Camping spots

[Franky]

4 minutes ago, incident said:

You'll probably be OK, but the biggest variable there is Gate B - when it works it's fine, but it does seem to be more susceptible to issues than the others.

Thanks mate, It's years since I have used Gate B, we used to camp up by the farm before it went to crew camping. I cant even remember which car park I want to head for or the best route in from the M4. Also are the fields sign posted ? I honestly cant remember and probaby haven't noticed before as we always arrive as one group, this year we are all arriving in dribs and drabs, pain in the arse !

[PorkSoda]

3 hours ago, Tuna said:

Hi Pork. We camp in Park Home every year. Normally 20+ of us there by 10am and we can all fit in together. Beautiful location - near the path (milk + SE corner returns), 2 sets of loos, & The Park is very accessible. Basically because I spend most of my time flitting between the Park and the rest, I can pick a couple of tins up every couple hours without having to take much of a detour. Crowd is good - most people stay out late because of Arcadia - not as young or crowded as Pennards, but just as good in terms of location imo. It's the sort of place you could squeeze a 2 man in on Thursday morning for your friends that are on the coach, or whatever. 

 

4 hours ago, BenLFC said:

We camp in Park Home pretty much next to Arcadia. The noise from that is obviously booming until 3am but then it's pretty quiet and you just get a few people walking through to the other campsites. The atmosphere isn't too party central but it's definitely not quiet. I like it for how close it is to either The Park or Other. Plus there's a little market just through the tree line in dairy which does some banging food. 

Cheers guys, sounds pretty perfect for us, i think we'll give it a go this year. That's if we don't give up on the way from the coaches and camp somewhere nearer to that gate

[verrymerry]

3 hours ago, Hugh Jass said:

I've always found Pennards to be over rated, camped there a few times but it's always been heaving and not worth the hassle. Dragon Field was ace but I don't think it's there any more.

Paines would be my choice, similar to Pennards in terms of location but not as busy.

Dragon is crew camping now 

1 hour ago, Chipbarm said:

One morning he just kept shouting  FATTY

. nothing like waking up to the guilt of last nights greasy burger

[wiremog]

8 hours ago, kalifire said:

Ive always been tempted by Row Mead or anywhere at the top of the Pyramid. That also gets rammed straight away. Is there any advantage to that spot? Must be popular for a reason. 

I camped at Big Ground in 2015 and loved it. You get amazing views down to the Pyramid and over the rest of the site, it's right near compost loos (good for when you're not feeling so fresh in the morning and can't face the long drops), and it's a 5 min walk down the slope to the pyramid/market area. Friendly people and fairly chilled up there. It does get busy but we rocked up around lunchtime and found a great spot for a 4-man and a small 2-man.

[BluePaul]

Used to camp mostly in Hawkwell until the CV fields beckoned.  On a bit of a slope, but reasonably central with (restricted) views of the Pyramid.  Nice loos next to Lulu's Cafe.  Does tend to make you a bit Pyramid-centric though but good for dropping back in the middle of the afternoon for a sit down and a can refresh.  Also camped in Michael's Mead (too close to the urinals and NOS Central in 2011) and Dairy in 2007, which is great for the Park.

A story re Dairy.  Picture the scene.  2007, I'm camping solo at my first Glastonbury.  Early on the Wednesday, I'm one of the first in Dairy which might have been open for camping for the first time.  I camp right next to the fence, which was a double fence with a trackway for vehicles between us and the main fence.  Steadily the field fills up over the Wednesday and the Thursday.  I get back to the tent Thursday night to see that my tent is now about fifteen feet away from the fence, with a load of tents pitched between me and the fence.  I marvel to my neighbours at the skill of the campsite crew, moving a load of tents fifteen feet without disrupting any of the contents and what hard work it must have been.  "Err no - they moved the fence back" said my neighbour, looking at me with a mixture of pity and bemusement.

[wiremog]

11 minutes ago, BluePaul said:

 "Err no - they moved the fence back" said my neighbour, looking at me with a mixture of pity and bemusement.

Haha!!! Poor, Glasto-addled you

Speaking of bagging a decent camping spot, I just awoke from an actual anxiety dream about it. I'd arrived ahead of my mate, who for some reason was bringing the tents (not in fact the mate I'm actually going with, and I already own the tents, but that's dream logic for you) and managed to find a great spot for us to pitch up. For some reason she was taking ages to get there, so I was having to physically starfish myself over the plot and throw my belongings all over it to try to stop others nicking it, lol! Then she turns up and says the tents 'hadn't arrived' and didn't seem to know why this was a major problem. I tear over to the nearest stand and all they're selling is some really weird narrow frame tents, and I'm not sure they're going to work, but I get them anyway and start running back to the pitch... and then I woke up 

[shoptildrop]

1st year we went in 2010 we camped in Oxlyers which was totally fine, quite liked being able to watch the bands from the tent

These days we camp with a big group towards top of Paines ground off the walkway up to Bailey's we always manage to get the spot but it does fill up fairly quickly by early afternoon

[Mickball]

What are peoples thoughts on Lower Mead?

We camped in Pylon last year, mainly because it was the first bit of high ground we saw with free space after entering gate A. Thinking about maybe camping and bit closer to the action, but don't want to trek too far from gate A.

Pylon is fine, but the one food tent in the whole campsite is terrible and an absolute rip off! Lower Mead seems to be a bit closer to some food places for breakfast. 

[Divein]

Another one for oxylers, towards the back fence over by the BBC introducing back stage camping.

Never gets full great location and easy to get back to your tent if you walk along the hedge.

[Madyaker]

Camped in Rivermead last year and really liked it. It's not too crowded, theres compost toilets, water, lockups and a place that does nice breakfast all right beside it. 10 minute walk to the other stage, more to pyramid and a fucking long treck back from the SE corner at 7am but I think I'll be camping there again this year. Our group are all arriving in bits and pieces but I'll be first so hopefully I should be able to save a bit of space for 2 or 3 more tents, there was still space on Thursday morning last year. It's right beside Silver Hayes so it can be loud once the stages get going there but it never bothered me last year.

[bennyhana22]

32 minutes ago, Divein said:

Another one for oxylers Oxlyers, towards the back fence over by the BBC introducing back stage camping.

Never gets full great location and easy to get back to your tent if you walk along the hedge.

FTFY, Divein

Ben

[Sasperella]

I really like Rivermead. The space is great and you can arrive relatively late on weds and still find enough space for a few tents. I see some people tents camped right on the edge of the walkways near the big stages sometimes and can't fathom how those people cope with it. Considered moving last year but if it aint broke  don't fix it. As the entire group is coming by coach this year it def makes sense.

As for the walking, I've never found it a problem. Take everything i need out when i leave but can also pop back once in the day. And the walk back from the SE corner/stone circle is long, but its glastonbury....even long walks throw up unexpected delights 

[Rumblestripe]

I've camped in Dairy, Bushy, South Park and Pylon (off the top of my head) I probably prefer Bushy as it seems to remain quiet with space even into the weekend and a decent number of composting bogs.No food outlet is the only downer so no late night artery clogger (this may be a plus). 

Last year after the six hours parked on the A361 we just dropped everything in Pylon and it was fine. As mentioned above the food tent was a bit overpriced and limited but it was open 24/7 so you could get that late night bacon sarnie and a brew before hitting the sack, being well up the hillside it avoided the worst of the "Somme-like" mud that Bushy in particular got clobbered with.

[Cuzzy]

First timer with the missus so unable to compare spots but at the mo have decided on South Park 2 as it doesn't seem to far from carpark and not too far from most stuff but would like to know if there is good food near and half decent crappers

[Ducky89]

7 hours ago, chazwwe said:

What are those 2 areas like for things like toilets/noise/people. Camped in Woodsies for 2 years then Darbie last year. Coming along by car this year so can get in early Wednesday 11am-12pm. What are our chances for 2 medium sized tents? 

 

6 hours ago, Franky said:

Hi guys, some advice on Big Ground and Kidney Mead please, We have been going as a group for donkeys years as some of you know but have always camped over in Dairy, due to some of our group camping in the Cocksmill Meadow Family camping field we want to be close to them this year to save them the long walk back at the end of the night after the campfire.

So, how quickly does Big Ground and Kidney Mead fill up please, I am hoping to be in the queue for PG B by 06:00 at the latest but you all know how plans on a Wed morning work out We need a space for about 12 tents, about 7/8 of which I will be setting up on my own on arrival

Thanks all.

There used to be the flushing loos which have sadly now gone BUT there is a good supply of long drops on the Kidney Mead / Williams Green corner. People are friendly and you're on a hill..

I'd try to get there as early as possible if you have a big group, but we've been fine with groups 30+ in number.

 

[Fishman]

Now, what these 'camping spot' threads always show us is that almost everyone is happy where they end up camping. Over the years this location invariably becomes home, but the site changes and sometimes you get moved on. This means finding a new home, but again, people are normally happy where they end up. I think this just shows that the festival is brilliant wherever you are - who cares.

Looking for somewhere to camp just apply some logic. Are you through the gate at 8:00 and want to be in the thick of it? .... head to the city centre. Do you want something a bit quieter?  ... head to the suburbs. Newbies check out Tort's guide for some ideas http://www.glastoearth.com/the-faq/faq-part-3 and ask the camping crew on your Ped Gate. (Actually, Torts guide is always worth a read for all! I feel it helps ramp up excitement.)

Over the years ... I started in Upper Pennards for a few years, but got moved on by Tipis; then Dragon Field for a few more, but got moved on by Staff Camping; then The Park, but got moved on by no longer getting there early enough; then Baileys, but even then couldn't fit in there last year because our Thursday coach broke down, so ended up in Back House which was brilliant because it opens late so had nice green grass (and I'm now old!). I've liked them all.

Basically, it's Glastonbury innit?! 

[neil_d]

I'll probably head to Hitchin Hill again (or failing that, Lime Kiln). Out the way, with a great view, and can wander via friends camped in Hawkwell on my way out/back.

Though, there is a temptation to just chill in Darble - but feel a bit wary of being camped so close to an entrance, for some reason.

[karl3]

I've camped in Michael's Mead the last 2 years. Benefits are you're close to the Pyramid, John Peel, Beat Hotel and Silver Heyes. The bar which appeared last year in the woods is pretty good too. The long drops by the lock up aren't too bad either if you're desperate and can't make the composters by The Other. It is a bit of a trek to SE corner and The Park areas though but we tend to be out for the day so don't go back to the tent until we go to bed. It's pretty quiet too so you can sleep when you need to.

I'm volunteering this year so no idea where I'm camping but I'm led to believe it's not a million miles from Michael's Mead so should be able to steer myself home in the early hours hopefully!

[cammie81]

2 hours ago, neil_d said:

Though, there is a temptation to just chill in Darble - but feel a bit wary of being camped so close to an entrance, for some reason.

Have camped in Darble for the last three visits (will prob this year again as getting bus from Southampton at 10:00). In 2014 the security came over and introduced themselves and later told us they had questioned some people as they didn't recognise them so they moved on. Might seem a bit harsh if the people weren't doing anything wrong but made us feel more secure in the area. The only downside was the nearest compost toilet got very busy (and messy) on the Monday as people stopped off their before getting there bus but there was another toilet within 2 minutes.

I was hoping to try Big Ground this year (as only every been in Darble or South Park 2 so right on the edges) but I think by the time we get there we might struggle for a 3 man and 2x 4 men tents.

 

Edited May 15, 2017 by cammie81

[Tartan_Glasto]

In 2015 we camped in Hitchin Hill, our first year and just camped in the first place we found. Last year we camped in Pylon mainly cause we just cause it looked empty and green instead of full and muddy. I'm happy with Pylon as it doesn't bother me being out the way, I actually like to get away from the action every so often. However, the friends I cam camping with want to be closer to the action and suggesting camping near Other. What would be the less manic of the sites near Other. From what I've read Pennard's is out the question as it seems like the party camp. What about Park Home or Oxlyers? Anyone think one is better than than the other as compromise for being close to the action but not surrounded by folk going wild?

[Bradders]

Oxlyers is about as central as you can get and as much of a party area as Pennards really. Loads of through traffic too. Park Home would be a better bet for you.

[Tartan_Glasto]

1 minute ago, Bradders said:

Oxlyers is about as central as you can get and as much of a party area as Pennards really. Loads of through traffic too. Park Home would be a better bet for you.

Cheers bud! I'll put it forward to my mates.