Your favourite Camping Ground..

[Lubic]

Arrived by coach mid afternoon Thurs in 2011 and ended up in Bushy Ground. Leaving the car park, we didn't know where we were going really. Not far from the gate we were walking past people camped in slush right up against the path - feared the worst!

But when Bushy was in sight we knew we were fine - plenty of space, clean, and easy access to a main route. Filled up to a nice level by Friday. Only negative was being a trek away from the south east side so didn't really get to know that area too well. Will probably end up there again though as we will be arriving at a similar time.

Edited April 10, 2014 by Lubic87

[Gnomicide]

Bushy Ground fans - can I also please ask if there is a lock up in the vicinity? I can't find my map...

[MrsRookin]

There is one at the end as you go into Silver Hayes.

[LondonTom]

Bushy Ground might be a bit more packed this year then?

Might go for it myself this year as I'm getting the coach, I am not going be bothered by treking to far across the site!

[MrsRookin]

We've always camped in Rivermead as usually get the coach - lovely chilled field, neighbours have been nice enough although not particularly social, plenty of space.

However last year the crushes in Silver Hayes put us off walking through that way (and in 2011 the mud in the area was full-on glue). As a result I am going to drive this year, we will come in via gate D so thinking Dairy or Bushy. Have walked through Bushy Ground several times (long way back to Rivermead to avoid Silver Hayes) and it has seemed quite similar in terms of space and atmosphere.

[jeffie]

Bushy Ground is lovely.....

[lotsof_freckles]

So, I've basically concluded that you could camp anywhere and still have a pretty good time.. And that you just need to accept the fact that you'll get no sleep..

As long as I'm not directly next to the toilets or the bins, I'm good

[Dog Burger]

Bushy Ground is lovely.....

[AdamWillingham]

Is it? I've never camped there, but from looking at the map it looks to be one of the sites that's outside where the old fence used to be, in what used to be the West Car Parks. That strikes me as feeling superficially outside the festival, behind the fence behind the farmhouse there, and lack in atmosphere. Is it good there? What are it's qualities?

[Trebor]

All those reasons, plus not too packed and the toilets were spotless last year.

[GlastoSoon]

So, I've basically concluded that you could camp anywhere and still have a pretty good time.. And that you just need to accept the fact that you'll get no sleep..

As long as I'm not directly next to the toilets or the bins, I'm good

[jeffie]

It's nice if you want some peace and quiet at times but still be relatively close to dance village and JP. It is right next to the farm house and you're right up against the fence if camping nearer the back of the field. But if its a good nights sleep and friendly people you're looking for then this is it. Also its a good place if you're turning up late as it never got to 'full' capacity last year

[**claire**]

Looks like there is....

[Lubic]

Is it? I've never camped there, but from looking at the map it looks to be one of the sites that's outside where the old fence used to be, in what used to be the West Car Parks. That strikes me as feeling superficially outside the festival, behind the fence behind the farmhouse there, and lack in atmosphere. Is it good there? What are it's qualities?

[Aragorn]

Camped at

Row Mead

Kidney Beans....I mean Mead

Pennards

Big Ground

I loved Row Mead back in 2002 as you could see the pyramid and it was my first time so it was all new. Wouldn't camp there again though as I have only watched something on the pyramid about 4 times in 8 years

Kidney Bean was prolly my fave - first time camped with Efests people and it was superb.

Pennards is ok, camped there 4 times - it is bigged well up on here - personally I don't get it. Lively place though

Big Ground - camped there 2 years ago, was ok but very long walk to greenfields etc

[Helephantelope]

Camped in Big Ground both times I've been, the first time we ended up directly under a pylon in 2007 which was... interesting to say the least! We were determined to make the best of it and were sat around our campfire under umbrellas and kept getting little shocks through the handle!

Last year we were in the same field but further away from the pylons and it was great! I like the atmosphere there, and being able to see (or at least hear) whoever's playing first while I crawl out of my tent to make a cuppa.

I've found it's also good spot if you're going with newbies as you can just tell them to aim for the Pyramid and wait at the tree then meet them there.

I've seen various people now mention flushing toilets that are not too far from this area, please can someone enlighten me? I'll keep it a secret I promise!

[Pinhead]

If you camped under the pylon lines in Big Ground, the flushers are around 50m or so up the hill along the main path through that ground.

[Helephantelope]

Thanks Mr/Ms Pinhead, much appreciated!

[bekimo]

... Rivermead and Pylon seemed a bit more isolated...

[Lubic]

We camped in Rivermead last year. It was fantastic. It wasn't anywhere near as cramped as I'm used to at festivals and everyone around us was lovely. The stewards onside were fabulous too and came over to chat. (We did give them BBQ food, so this could have been why!!)

It was also really close to the silver Hayes area which was great in the evening. Yes it's miles away from SE corner but it's only a bit of walking!

Getting to pyramid etc was so much easier when we realised that rather than fighting the horrendous crowds through silver Hayes, we could go through john peel field!

I think this year we will go back to rivermead if the weather forecast is all dry! Otherwise, we'll move to next field up for a bit of distance from the river!

[MrPink]

We were in Baileys last year (at least i think that's where is was). It was great. We don't tend to go back to our camp during the day to restock, so the location wasn't an issue in that sense. We were right next to the trees that seperate the two fields, which worked out perfectly in the mornings to keep the tent cool. The field was relatively full, but not crowded. The atmosphere suited us perfectly in that it wasn't dead at the end of the night but at the same time it wasn't a case of having to endure pissed up feral teenagers or the whoooosh of balloons. It was more a case of having a chat to the people in and around the campsite and ending the days on a relaxing note.

[dingbat2]

We have comped in Pylon Ground the last 3 festivals and love it. Very quiet, which suits me as a 40+ old who needs his sleep. Easy to get to, doesn't fill up, we get their Thursday afternoon and there's still plenty of space - and it is incredibly good location for JP / Silver Hayes area, and the car parks near to Gate A, very short trek to the field (couple of minutes walk from Gate A). Nice relaxed vibe in my opinion, feel very safe there, if somewhat quiet. Don't go there if you want loads of action at 4am which I don't.

[michael eavis' beard]

Park Home Ground for us. Usually try for a similar area of the field each year too provided we get there earlier enough - makes coming home each night a lot easier! A few years ago I was wandering around at some ungodly hour in the morning trying to find my tent and convinced myself our entire camp had been moved. A few minutes later I realised that I was stood in Dairy! Dick!

[Bisque]

Used to camp in Kidney Mead but we always found it cramped & hard to set up tents close to each other so decided on Dairy & much prefer it there. Convenient charity lockers & all day (although crap) food

[Nickyboy]

Generally if you're arriving on Thursday, Gate A / D are the best gates to come in on. All those fields on the 'left hand side' of the map (Bushy, Darble, Pylon, Rivermead) have space, and its just a matter of choosing a spot / likely looking / friendly neighbours. It's certainly not as lively as some areas, but its pretty quiet after 1am and you can get a decent nights kip if that's important to you (it certainly is to old boys like me).....