11 replies to this topic

[godders1966]

We are thinking of upgrading our camping in 2010 to the relative luxury of a Trailer-Tent.  My question comes in 2 parts:-

1.   Assuming Trailer Tents are allowed at Glasto I’m assuming they have to go to the Campervan/Caravan sites. Is this correct?

2.   What are the disadvantages of camping outside the site in the Campervan area?  I’ve heard that the daily security checks to get on site are a pain.  Is there anything else major we need to consider?

Any comments gratefully received.  Thanks.

[nesta6245]

godders1966, on Oct 21 2009, 06:56 PM, said:

We are thinking of upgrading our camping in 2010 to the relative luxury of a Trailer-Tent.  My question comes in 2 parts:-

1.   Assuming Trailer Tents are allowed at Glasto I’m assuming they have to go to the Campervan/Caravan sites. Is this correct?

2.   What are the disadvantages of camping outside the site in the Campervan area?  I’ve heard that the daily security checks to get on site are a pain.  Is there anything else major we need to consider?

Any comments gratefully received.  Thanks.

Yes you are correct you would be directed to the campervan fields.  Yes you are correct security is a total pain everyday, although I usually had the kids with me on the way in and was never stopped once, even when I didn't have them with me I looked straight ahead no eye contact and was never pulled. My other half was the same. They did seem to picking on young blokes.

There is the alledged "hill of death" if you go for the East, but that depends on how much walking etc you are used to.  I live in Scotland so I find the using the term hill for what is basically a slope a bit misleading It's steep but it's over in a matter of minutes, but as I say I'm used to walking long distances on a regular basis and walk up a lot bigger hills for pleasure.  I think the west fields have no hill and are at the same side of the site as the Park.  

The campervan fields are extremely dull and very quiet.  The upside of this is when you do finally go back you get quality sleep so even if you only manage to grab a couple of hours you do feel better.  We chatted with our neighbours and they were very nice people but only saw them during the day when we got up, it was deathly quiet at night.  As it was the rest of our group were camping so we would spend the evening with them and by the time we were heading back it was to hit the sack.

We have kids and are old now so after years of slumming it in a tent, once with a river flowing through it and 2 very wet and miserable kids the downsides of the campervan fields are worth putting up with.

[grumpyhack]

We have a group of five and have always had a very big tent and encampent in the Big Ground but I've now invested in a trailer tent and we have booked for Campervan West for 2010.  
There are lots of discussions about the campervan fields on the board but the big plus for us, apart from the comfort and added facilities we will have - like a fridge - is that we won't have to lug all our gear from the car park to where we normally camp
We'll be able to drive everything in right to the spot where we stay.
There may be a walk at night back to the campervan field but that is a trade off against the trips you have to make on arrival and departure days from the car park to your camping spot.

[godders1966]

Thanks for those two replies.  It certainly sounds like I'm now 'mature' enough to appreciate the extra calm and tranquility that the campervan area offers.  Plus the massive bonus of having your car near you is worth the £75 alone.

I didn't realise there were West campervan sites.  I thought they were all in the East.  That would be better for the John Peel, Other Stage, and Dance Village that we'll be spending most time at.  It's sounding better all the time.

As a matter of interest, just how long do you have to queue, every day to get past security to get onto the site?  This could be the big deciding factor.  I don't like having to queue!

Thanks again.

[It doesn't get any better]

The other question I'd ask is how flat the campervan fields are

I'm considering taking the trailer tent this year as one of my mates is getting a bit decrepit and he'd probably benefit from a bit of comfort.  He does like cold milk on his cornflakes!

The trailer tent is great but it is not so good on a steep hill

What are they like?

[godders1966]

It doesn't get any better, on Oct 22 2009, 11:28 AM, said:

The other question I'd ask is how flat the campervan fields are

The trailer tent is great but it is not so good on a steep hill

What are they like?

You could always use your big pants to shove under one side of the tent.  That should level things out no matter how steep the ground is!

Anyway you're not worried about the sleeping you're worried you may not be able to make it up the hills with your zimmer frame!!

[jameshunt]

It doesn't get any better, on Oct 22 2009, 11:28 AM, said:

The other question I'd ask is how flat the campervan fields are

I'm considering taking the trailer tent this year as one of my mates is getting a bit decrepit and he'd probably benefit from a bit of comfort.  He does like cold milk on his cornflakes!

The trailer tent is great but it is not so good on a steep hill

What are they like?

Pretty flat - the ones on the East side anyway.  Very few campervans and caravans would cope with much of a slope so doubt the West side ones are any different.

[spudzzz]

have been using a trailor tent for the last 3 years, and although the hill of death is a massive pain, once you get to the top - the view at the end of the evening is spectacular
we generally have a trolley that carries all that we need for the day so we dont have to go back once we are there - a real pain getting back up at the end of the day after 1 or 12 beers, but benifits are

you can go through the wide load entrance every day - the queue is hardly there, there is genetally a massive queue to get back in depending on the time you want to re-enter the site, but we can walk past all for the wide load bit.

whats also good about a trolley, while I drag up at the end of the day, I cant think of any time where someone has not offered help by pushing from the back - makes it much easier


disadvantage as well is that you need to keep your ticket with you at all times, even though you have a wrist band, you need to show your ticket and a pass out stub every time you go in and out

Edited by spudzzz, 22 October 2009 - 12:30 PM.

[It doesn't get any better]

nesta6245, on Oct 21 2009, 11:31 PM, said:

They did seem to picking on young blokes.

Young?  How young?

It'll be me and a couple of mates in our forties (all male).  I am keen on the trailer tent idea but the whole hassle of security puts me right off.

One of the nice things about Glasto is that, once you are in, you have no hassle from anyone - that's one of the things that sets it apart from the other festivals

It would be a real shame to spoil the festival for that reason - It might well outweigh the other benefits

[Cooter]

Some good info on this thread.

And........trailer tents are great but they can be almost as expensive as a cheap campervan so maybe worth thinking about.

[nesta6245]

It doesn't get any better, on Oct 22 2009, 01:52 PM, said:

Young?  How young?

It'll be me and a couple of mates in our forties (all male).  I am keen on the trailer tent idea but the whole hassle of security puts me right off.

One of the nice things about Glasto is that, once you are in, you have no hassle from anyone - that's one of the things that sets it apart from the other festivals

It would be a real shame to spoil the festival for that reason - It might well outweigh the other benefits

You see this is half the problem, you'll already worrying and stressing about security before you even get there.  The reason you'll get picked on is because you are looking sus.  Relax, walk nonchantly in as if you own the place, make no eye contact, if they call don't hesitate, keep walking, pretend you didn't hear them. Split up before you get to the gate and arrange to meet on the other side.  Because you are expecting to get stopped, you'll hestitate, look at them, try to walk past too fast and bingo, body language and your actions give it away.  Try and get in your mind you are doing absolutely nothing wrong (you're not)  and you have no reason for any goons to stop you, why would they, you have nothing to hide.

[cabstar]

spudzzz, on Oct 22 2009, 01:29 PM, said:

disadvantage as well is that you need to keep your ticket with you at all times, even though you have a wrist band, you need to show your ticket and a pass out stub every time you go in and out

This would be enought to put me off, can't be done with having to look after my ticket & myself!!!!