the lineup, maps, and schedules.
Download the app before you go, and you’ll have all the information you need at your fingertips.
Bring portable chargers and keep your phone on airplane mode
If it’s your first time at Glastonbury, you might be wondering if you can use your phone. Mobile phone signal is generally ok at Glastonbury as EE network (or Vodafone in 2023) builds masts on-site.
This is great for if you get separated from your group or want to let your loved ones know you’re still alive. The bigger problem is keeping your phone charged.
Although there is a phone recharging station at Glastonbury, the queue gets very long (this applies to a lot of things at the festival, in case you haven’t already guessed from this post).
Avoid spending hours waiting to charge your phone by bringing a spare battery pack and, when you’re not using it, keep your phone on airplane mode to conserve power. If you’re really concerned about your battery life, you can buy battery packs like this one with solar panels.
Simple Beginner’s Guide to Glastonbury
- Use the free lock-ups
- Get there early to bag a good spot in the queue
- Bring a well-stocked first aid kit
- Eat nutritious food regularly
- Invest in a camping stove
- Make friends with your campsite neighbours
- Choose a camping spot away from toilets and footpaths, and not at the bottom of a hill
- Drop a pin to remember where your tent is
- Buy extra groceries you don’t want to carry in from the Co-op grocery store
- Pack for all weather conditions
- Factor in walking time
- Explore all the creative arts, as well as the music
- Don’t try and carry everything in one go
- Choose comfy and durable shoes
- Consider leaving on Sunday night instead of Monday morning
- Bring cash
- Download the app
- Bring portable chargers and keep your phone on airplane mode
Do you have more Glastonbury tips or questions? Let us know in the comments.
Beginner’s guide to Glastonbury – FAQs
Is it safe to leave your belongings in the free lock-ups at Glastonbury Festival?
Yes, the lock-ups are provided by the festival organisers and are safe and free to use. However, it’s always a good idea to leave anything valuable you don’t need at home.
Can you bring your own food and drinks to the festival?
Yes, you can bring your own food and drinks to the festival – as much as you can carry.
Glass bottles are not allowed on site, so it’s best to bring plastic bottles or cans. There are also plenty of food and drink vendors on site as well as a small grocery store.
Is there phone signal at Glastonbury?
Yes. There are mobile network masts on the festival site which give phone coverage throughout the festival. This is generally pretty good, although if you’re watching a headline act at the Pyramid stage, be prepared for it to drop out.
Pin it for later
That’s all for our beginner’s guide to Glastonbury!
Don’t forget to check out our Glastonbury packing list and let us know your Glastonbury tips in the comments.
