So... How were the Tipis last year?

[Frukoz]

Our group is thinking of going for tipis this year to avoid the stress of finding a spot/queuing. Read a few horror stories about 2013 though. Wondering if they had sorted out that mess? How were the shower and toilets? Any theft? Were you dry?

Cheers.

[ghandi]

I thought of this but £950 smackers between 6 people, plus ticket, cheaper to camp. I would be interested in reading replies for future reference though.

[CaledonianGonzo]

They'd switched things around a bit, but I didn't notice any massive improvement - particularly as they'd seemingly just about doubled the number of actual tipis in the field.

[theouterlimits]

Have done tipis twice now. Biggest advatnage of tipis is more space around where you sleep. Toilets last year were no better than the standard composters, showers have a ludicrous queue (unless you want to shower during times when fun stuff is happening elsewhere on site)

Also by the nature of people who use tipis, they are targeted far more by thieves. Heard about a number of wallet robberies going on overnight.

That said, it's pretty good value on a per person per night basis if you put 6 people in and arrive on the Weds. It also makes you feel much fresher during the festival which is obviously invaluable on the Sunday in particular.

Also, it's very nice to be able to stroll down to the Park Stage, and to consider the Stonebridge Bar your local!

I will be getting a tipi again if possible this year.

[Frukoz]

Have done tipis twice now. Biggest advatnage of tipis is more space around where you sleep. Toilets last year were no better than the standard composters, showers have a ludicrous queue (unless you want to shower during times when fun stuff is happening elsewhere on site)

Also by the nature of people who use tipis, they are targeted far more by thieves. Heard about a number of wallet robberies going on overnight.

That said, it's pretty good value on a per person per night basis if you put 6 people in and arrive on the Weds. It also makes you feel much fresher during the festival which is obviously invaluable on the Sunday in particular.

Also, it's very nice to be able to stroll down to the Park Stage, and to consider the Stonebridge Bar your local!

I will be getting a tipi again if possible this year.

Thanks - v useful. Were the showers hot do you know?

[CaledonianGonzo]

I'm surprsied at talk of there being more robberies last year. The security had been conspicuously beefed up from 2013 and a new fence built.

As for the showers, I've never bothered due to the queues, but I think they're solar so you'll be doing well to get a lukewarm one.

[Frukoz]

I'm surprsied at talk of there being more robberies last year. The security had been conspicuously beefed up from 2013 and a new fence built.

As for the showers, I've never bothered due to the queues, but I think they're solar so you'll be doing well to get a lukewarm one.

Cheers. Oh another question is how easy are they to book? Do you have to be quick?

[CaledonianGonzo]

Honmestly couldn't tell you how long it is before they sell out as I've usually got my finger on the trigger from the get go - but I assume that it's pretty quickly.

There was a bit of a snarlup last year and they didn't go onsale immediately, though.

[morph100]

I was going tipi until I got a caravan delivered to site for £475, got a lock on the door so less thievery, downside is it's a bit out the action and have to go through security every day, still its half price and I can get a good nights sleep when needed.

Previously done normal tents for 6 or 7 years then motorhomes for last 4 years, still not done tipi and this is my first year of caravaning.

[Frukoz]

Honmestly couldn't tell you how long it is before they sell out as I've usually got my finger on the trigger from the get go - but I assume that it's pretty quickly.

There was a bit of a snarlup last year and they didn't go onsale immediately, though.

Fire Pit any good?

[kalifire]

I had a tipi strategy lined up but gradually lost members of the group I was going to share with so unfortunately I've had to abandon that plan. The real draw for me was the lack of stress about where to camp, carrying lighter baggage and not having to set up. So laziness, basically.

[The Nal]

Whos doing a tipi this year?

[russycarps]

one of the toilets ran out of toilet paper on the sunday and the water temperature of the showers dipped below 80degrees for an hour on the saturday

so everyone demanded their money back again.

[The Nal]

Immeasurable amounts of stress on the poor folks I'm sure.

[CaledonianGonzo]

Whos doing a tipi this year?

God willing

[CaledonianGonzo]

Two years ago you just added it to your basket at the same time as your deposit.

Last year I didn't use the main sale, but think there were issues with them not going onsale immediately at 9am.

[Stone_Love]

There's 6 in our group but we've gone for 2 bell tents that sleep 4 each. Really looking forward to just being able to have fun as soon as we arrive. No carrying ordeal!!

[tombertb]

yea, that was me. I was on so quick there was a message - in error - saying they were sold out already. Turned out they were just a bit slow off the mark...!

Other than the error, how quickly did they sell out?

I'm praying it's not an F5 job just to get to the screen?

[tombertb]

All I know is that when I enquired a few hours later when they might be going on sale, I found out they'd already sold out. I explained what had happened to me so they put me at the top of a waiting list, and the next day I'd booked one.

Ok thanks, so you need to be reasonably quick.

Are the facilities good themselves? I'm presuming the toilets are slightly better standard than the usuals around.

Only concerned as I'm taking my dad this year and being 60, he'll require a little more comfort.

[alibobbin]

All I know is that when I enquired a few hours later when they might be going on sale, I found out they'd already sold out. I explained what had happened to me so they put me at the top of a waiting list, and the next day I'd booked one.

So can you go on a waiting list for one if you don't get one immediately? Who did you email? 4 of us trying to get one, and I'm dreading it like ticket day again tomorrow morning!

[CaledonianGonzo]

Are the facilities good themselves? I'm presuming the toilets are slightly better standard than the usuals around.

Only concerned as I'm taking my dad this year and being 60, he'll require a little more comfort.

The facilities are no better or worse than the rest of the site. Last year they had the new compost toilets, but they were already trashed with doors hanging off and so on by the Thursday night.

As per, we ended up mostly using the longdrops at the top of Pennards.

[CaledonianGonzo]

So can you go on a waiting list for one if you don't get one immediately? Who did you email? 4 of us trying to get one, and I'm dreading it like ticket day again tomorrow morning!

Watch you don't end up with 4 of them. I don't think they're refundable...

[alibobbin]

Watch you don't end up with 4 of them. I don't think they're refundable...

Sorry I mean there's me trying to get 1 for 4 of us. Don't have the funds for 4 of them! haha.

Gonna be on the F5 button waiting at 9am. Always wanted to get a Tipi but this is the first year anyone else has been up for it.

Not for any sort of luxury, just the experience, plus I understand they are cooler when hot outside?

[tombertb]

Watch you don't end up with 4 of them. I don't think they're refundable...

I'm sure if that were to happen you would find some takers on here!

Disappointing about the toilets, I thought given the expense they may be slightly better.

Ah well.

[russycarps]

I'm sure if that were to happen you would find some takers on here!

Disappointing about the toilets, I thought given the expense they may be slightly better.

Ah well.

the toilets are only as "good" as the people who use them.

and the toffs in the tipis are no better than the serfs in the normal camping areas.