Festival Tips Wanted!

storm35

I would say the most expensive is the food and drink,.so take your own and have a fab time.
Chris x

urbancookie1

lots and lots of wet wipes, handy for all sorts of things, also insect repellant

Robothell

I recommend going to a camping shop such as Tiso's or Milletts and get yourself a platypus bottle. I've used my one for a few years now as it can be rolled inside a jumper or towel and brought into the concert filled with a tipple of your choice. Even if the security staff pat you down they won't feel it as it's collapsible. My personal favourite is vodka and then buy some coke or fanta inside (or vodka, archers and fanta orange).

Also cannot stress the toilet rolls enough - you can always bring them home with you, or give them away on the final day.
Wet ones also good.
Plastic rain mac (you can get these in tiso's too)
Wellies if rain is forecast.
Hat for sun/rain/couldn't be bothered to do hair.
Sun cream.
Batteries for torches / cameras etc.
Paracetamol / resolve / etc for the inevitable hangover.

ceejayblue

Also once a day sun screen like Piz Buin or P20! Saves having to keep topping it up!

Piggy-bank_2

hiya, I've not been to T (too far!) but go to about 5 or 6 fests a year!

There are hundereds of tips, but I'd point out:

The reason for the "no glass" is so people dont get hurt during (or after) the festivals by standing on broken bottles etc, so decant spirits into old plastic water/squash bottles - makes them lighter to carry anyway. I usually take a cheap box of wine from tesco to drink at camp, and a bottle of vodka which I decant into smaller containers and "smuggle" into the arena (at those festivals where you aren't supposed to). I then buy nice cold mixers in the arena :beer:

I wouldn't take immodium, I reckon the danger done to your body by blocking yourself up is worse than using a portaloo - however, if you are worried about the festival loo experience then take a pack of bathroom wipes so if you have to sit you'll know it's clean, I take mini packs of tissues instead of looroll, easier to carry and protected from the rain in their little packets. Some people use joss sticks to mask the smell, I can't be bothered, just in and out as fast as possible.

A head torch is great for being "handsfree" whatever you are doing (but be careful about blinding people when you look at them!)

I also vote against padlocking the tent, just makes it look like there's something worth taking.

If you can't do without morning cuppa, you can get little backpackers stoves (like a fold out tin the size of a fab packet that burn fuel tablets) for less than £5, with a small pot this will enable you to boil water for hot drinks/cupasoups/pot noodles etc and a warm wash if you want one. Replacement packs of tablets are about £3 or less. Sometimes we take a gas cooker and do full breakies, but if travelling light we just take one of those stoves, brew-up stuff, couple of pot-meals and stuff like fruit/biscuits etc and budget for our evening meal in the arena - this means you dont have to go back to the tent during the music too. My experience last year at the big "corporate" festivals was that "proper meals" were around the £6-7 mark, although smaller things like a toastie, potatoe wedges or simple bacon roll would be around £3 (and all sorts in between!).

You will get colder from underneath than onto when you are in "bed", as the cold seeps up from the damp in the ground so make sure you have something to protect you from the floor. I dont find roll mats comfy to sleep on, but they do insulate you a bit. Whatever you sleep on, a space blanket underneath (and/or on top) will give you loads more warmth, or can be put ove the tent in the morning to keep you a bit cooler and extend your lie in. They have them in poundland at the moment (along with some other camping stuff), 2 massive ones for £1.

Finally (if you got this far), I'd go and have a look at the forums on the efestivals and virtual festivals sites, where I think they have whole catagories just for T, and you'll get millions more tips!

Have a great time!