Campervan field East or West?

[timngaby]

Hi All, I'm new to the camper van scene this year. Can anyone tell me the main difference between East and West? Also any other advice like time to arrive leave etc. Cheers

[jeffie]

The main difference is one is nearer to Wales and the other is nearer to France.

Sorry.....

[GrowlerPhil]

My first time last year and we stayed in the West CV getting in and out was very easy and it was surprising. We arrived about 6pm on the Wednesday and left about 6am on Monday. West is basically two fields East is a lot bigger and I suspect the closest spots to the gate are taken up very early.

My advice is think about where you think you'll be spending most of your time. West is good for The OS and The Park as both are less than 30 minutes walk away. If you'll be spending your time at WH and the Acoustic then choose East. If you're going to pick East get there as early as possible because if you get one of the fields at the back the distance from there to The OS and JP looks like a mammoth walk possibly 50minutes away.

If you pick West pay for your ticket and CV tickets as early as possible as West is likely to sell out quickly dues it's size.

I couldn't fault the West site. Toilets are pretty good it's a flat walk back and it's a good atmosphere. I hope this helps

[grumpyhack]

We've always gone East because it's nearer to the Acoustic and WH, which is where we are more likely to end up at the end of the night.

The downside is that it has the 'Hill of Death' - a steep walk up at the end of the night. It's OK if it's not too muddy and you pace yourself. The upside is that you have a glorious view from the top.

Another downside to East which we experienced last time was a big detour leaving the site as all traffic was directed in the opposite direction to the route we wanted to take home.

[artl]

West is closer to the "arena" gates and easier to get in and out of. East has the hill - but it is not so bad. I seem to think that the East filed is closer to the action as it were. West is a longer walk in

[PaulieV]

My first time in a campervan last year and opted for East, all previous years I'd camped near the fence out towards West.

Firstly, the hill of death isn't that bad. East is massive so be prepared that you could have a good walk before you get to the gates each day. However it does take you into parts of Glasto that I often didn't spend much time in when I camped on the other side. A good way to start the day is a chilling in the circus area or acoustic and watching the random performers that are walking around doing there thing. It's also closest to the Naughty Corner so you wouldn't have to walk miles along the railway track at the end of your day.

Not sure why but I found the campervan field more friendly than camping. Perhaps it's because people chill out a bit longer by their van, perhaps it's the camaraderie of shared smugness over having a campervan to sleep in each night. Everyone around our van last year was super friendly.

Enjoy your van year, it's a completely different festival experience to being in a tent. One trap we fell into last year and have vowed to avoid in 2014, is be disciplined and get up and out of the van at a sensible time, it's easy to potter for two hours once you're up and them miss stuff in the festival.

Edited March 26, 2014 by PaulieV

[Neville Street]

We have been in East the last few years, and last time got in early then went off to catch our coach in!!

We want to be in West this time, but not sure if it is going to be possible to drop the van en route to our coach start point (Bristol). Did any West users get their vans in pre-festival last year?

Thanks, NS

[grumpyhack]

Two alternatives to a camper van worth considering, whether you go East or West, are a trailer tent and a caravan. I've had both. I still have the trailer tent stored in mother in law's garage, and am now on my second caravan.

Once you've stepped up to a caravan you won't want to go back to a camper for long fests. The joy of big, comfortable beds, a proper shower and toilet takes a lot of beating.

[TheNewUnion]

I agree with Grumpy, I'm on my second trailer tent. The 1st was a huge, cheap old thing that met it's maker when the floor gave up it was replaced with an even older (put mint condition) Dandy Delta that I can't wait to use. Easy to tow cheap compared to a van, comfy beds and a nice big awning for chilling out before/after the days adventures) Highly recommended.

Also, I know I have asked this question before, but is there a way to get into East, when travelling from the North West without having to go through Bristol (which is a faff at best).

Cheers

TNU

[Miss Jane Marple]

My recollection of East is the long queues in and out. Security are bastards and seemed to revel in making life as difficult as possible, particularly late at night when all you wanted to do was get out. West is a lot smaller, there are no queues and security is laid back.

[TheNewUnion]

I did find the queuing system on the way into the festival each day a bit of a faff (though did see a bloke get collared for queue jumping, which was nice).

Never had a problem on the way out though.

[Miss Jane Marple]

Maybe Glastonbury got rid of the thugs and now employ a nicer type of security guard for the east campervan gate. I just recall being harrassed by them four times a day for a week, which got really tedious. Dolly Bantry said she was going to stick it to the man but I calmed her down with a couple of drags from my camberwell carrott.

[markrkp]

We (five of us) had a campervan in the West campervan fields in 2011. Same fields this year, but using a caravan. Won't be able to charge the battery like we could before, but will still have a few luxuries. Being outside the perimeter and having to pass through security each time was a slight pain - but easier when using West.

Pros of West:

Only 1000 vans \ 2 fields

Dedicated security entrance

Easy to get in and out of the site

Cons of West:

A fair walk through campsites to the stages

Pros of East:

Nearer to the festival - if you get a nearer field to the entrance

Cons of East:

4500 vans \ about 10 fields

Hill of death on way back

Shared entrace - queueing

[partrige]

First year capervaning it ourselves. Main reason being we will have a two month old baby with us. Undecided to go for ages we have decided to try this option as it just wouldn't be possible otherwise. Looking at comments west would seem the better option. But large crowds I suppose would be my main worry of the weekend. Would that be an issue here? Or is the whole plan a crazy idea altogether. Convince me. We are paying for the tickets tomorrow.

[Neville Street]

Van would be better with a baby in my opinion. Even the Family camping fields inside the fence are rammed, and it is just too much of an all round faff. All the van fields are quieter, somewhere sane to chill out with a tiny baby.

Others I am sure will say it's fine inside the fence, but it wouldn't be for me. We took our youngest to smaller less crowded festies from that age, but never Glastonbury.

A buggy on the big hill from East will be tricky if it gets muddy, but one of you can carry the baby in a sling/back pack for that bit if you intend to use a buggy around the site. Reasonably big wheels will help, a McLaren buggy in a wet year will just be a kind of mud sled that you drag around.

West fields are sold out now, so you should probably pay asap in the morning to secure an East ticket.

[jazzylaz]

We stayed in the west campervan field. As others have said its a bit of a walk back at night. I'd say about 30mins and is a slow slightly increasing walk up hill , (or more if you're walking a bit skew-whiff !) from silver Hayes, hell stage/ stone circles side. Annoying thing is it could be easier but you can't walk straight across The Park as it's blocked off for celebs!! So ALL the way around! It's a nice smallish two fields with very clean long drop loos and water and sewerage facilities. Security are great, really nice guys. There's a burger van for food,snacks,drinks. Caravan drop off is only available in the east but I'm sure glasto office may help anyone with questions. We loved it but may go with east this year as that walk back was quite annoying. You are outside the festival so constant scrutiny of your ticket , wristband and bags in and out. Hope this helps!!

[youngatheart]

quick question i have west camping this year but i have to go to work wed/thursday can i leave site in my car and get back in...

[Nicki0155]

Me and my friends have 2 Motorhome spaces on the East Camp. This is the first time to Glasto for all of us. 2 of our friends will putting up a small tent next to us. If they buy a car parking pass can they park their car next to our MH's or will it need to be left in the normal parking sites.

[GlastoLuvvinJock]

We stayed in my folding camper in West last year and I would give it 9.99 out of ten. Had a great time with fellow campers of all ages, great mix of fun when wanted and sleep when required (which wasn't often). Only minor downsides were the delay in the construction of the toilets on the Tuesday (once built they were the composting sawdust ones so worth the wait) and the slightly long walk home at the end of the day. Apart from that I must admit it was an amazing festival experience and probably topped camping the general camping which I had done for many years. I was so impressed I thought I would show how weird I was and decided to ignore my instincts and book East this year just so I have something to compare it too. I cannot bloody wait for another Glasto experience

[Funkyfairy!]

Me and my friends have 2 Motorhome spaces on the East Camp. This is the first time to Glasto for all of us. 2 of our friends will putting up a small tent next to us. If they buy a car parking pass can they park their car next to our MH's or will it need to be left in the normal parking sites.

[alex17]

For the last few years I've stayed in the East (mainly because my friends were in there too) but as other people have said I've found the security to be getting worse when re-entering the site and the queues last year were horrendous. So as its just me and my girlfriend I've decided to go West (waiting for the pet shop boys joke) this year... sounds a lot more chilled out and easier to get in and out of!

Does anyone know if I have take a different route when driving to the site?

[rmcoboy]

We caravanned last year for the first time after several years of camping (mostly with the kids too). Got to East campervan around 4pm on the Tuesday and chilled out. It was a long drive from Yorkshire but so worth it when you light the BBQ and kick back in the sun a day before everyone else arrives.

The Hill of Death was exaggerated as you can walk across the contours rather than just tackle a big steep climb, although granted this was in a pretty low-mud Glasto. Gotta say the benefits of caravanning (and ours was only £1500 off fleabay) i.e. comfy bed, a sink, loo and more room to stock booze & food together with not having to carry your stuff miles easily outweighed the slightly longer walk back to bed at night. Not sure we'll return to canvas any time soon!

Be good to hear your experiences of West, think we're going East again this year though.

[NeufNeuf]

Be good to hear your experiences of West, think we're going East again this year though.

[rmcoboy]

Like to live dangerously. Nah, the Missus sorted it out. 99% sure its East.