36 replies to this topic

[congopowers]

I took my daughter (10) and son (14).. the family field was full when we arrived.. after a tortuous walk round the site we ended up on the other family field (behind John Peel/hospitality camping) and it was virtually empty, and remained so all weekend.. to the extent that you could easily have had a game of football if you were that way inclined

[shiff]

wweerr208, on 04 November 2010 - 10:51 PM, said:

<grits teeth at the memory of getting pram near the tent>

The CV field was too quiet for me tbh - if you want to camp in the (CV) CamperVan field cheaply then buying a trailer tent is the way to go

btw - I'm be selling one ;o)

mmm like the idea of a trailer tent. never been in one but does look a lot easier to tow.

[shiff]

Can't wait. Lets hope the organisers plan for a even better festival this year. As previously mentioned, there is a real need for people with children to camp in the family field (mainly so children have easier/safer access to Kidz field) and as reported many camped there with no children. Not wanting to judge but why would you? If I was not taking a child this year I would not even consider this field (would want to enjoy the festival on a different level!) A reminder that lets respect each other's needs and have a wonderful time that you will not get anywhere else.

[she bangs the drums]

The Wicket Ground Family camping is rubbish, please stick to the area where you went to last year  

[moo-e]

So both Cockmill Meadow and Wicket Ground were unrestricted last year (as in there were no stewards discouraging non-families camping in both those fields)?

We'll be taking a 20 month old and Wicket Ground sounds pretty good. Of course being nearer the Kidz Field would be better (plus it's easier to get down into Theatre/Circus fields, handy if its raining and you need to be inside with a child). But I don't like the thought of manoeuvring a buggy out thru a bunch of crowded tents.

On another note has anyone ever used these folks at Latitude or Green Man?
http://www.boutiqueb...g.com/index.asp

I don't think they are going to Glasto but it's an interesting service all the same.

[jeffie]

wweerr208, on 04 November 2010 - 10:51 PM, said:

<grits teeth at the memory of getting pram near the tent>

The CV field was too quiet for me tbh - if you want to camp in the (CV) CamperVan field cheaply then buying a trailer tent is the way to go

btw - I'm be selling one ;o)

Tell me more......

[Peachy]

There did used to be a much stricter policy with entering the family field, I remember once going there accidently and being told by a steward that it was family camping only, I remember feeling pleased that there was that level of safety for children on site. I would suggest anyone taking children should send a complaint to Glastonbury festival  asking for more diligence with whos camping there.
Anyone who would want to camp with a field full of kids when they haven't brought any themself must be insane, which is why they shouldn't be there in the first place
It does also say that theres a new family camping area at the wicket ground lhere

[vinylvictim]

moo-e, on 19 April 2011 - 10:43 AM, said:

So both Cockmill Meadow and Wicket Ground were unrestricted last year (as in there were no stewards discouraging non-families camping in both those fields)?

We'll be taking a 20 month old and Wicket Ground sounds pretty good. Of course being nearer the Kidz Field would be better (plus it's easier to get down into Theatre/Circus fields, handy if its raining and you need to be inside with a child). But I don't like the thought of manoeuvring a buggy out thru a bunch of crowded tents.

No, there were definitely campsite stewards on both entrances to Wicket Ground last year. We camped there, and friends camping with us were challenged when they arrived on the Thursday morning. So camping as part of a group without children was discouraged there.

From what I've read, It might have been due to the sheer large numbers that descended on Cockmill meadow early on Wednesday (possibly for the football) in 2010, the stewards perhaps weren't able to do anything.

[thatcats]

congopowers, on 05 November 2010 - 10:15 AM, said:

I took my daughter (10) and son (14).. the family field was full when we arrived.. after a tortuous walk round the site we ended up on the other family field (behind John Peel/hospitality camping) and it was virtually empty, and remained so all weekend.. to the extent that you could easily have had a game of football if you were that way inclined

Exactly the same experience here, Cockmill was full to bursting point by lunchtime Wednesday whereas Wicket Ground was lovely with lots of space all weekend. My daughter was 11 last year so for the first time didn't want to spend much time in the Kidz Field (I was very sad that she was growing out of it!) but I thought it was a shame for other families who were camped in Wicket Ground with younger children as it was quite a trek to the Kidz Field from there.  

Wicket Ground reminded me of how I had remembered Cockmill back in 2002 when the stewards were only allowing families to camp there and the total number of tickets sold for Glastonbury was a lot less than last year.

[allovicky]

Don't know if this helps but it was my first Glastonbury last year, and we arrived just west of the Dance Village, I asked a steward when we got through in where the best places to camp were and he explained where to go if you wanted it to be busier, more people etc or quieter. Anyway we were stood in "Bushy Ground" and he told us it was the first year they were opening it up for camping so we ended up there. It wasn't strictly a family orientated field, but it was quiet and the drop downs (however gross they all are) seemed the be the cleanest I'd come across throughout the festival. I'll be camping there again this year!

[vinylvictim]

thatcats, on 19 April 2011 - 12:50 PM, said:

Exactly the same experience here, Cockmill was full to bursting point by lunchtime Wednesday whereas Wicket Ground was lovely with lots of space all weekend. My daughter was 11 last year so for the first time didn't want to spend much time in the Kidz Field (I was very sad that she was growing out of it!) but I thought it was a shame for other families who were camped in Wicket Ground with younger children as it was quite a trek to the Kidz Field from there.  

Wicket Ground reminded me of how I had remembered Cockmill back in 2002 when the stewards were only allowing families to camp there and the total number of tickets sold for Glastonbury was a lot less than last year.

My wee lad's 6 and whilst it was a trek to get there it just meant I had to make sure I was properly organised before we set off. We got used to it pretty quickly, and the space to play around the tent more than made up for any inconvenience.

[lea7784]

my 2 boys are 4 n 8 and we went without them last year but  and im sorry for know knowing the name of the field but  it was right next to the yellow gate  i will happily camp there with my boys and there was no trouble at all

[Wickedfaerie]

I really must recommend Wicket family camping. I know it is a lot further to walk to anything, let alone all the way to the kidz field, but my daughter camped there with her friends last year, and I was amazed at how peaceful and roomy the place was - it was like a little haven. Needed more loos, but I know the stewards are on to that. If you're after peace and quiet - and space to push the pushchair around - go there. Stewards at the other one should direct people there when it starts to get too full.

[beodeejay]

Wickedfaerie, on 19 April 2011 - 09:08 PM, said:

I really must recommend Wicket family camping. I know it is a lot further to walk to anything, let alone all the way to the kidz field, but my daughter camped there with her friends last year, and I was amazed at how peaceful and roomy the place was - it was like a little haven. Needed more loos, but I know the stewards are on to that. If you're after peace and quiet - and space to push the pushchair around - go there. Stewards at the other one should direct people there when it starts to get too full.

Fair enough - but it is MILES to the kids & circus fields from there - more so for little legs.

I have camped in Family field since 98 - our group has had kids from 8 months up to 18yrs over the years.  

The issue in Family Camping is the large groups of "extended family" camps, with maybe one or two older kids but often 10 or more adults.

Given the proximity to the kids field, it is simply not on to allow groups of late teens and twenty somethings, with parents & parents friends, to hog the field intended for the families with kids up to about 15....

Whilst they are no doubt groups of family members, rather than mates, in the last few years there are noticeably more groups that have few, if any, kids under 15 - so they aren't using the adjacent kidz field.  The nature of these older families is also to have largish camps with big tents.

Probably the "original" kids field families just getting older, and returning there out of habit - fair enough, except the field is next to an area for younger teens and kids.

When I used to go without kids pre 98, I camped on the hill opposite the pyramid - party central back in the day -  but just as I wouldn't camp there with kids, I don't expect groups who could/should camp elsewhere to pitch up in family camping.... it isn't fair on the "little legs", or the parents of younger kids.

In past years the Stewards have definitely been stricter about who pitches there.....this should return.  All it needs is a polite request to the go over to the East side, or camp in the adjacent field just over Muddy Lane.

No kids, no pitching..... certainly on Wed...maybe relax the rule if not full by Thu PM.

[dondo]

beodeejay, on 19 April 2011 - 09:56 PM, said:

Fair enough - but it is MILES to the kids & circus fields from there - more so for little legs.

I have camped in Family field since 98 - our group has had kids from 8 months up to 18yrs over the years.  

The issue in Family Camping is the large groups of "extended family" camps, with maybe one or two older kids but often 10 or more adults.

Given the proximity to the kids field, it is simply not on to allow groups of late teens and twenty somethings, with parents & parents friends, to hog the field intended for the families with kids up to about 15....

Whilst they are no doubt groups of family members, rather than mates, in the last few years there are noticeably more groups that have few, if any, kids under 15 - so they aren't using the adjacent kidz field.  The nature of these older families is also to have largish camps with big tents.

Probably the "original" kids field families just getting older, and returning there out of habit - fair enough, except the field is next to an area for younger teens and kids.

When I used to go without kids pre 98, I camped on the hill opposite the pyramid - party central back in the day -  but just as I wouldn't camp there with kids, I don't expect groups who could/should camp elsewhere to pitch up in family camping.... it isn't fair on the "little legs", or the parents of younger kids.

In past years the Stewards have definitely been stricter about who pitches there.....this should return.  All it needs is a polite request to the go over to the East side, or camp in the adjacent field just over Muddy Lane.

No kids, no pitching..... certainly on Wed...maybe relax the rule if not full by Thu PM.

Not planning on taking the kids this year but will be aiming to do so in 2013 when they'll be 6 and 4 and the fact that Cockmill Meadow fills up so quickly does concern me as it is very close to the Kidz Field where I imagine we'll spend a fair bit of time.  the thought of coming through Gate B to be told it's full and having to trek all the way to Wickets which in turn is a trek from Kidz and Circus isn't an appealing thought.

It means getting there as the gates open which as we'll be driving down from Leeds may not be easy.

[indisguise]

The map for this year has Cockmill as family camping only, so maybe they are going back to restricting Cockmill camping again??? Hope so as they have taken the top half of the field for recycling  

[duggie20]

shiff, on 09 November 2010 - 09:52 PM, said:

mmm like the idea of a trailer tent. never been in one but does look a lot easier to tow.

We got one last year £500 off ebay end of summer when they are a bit cheaper so this year will be in cv field-mainly for the family i would rather tent it myself