Glastonbury Festival has become a major event on so many festivalgoers’ calendars, and this is for good reason.
It seems that if you’ve been once, you’ll want to go again and again. This is proven by the fact that it is revisited every year it is held by hundreds of thousands of individuals – with the capacity for the 2023 event sitting at around 210,000, according to Rollingstone.co.uk.
So, if you are thinking about joining in the fun, then it stands to reason that you are going to want to make the most out of the experience that has already caught the imagination of so many.
It’s not just a case of getting hold of tickets and turning up, as there are plenty of logistical issues you need to take into account if it is going to be memorable for all the right reasons. If you are a little unsure about where to start, here are some beginner tips to get you started.
#1 Get to know the site layout
If you haven’t been to Glastonbury before, you need to be aware that even television pictures taken from a helicopter do not allow you to fully appreciate exactly how large it is. With the festival covering 900 acres, it is only common sense that you get your bearings ahead of time. After all, you don’t want to spend over half your weekend wandering around aimlessly between at least 60 stages and countless other events, not knowing where you are.
This will be a waste of time, and leaving it too late to find what you are after could mean that you miss out on some or all of the performances you are hoping to see. So, getting to know the massive site and what is on offer is a must and needs to go at the top of your list.
#2 Know when the bands you want to see are playing
Coming a close second, however, is drawing up a list of everything and everyone you want to see. As you are likely going for the music first and foremost, this will involve jotting down which bands pique your interest the most when the lineup is announced. Of course, you will be able to find out the times that bands are playing or when and where certain events are taking place. In order to make sure you spend your time wisely, you may want to earmark the important times so that you don’t miss out, although with so much going on, you should also leave yourself time to wander and meander through the 900 acres, even if you have worked out the lay of the land beforehand.
#3 Get your accommodation right
Accommodation is more than likely going to be camping in a cheap tent with multiple noisy neighbors. However, you don’t have to ‘rough it’ if you don’t want to. Having a taste of nature while enjoying touches of calm luxury is also available for those who want to try Glastonbury festival glamping with Yurtel. Situated close to the festivities, it can be the ideal retreat with 5-star accommodation, a spa, and a bespoke menu designed by a guest chef.
This can add a premium touch to your experience and ensure that you don’t come home complaining about the discomfort of spending a weekend in a mass campsite and being dog-tired.
#4 Try new and exciting food
Regardless of whether you decide to ‘rough it’ or stay in style, there will be plenty of new and exciting food to try while you are on site. This is because there are over 400 food traders offering a vast array of foods from all over the world, including an increasing number of vegetarian and vegan festivalgoers who love their animals walking around rather than on a plate.
#5 Experience sideline events
Of course, it is not all about the music or the food; there are plenty of other forms of entertainment that can be enjoyed while you are there. Checking out the different areas of the festival will have you finding comedy, street performers, and sculptures. Not only this, but you could find yourself experiencing live circus acts or watching theatre.
A few final thoughts
Planning your Glastonbury festival weekend is an absolute must to make sure that you get around all the sights you want to see at the festival. However, it is a good idea to make sure you also give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the side shows and soak up the atmosphere as well. Getting your accommodation right can mean the difference between a good night’s sleep and a nice refreshing shower or spending your time tired, clammy, and uncomfortable wandering around all weekend.
