First time with a baby and a campervan

gorfield · April 24, 2014

Hi,

I have been going to festivals for a long time and have been to many Glastonburys, sunny, muddy.. a bit of everything really and to be honest the sunny year was the hardest!!.

Last year nearly broke me having to carry all my stuff from a car park that was so far away it was OVER the main road and I decided that I couldn't do that again and didn't get a ticket.I got a ticket for kendal as I thought it would be less work lugging all your stuff about but the line up is abysmal.

I have now decided that we could go in a camper and take our almost 2 year old with us.. ( if I can get tickets in the resale) But having a look round on the internet I have seen horror stories about 1.5 hour walks to the stages, pushing buggies up massive hills in the campervan fields..

Can anyone who has done similar please advise me on how difficult it really is? we are also thinking of arriving late thursday or friday am which could be an issue with how far away we will be.

I don't want to pay all that money and travel so far to just have a slog all weekend, I want to enjoy my time. I am not scared of a bit of work but don't want it to be so hard that I can't relax.

I suppose the weather will count for a lot.

Thanks

carlosj · April 24, 2014

Hi, you can't reserve a spot in the family fields, but if you get a CV ticket, try contacting the GF office to see if there are spaces likely to be available when you do turn up. These are nearer to the gates.

How about a trolley to pull, instead of a buggy to push? The larger ones can take your buggy, to make it safer and more comfortable. You know the festival, so you'll know you'll need a slim trolley to move around on the ground as the metal paths will be chocker. Another thought, maybe use a papoose, and collect your buggy from a lock up when you need it?

I don't have kids, so this is all conjecture, hope it helps

**acidstorm523** · April 26, 2014

I've got 3 kids, big enough to walk around now, but I used to take them that small..trolley definitely your best option to carry all the spare clothing, food blanket, place to sleep etc..make a makeshift awning for if it rains..by far the best option. And as mentioned, take a sling too

This is the trolley we used, they do a large version too

http://www.cheapmowers.com/acatalog/Handy_Garden_Trolley_Small.html?gclid=CPLYpvz5_b0CFWzJtAodyEkAcw

Take a bike lock and attach it to your van bumper at night...have fun!

Bexxxxx · April 26, 2014

We usually stay in East CV fields and took our son last year (aged 5 months). He's coming again this year.

It is a bit of a hike to the gates, and up a bit of a slope. But we've never found it that much bother and it wasn't too bad with the buggy to be honest. Just be aware you may need a little burst of energy to get to the top after a long day . With the east CV fields, you come in gate C and are immediately right in the middle of the circus and cabaret fields which I love. Yes, it's a bit further to the main stages, but you are entertained on your way

We chose to go for a 3-wheel off road buggy rather than a trolley last year. We took baby carriers too, but didn't use them in the end. The buggy was easier, and our son could sleep in it whenever he liked. I can see that a trolley may be easier if you have more than one child or need to carry a lot, but we found the buggy easier to manoeuvre in crowds. The only time it started to struggle a bit was in the really bad rain on Friday - in thick mud it was harder going. Remember You can always leave it in a lock up for a bit if you don't need it.

We plan to take the 3 wheeler again this year, weather dependent. If it's really wet, we may have to rethink. I quite like the look of those bike trailers for kids too.

Not sure about arriving Thursday eve of Friday. We arrived early Wednesday last year and made it into the family CV fields, which were certainly a little closer than we'd been in previous years. Not sure how quickly the family fields fill up though.

I love taking a campervan - just drive up and you're all sorted. Don't think I could hack carrying all my gear in anymore, particularly with a little one.