8 replies to this topic

[suchacharmer]

I am in no way new to festivals, but in the past I have only attended US festivals, and this year for a change I've decided to go to one in the UK instead.  British music is my passion (I DJ an all British radio show here in the US) and it's always disappointing that we only get three or four British bands on our festival line-ups here...so I've decided to head over to the motherland to experience it firsthand.  

Anyway, while I would prefer to attend Glasto (especially now that Blur will be there...) or Leeds my sister's schedule only allows her time off during V...so it looks like that's where we will be heading.  So, I just have a few questions for all of you regarding logistics.

We will be in Europe for a few weeks before we actually head to the festival...so I'd rather not be carrying around a tent, sleeping bag, wellies and other festival essentials around Scandinavia for days, so I'm wondering if there is anywhere on the grounds to buy a tent and sleeping bag once we get there?  I'd guess that stores in the area would sell out of these kind of things really quickly, but would that be an option as well?  

How far are the closest train station/bus depot from the site?  We won't have access to a car so I'd either be walking or catching a cab from the train and I wondering how far of a walk we are in for?

Any other details I should now before agreeing to embark on this expedition?  I'm usually pretty self-sufficient and I've been to the UK enough times in the past to not seem like a completely newb American...but I'm a little nervous about making all of this work out.

Thanks for your help!

[xxtinkerbellxx]

You can buy everything on site; airbed,tent,sleeping bag, chair etc. but dont expect it 2 b cheap! The nearest train station to the site would be Stafford. if u can get to there then there is a big tesco next door that sell camping stuff around the same time as V so you can probs pick up cheap tents etc. from there plus all your food and beverages. There is also a shuttle bus that runs from Stafford Station straight to the festival. (not sure how much it is tho)

Hope that helps!

[suchacharmer]

Thanks!  Good to know.

[MikeyB37]

There's an on-site stall that you can collect pre-ordered camping gear from, you do pay a bit extra for the privilege but it would save you a lot of grief!

Quote

Our festival camping supplies, equipment and camping packs contain everything you will need for the upcoming festival season including torches, lanterns, tents, sleeping bags, airbeds and the all important pumps,cooking equipment and just in case wet weather gear and wellies.

You can even pick up your festival camping supplies, camping equipment and camping packs from the festival you are attending saving you much lugging of heavy equipment.

http://www.joe-bananas.co.uk/

The only other advice i could give is... Go to Glasto if you possibly can!

Edited by MikeyB37, 18 December 2008 - 01:56 AM.

[pehaw]

Wolverhampton railway station is another option. Same deal as from Stafford.

I think the return fare for the shuttle bus was £7.50 this year.

[The Fly]

pehaw, on Dec 22 2008, 11:23 AM, said:

Wolverhampton railway station is another option. Same deal as from Stafford.

I think the return fare for the shuttle bus was £7.50 this year.

Yeah i've done shuttle buses from both of the stations, and they're the best way to get to the site. The Wolverhampton journey seemed slightly shorter of the two.

Edited by The Fly, 25 December 2008 - 06:23 PM.

[*Gigfreak]

MikeyB37, on Dec 18 2008, 01:54 AM, said:

The only other advice i could give is... Go to Glasto if you possibly can!

+1!

You can also try http://www.cosycamper.co.uk/ they allow you to order online and collect at the festival as well!

[glc1983]

Pretty much what has been said above - the two nearest towns with public transport links to Weston Park are at Wolverhampton and Stafford. Shuttle buses are used from the train stations to the festival site, so it's very straightforward!

If you want to buy camping gear, best bet would be to go to either Stafford or Wolverhampton town centre (about 5-10 min walk from each railway station), go to an outdoor retailer such as Millets or Blacks (they are common high street stores in the UK), I'd imagine they will have all the essentials you need.

There is also a Tesco by Stafford rail station, Tesco are like a smaller version of Wal Mart and sell all kinds of things, usually in festival 'season' they have a push on tents and camping gear.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

[glc1983]

Edit - Double post!

Edited by glc1983, 08 January 2009 - 01:27 PM.