20 replies to this topic

[Filthy]

Since 2007 I've aimed for Park/Pennards/Holts and always parked in West car parks. However last year we seemed to be parked in the furthest place possible across the main road and it took ages, despite arriving about 9am Weds. I've always avoided East because of the "hill of death" but if it's likely to be a quicker journey to Pennards etc then I'm willing to take the chance. Thoughts?

[ukslim]

The hill of death is NOTHING. I don't know why people go on about it.

[al_coholic]

If you are camping in a tent and only have to make a couple of trips its nothing to worry about, if you are in a campervan you get a bit fed up of it over the course of 6 days.

[jodicool]

Last year the hill of death was an absolute bitch in the heat...  especially on monday morning after 5 nights of party!

[Aragorn]

funny you bought this up as I too was in west 51 across the road last year and coupled with the queue I reckon it actually took longer to reach pennards from Gate D than Gate C would of been

The hill of death is not a hill of death at all really although in wet weather it would be an absolute bitch.  It is steep though and takes effort getting back up it on the Monday, although with no so much to take out than in is a little easier

[Tuska]

Go west young man.....

[amfy]

We usually use West parking for our camping spot which has been Dairy/Paines but last year we got diverted to East. East is definitely further because after you get through the car parks (which can also be pretty expansive), you have acres of campervan fields (you wouldn't believe how many!), and even when you finally get through the gates you are on the wrong side of the site with no quick and easy way to get where you are going (dropping down through theatre/cicus/avalon to get to the railway track is about as good as it gets).

Parking in East was so bad for us that when we went back for our second load, we actually decided to move the car to west - which was loads better!

Nothing to do with the hill of death, it's just that how far out you end up parked on either side is down to luck, and West is just so much easier when you get in because you are pretty much straight onto the railway track.

[The Pink Peril]

Not a great pic (and I don't know the blokes in it, they were just standing behind me   )



First time last year so have only done it in the dry (and only on the way in / out, not every day). Yeah a pain when fully loaded on the Monday, but not a huge deal.

[psychology]

We've been in the east campervan fields for the last 2 years so have to climb it at least once a day sometimes more if we wanted to go back for something. Don't know where it's got its name from, probably named by someone on a Monday morning after a good Glastonbury and a load of camping gear, but with just a normal level of fitness you can be up it in a couple of minutes.

[Spindles]

I've always come in from the west.  I heard that last year the queues were lighter on the eastern side (but that might just be rumour of no value at all)

[GingerRock]

Hill of death ain't so bad. You've drunk all your beer, your stuff is lighter, you're still half asleep. It's fine.

[Wickedfaerie]

The only time we ever parked the East side was in '98 in the mud. It took a couple of hours at the end because you just kept sliding down it again. Sounds like fun in a way, but not when you're 7 months pregnant, have a 3 yr old with wellies full of mud who keeps falling over, while you're trying to carry stuff and my husband pulling the trolley was struggling even worse because it clogged with mud and constantly pulled him down again. I would NEVER risk it again!

I remember walking up it in dry weather once, but I can't remember why. That was fine. But still, in case it rains (which of course, it won't) I'd always park West.

[jamseyboy]

It aint no hill of death more a lump of minor misery.....but only when knackered with too much cider sloshing around the old guts. Its no different than walking up to the stone circle only a little shorter and sharper.....and easier if you walk a little to the side along the grass.

[drewsstrat]

Its not an issue if your camping, as its a  downhill drag on the way in  - i guess most people will be lighter going home and not in so much a hurry. So park depending on where you want to camp

Having said that there is a pinchpoint at bottom of hill where pedestrian gate crosses with road;
They have a rotational system of letting batches in at any one time - can take a while; UNCOMFORTABLE FULLY LOADED IN HEAT!! please bring water.

We stay in campervan east, and made the trip back and for each day. Yes, after a day on your feet it can be trying, its not so bad.

There is a field that runs parallel with a gentler slope - when at the top you can get back through a gap in fence to campervan fields

[Filthy]

cheers for all of your advice! The conclusion seems to be, not to worry about the hill but West is still best for Pennards/Park as you can't be sure how far out you'll be in the carparks in East either and the journey onsite is easier

Edited by Filthy, 20 April 2011 - 07:06 AM.

[jono_01]

It's sound when it's dry. Can be a bit err lairy when wet and muddy if you're fully laden.

Seen it happen a few times people's crates of beer splitting and cans rolling all over the place - so be aware! But as the majority have said, its not that bad at all although in my opinion, the pic above doesn't do it justice!

Wouldn't even allow it to be a factor when considering where to park to be honest. Enjoy

[dave_hales]

jodicool, on 19 April 2011 - 03:08 PM, said:

Last year the hill of death was an absolute bitch in the heat...  especially on monday morning after 5 nights of party!

+1

[Party-'Scatter'!]

I ended up in the furthest car park when in East it seemed like miles away.  I would never park there again!

[duggie20]

as most people have said it's not that bad-2007 after the bad weather it was a pig when we left monday morning after 5 days of rain

[gooner1990]

Went up it on the Monday after 2007 -  would rather not repeat that again....always used Ped Gate B ever since!