Anyone know about camping at Reading Festival

Hootie19

My son and a few friends are heading off to Reading next week.

However, I have seen an advert on our works noticeboard, selling two Reading Festival tickets, with parking and camping.

I have asked my son if they have booked their camping sites/permits/whatever it is, and he has said no, you don't need to.

Is he right? If so, I'm wondering what the person at work is selling?!

If he's wrong, is it likely to be too late to get some now?

*manda*

Reading tickets come with camping I believe- I'm not camping but the tickets include it anyway. Some festivals offer non camping tickets but Reading apparently don't do this.
I don't think they need to do anything more than just turn up with their tickets- they'll be told where to camp. If they're driving they'll need to pay to park if they haven't got a car parking permit already but that isn't a big deal.
If they haven't camped at a festival before tell them to camp light, take nothing they can't afford to lose and have fun!

Hootie19

Phew - thank you manda. You'd think now that he's 19 years old, I'd stop fretting, wouldn't you! :rotfl::rotfl:

One of his friend's dad is driving them down and leaving them there, so parking isn't an issue. I just hope he's got enough space for four lads, three tents, and all their associated clutter, in his car. My son says he's got a roof box - I think it will need to be the size of a double decker bus :rotfl:

*manda*

Just warn them they may have quite a hike from the car park with all their gear- if they have a lot of stuff it's worth looking at a collapsible wheelbarrow or sack trolley, we've had to walk a good mile or more at some festivals to get from the car to the actual area where you can pitch your tent.

Hootie19

Oooh, thank you again. This is the kind of information that is invaluable! They've never been to a festival before, so they're like 5 & 6 year olds in the run up to Christmas lol

Buttercup2305

Once where we parked at Reading we had to catch a boat up the river it was that far

*manda*

Camping at a festival is nothing like camping anywhere else- you get very little room, the toilets can be shockingly bad, showers may be available but will have HUGE queues and may only operate for a few hours per day. Essentials they will need- baby wipes, antibac hand gel, wellies, sunscreen, 1 set of dry clothing kept in a secure dry bag for journey home, waterproof/warm clothing, first aid kit with plasters, pain relief and immodium (Just in case) I would say condoms but mothers don't want to know about those sorts of things.....

Pack clothing that dries quickly i.e. not jeans. Even if it's going to be dry.

You can buy food/drink there but can be pricy, so snacks are useful but wouldn't bother "cooking"

And MOST importantly- don't camp near the toilets or in the direction the wind blows from the toilets!!

Oh and cash- there will be cashpoints onsite but they charge, and the queues are huge. Often they run out of money. They'd be better either taking what they need or walking to town to withdraw funds. BUT be careful with money/valuables- tell them to sleep with phone/money/etc INSIDE their sleeping bag as thefts can be a problem- including whilst people are sleeping. People sometimes rip through tents so don't bother with padlocks- makes it look like there is something worth nicking. Make friends with people around - which won't be a problem given their age- and that helps with security but more importantly- they'll have a right laugh sitting around drinking late at night with them too! Have some great memories from camping at festivals- but I'm too old now and need a good nights sleep!!

*smurfy*

Ok I have never been to Reading festival,but live within the town. His tickets should have a colour/letter for which campsite/parking.There is a campsite next to event area but as far as i know most people that arrive by train camp there,the car parks they use are about a mile away,some more and they put a boat on,this boat also runs to tescos.Also within walking distance of event site is Waitrose & Iceland in Caversham,Aldi behind old Royal Mail,all these supermarkets will stock up and have piles of beer etc on offer.
I would also point out Reading comes to standstill on Thursday when everyone arrives,so get ready to sit in traffic! Also as a warning any overloaded dodgy looking cars the police are all ways on a high alert.

Hootie19

Wow - and again, I am amazed at how helpful people are on this site. Thank you all. Some excellent information there. Invaluable for a first time festival goer (and his ever-fretting mother )