By now, I'm a pretty seasoned Glastonbury goer. I've been going since 2005, so that's a full decade (although this is only my ninth year, due to a couple of fallow years). I know my stuff. I've posted tips and whatnot here in the past, but what I've never shared is my packing list. I am EXTREMELY cool, so I actually have a spreadsheet. Scoff if you will, but having it saved digitally means I can always find it year after year, and am constantly editing and honing it every time I go. It's incredibly handy, and means that I don't forget anything. I don't think I can declare that from any other holiday I've been on!
Whether it's your first Glasto this year or you're heading to another festival, this will hopefully give you some packing inspiration. If you've not been to Glastonbury, it's unlike some other festivals in that the campsites and stages aren't in separate areas - once you're in, you're in. That means you're surrounded by 24 hour food stalls, most of which are incredible, so I never bother with a stove or proper food - just a few cereal bars and snacks.
Always prepare for all weathers - even if the Met Office is saying blazing sunshine all week, pop those wellies in the car, just in case. I've been caught out by leaving them at home before. And don't underestimate how cold it gets at night. It's bloody freezing. You'll want to layer like you've never layered before.
Festival Essentials:
- Sleeping bag
- Tent
- Lilo (much lighter but just as effective as an airbed)
- Umbrella (can also double as a parasol if it's very hot)
- Inflatable pillow
- Antibacterial gel
- Rucksack (I take 2 30 litre rucksacks for my belongings, and then a small leather one for day-to-day - here's a What's In My Bag post about that!)
- Torch
- Sunglasses (I usually bring 2 cheap pairs)
- Large sandwich bags (always more useful than I expect, especially for keeping loo roll dry on a wet day, or popping on your feet inside your wellies if they get damp inside)
- Bin bags (not just great for rubbish, keep one folded up in your day-to-day bag for sitting on)
- Loo roll (a pack of 6 is usually enough for me - trust me, you'll be glad of it)
- Baby wipes (this is your shower... sorry)
- Cash (the cashpoints have long queues)
- Pay as you go phone (batteries last longer and it doesn't matter if you drop it in mud)
- Camera (prob best not to take one you care about)
- Solar lights (so you can see what you're doing in your tent of an evening)
- Picnic mat (Poundland sell mini ones, perfect to sit on)
- Collapsible water bottle
Cosmetics:
- Dry shampoo (life saver)
- Tissues
- Hair grips
- Hairbrush
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Mirror (try and get a reasonably large one for sorting your face out in the morning)
- Suncream (30SPF for the body, and oil-free 50SPF for the face)
- Makeup (BB cream, concealer, eyeliner, lipstick)
- Earplugs (tents are thin, campers are loud)
- Razor (or go for a wax beforehand)
- Hayfever tablets & any other medication
- Ibroprufen
Clothing:
- Wellies (even if no rain is predicted, BRING WELLIES)
- Kagoul (see wellies comment, above)
- Tights x10
- Leggings x5 (great for layering over tights at night)
- Socks x10
- Long socks x6
- Thermal socks x5 (all the socks seem excessive, but layering is your best friend when night falls)
- Underwear
- Dresses x5 (one per day, but you probably will rewear. I don't recommend jeans!)
- Thin cardigan
- Thick hoodie
- Pyjamas (I wear fleece tracksuit bottoms and a long sleeved tshirt, plus about three pairs of socks and a hoodie)
- Scarf
- Gloves
- Trainers
- Flipflops (wishful thinking)
- Straw hat (trust me, sunstroke at a festival is not fun)
- Knitted hat (yes, in June. Gets bloody freezing at night)
- Cycling shorts (for wearing under dresses if you go bare-legged)
Food & beverages*
- Water (I bring a multipack of cheap water from a supermarket to drink in the car, then keep 1 or 2 full for the walk and make sure the rest are empty. Good for decanting alcohol into, or just filling up with water on a daily basis. There are lots of water points there.)
- Cider x8
- Cans of spirits & mixers x10
- Cartons of wine x6
- 500ml spiced rum (decanted into a plastic bottle)
- Ginger beer (for mixing with the rum)
- Tent snacks (I take Pringles, cookies, Babybel, cereal bars - for meals, you'll want to go to one of the amazing food stalls)
*Obviously the amount of alcohol you bring is totally up to you, but the amounts listed above work for me. Don't judge my drinking! It's a festival!
Love this list! Its definitely a challenge trying to pack as light as possible but also catering for every possible weather situation! x
ReplyDeleteLilyLipstick
This list is super helpful, I'm unlikely to ever go but I'm forwarding it onto my friends who are thinking about it!
ReplyDeleteMaria xxx