Best place to camp

Bola · #1 19-05-2011, 10:39 PM

Hi there,

I am a Glasto first timer and i am asking for opinions on the best place to camp.
Will probably end up in Shangri-la every evening so i am thinking of the Pennard Hill Ground.

Any advice / pros & cons etc would be appreciated.

Thanks

Bola · #2 19-05-2011, 10:41 PM

P.S. I'm going on Tuesday evening so i should be able to pick shouldn't i?

Cheers.....

Jambo · #3 19-05-2011, 10:55 PM

Its defo gotta be lower mead dude! it sits lovely between the dance village and the pyrimid ( dont think i spelt that right) stage! plus the last two years they have had some quality food stalls..... banger bros hot dog van is the best hangover cure ever!! of yeah and its right next to the John Peel tent!

33 days now! to say im excited would be the unerstatement of the year!!!!!

Jambo · #4 19-05-2011, 10:56 PM

And yeah if you go on tues you willl have the pick of the bunch! we normally get there early wed morn and you can get any spot you like!!

Torcs4 · #5 20-05-2011, 11:05 AM

Would depend on a few things. How much you value position relative to festival sites. How much you value rowdiness vs quiet. etc.

Last year I was up on the Dairy Ground. That was my first time, so that's all I know, but it was good there and I might just head straight back there this year. It's a long way from... everything other than the Park really, but if you plan well that shouldn't matter too much. It's also pretty quiet up there, which may or may not be a good thing for you.

The bonus last year was that in that heat, there was always a nice little breeze up there in the evenings. Perfect for that evening recharge time, either a quick snooze or just a few 'quiet' drinks or smoke around the tent before getting back amongst it. It did feel like a little oasis there away from it all. So if that's what you want, that's a good spot. But if you want to feel like you are smack in the middle of the madness, or want to be able to dash backwards and forwards whenever, then no.

Bola · #6 20-05-2011, 12:59 PM

Sounds good Torcs!

I will bear that in mind. I am a bit undecided whether i wan't to be in the loud bit or not. The louder areas would be more convenient for walking back to the tents at night but that's it i reckon.

tort · #7 20-05-2011, 01:09 PM

If you're going to spend most evenings in the late night area then Pennards is always going to be your shortest walk home, followed by Park Home, Dairy etc. Dunno what Jambo is on about because Lower Mead is bloody miles away!

I've been in Pennards 2 years out of the last 3 and to be perfectly honest, despite its reputation, there is very little noise in the actual campsite itself as most people are out partying and only go back there to sleep in the early hours.

It does fill up very quickly but as long as you are in by Wednesday lunchtime you should find a spot.

For descriptions and pictures of all the different fields see part 3 of my FAQ's http://www.glastoearth.com/the-faq

Bola · #8 20-05-2011, 01:28 PM

Thanks Tort.

I think i will go for Pennards then as it seems pretty near everywhere i want to go.

I actually got the idea from your website so thank you for that!

Regards.

Nelly · #9 20-05-2011, 01:36 PM

Hi Bola, welcome to the forum and Glastonbury! It was my first time last year and we were with friends who had been before and we ended up at the top of Pennards. It was a great spot, perfect for us, we didn't find it overly noisy, apart from the music coming from the veggie cafe (can't remember name) behind us but I quite like listening to all the noises if I'm going to sleep.

Hope you have a great time

akicif · #10 20-05-2011, 03:27 PM

Watch out, though, for the new route into the late night area - not just along the railway anymore!

tubs89 · #11 20-05-2011, 06:13 PM

Yeah, I was in Pennards last years, we took a massive metal poled tipee with us with a camo green canvas, anyone remember that? lol. It was amaaaazing, cos it was spacey and had great shade and a lovely breeze blowing through it. Plus the people around us used to come in and chill, so was good for socialising, shame its not cumin this year!

glastomad · #12 20-05-2011, 08:35 PM

The big grounds a great place to camp but its a fooking mish to get there at 5 in the morning on your last legs after shangri la so maybe not for you by the sound of it

Me and my mates are going pennard hill probs for the same sorta reasons you were saying BUT bare in mind where your getting into the festival cos we tried to go there last year and just conked out at big grounds again as its closeish to where we got in at gate C

where ever you end up though you'll have a whale of a time

Lou's other half · #13 21-05-2011, 04:00 AM

One thing to think about when planning your camping spot: toilets. Obviously you don't want to be too near them because... well, uh, because...

But as well as the whole "let's camp upstream, upwind" thing that is obvious to all, there is one other thing to consider. Those metal doors on the long drops make one hell of a racket! And they are going 24/7! A few years ago I camped just far enough away to be out of nose-range but ended up being woken at all times of day and night (uh... just day actually) by those damn doors slamming!

It all adds to the perfect camping experience!

promaniuc · #14 21-05-2011, 08:30 AM

Any information about the security on the camp site? I'm kinda afraid I come back one night and I have nowhere to sleep cause someone just rob my stuff xD

akicif · #15 21-05-2011, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by promaniuc

Any information about the security on the camp site? I'm kinda afraid I come back one night and I have nowhere to sleep cause someone just rob my stuff xD

Yup - take a look at Tort's FAQ on the GlastoEarth site: http://www.glastoearth.com/the-faq - short version: there are lock-ups for your valuables, sleep with cash/cards inside your sleeping bag, and never ever put a padlock on your tent (it's like having a big sign saying there's stuff worth nicking - and also that you're not bright enough to realise people could just cut their way in anyway.

tort · #16 21-05-2011, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by promaniuc

Any information about the security on the camp site? I'm kinda afraid I come back one night and I have nowhere to sleep cause someone just rob my stuff xD

The simple fact is tent thefts do happen but very rarely do whole tents disappear anymore. Take precautions but don't let it ruin your festival worrying about it.

belfast_rifle · #17 21-05-2011, 01:46 PM

after much deliberation i think our group is gonna camp in pennards .. considered lower meade but tbh its too far away from late night entertainment

we'll be in a coca cola tent and will a few of us ...( it was free)

come along and say hello if ya see us ... my name is phil

we are from northern ireland dont be frightened by the accent lol

promaniuc · #18 21-05-2011, 03:46 PM

Originally Posted by belfast_rifle

after much deliberation i think our group is gonna camp in pennards .. considered lower meade but tbh its too far away from late night entertainment

we'll be in a coca cola tent and will a few of us ...( it was free)

come along and say hello if ya see us ... my name is phil

we are from northern ireland dont be frightened by the accent lol

Yeah... Pennards seems like a good idea. I bet it wont be hard to find u guys.
Btw my name is Priscila and I'm not afraid of any english accent xD

tort · #19 21-05-2011, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by promaniuc

Yeah... Pennards seems like a good idea. I bet it wont be hard to find u guys.

I'd just love to be able to see your faces when you finally appreciate just how big this whole thing is. There'll be best part of 5,000 tents in Pennards alone!

promaniuc · #20 21-05-2011, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by tort

I'd just love to be able to see your faces when you finally appreciate just how big this whole thing is. There'll be best part of 5,000 tents in Pennards alone!

Well he will be in a coca cola tent which I think it wont be that usual... but I got ur point. It will be my first time in Glastonbury so I dont have any idea how big it is.

tort · #21 21-05-2011, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by promaniuc

Well he will be in a coca cola tent which I think it wont be that usual... but I got ur point. It will be my first time in Glastonbury so I dont have any idea how big it is.

You're French right? Well lets put it into perspective for you. You're talking about a temporary city with a population the size of Lille!!!

Nelly · #22 21-05-2011, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by tubs89

Yeah, I was in Pennards last years, we took a massive metal poled tipee with us with a camo green canvas, anyone remember that? lol. It was amaaaazing, cos it was spacey and had great shade and a lovely breeze blowing through it. Plus the people around us used to come in and chill, so was good for socialising, shame its not cumin this year!

I remember your tent. We had a tipi - orange and green and a big CND flag. What a god send that was.

Lou's other half · #23 22-05-2011, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by promaniuc

Any information about the security on the camp site? I'm kinda afraid I come back one night and I have nowhere to sleep cause someone just rob my stuff xD

Crime is way, way down with the superfence in place, but it does happen, it's just really unlikely to happen to you. As others have said though, be sensible. I lost a camping stove because it was sticking out from under the fly sheet - someone saw it sticking out and took it. My fault! Keep your valuables on you, and I stick my wallet, camera and house keys in my sleeping bag with me at night! And there are free (are you reading this, V Festival organisers?) yes, FREE lockups run by nice people who just want to look after your things!

It's one of the biggest towns in the country and probably has the lowest crime rate! Long and short of it? Worry not, relax and enjoy!!

Torcs4 · #24 22-05-2011, 07:16 PM

Yeah, everything that is worth anything to me that I don't need right now is in the lock ups pretty much full time.

Nelly · #25 22-05-2011, 07:25 PM

We were close to a guy last year that had his stuff nicked from his tent when he was in it, he must have been completely out of it for it to happen, but sadly it does happen. They took his wallet and phone.

KarenEH · #26 22-05-2011, 10:07 PM

To reply to earlier part of thread- this is my 3rd year. First time we camped at the back of dairy ground with the fence at our backs and a hedge to the side. It seemed miles away and we didn't bother going back to the tent at all during the day- advantage- we could sleep well and it felt really safe tucked away back there. Disadvantage- had to take everything with us that we wanted for the day.
Last year we were right by the pylon in front of the John Peel tent by some lads that decided to set fire to their roll mats and chairs on Sunday afternoon! ****s!! Stank the place out and with the dry grass could have set light to God knows how many tents! We had the kareoke bar playing till 3 so no good for kipping but could fall out of the tent and straight into John Peel, also good access to the Pyramid and Other stage through the market place. It was a right hike to The park though! Main disadvantage was when JP emptied out there was a stampede all through the tent area!
Personally prefer a quieter area to camp but I'm outnumbered and Lower Mead is where we're headed again!
Always put my bag with everything in it at the bottom of the sleeping bag before I get in.

Liz2021 · #27 25-05-2011, 08:34 PM

Been 3 times and slept in two different camp sites and only ever heard of any trouble once which was tents being robbed in the night last year @ Top Webbs Ash.

Get to know your neighbours I say, we have met the same people 2 years running to TWA. Great to carry on the party when you get back each morning with your neighbours too - that way you know your definitely not disturbing anyone. Plus you can lookout for one another re tents and in my case finding your tent or the right field!! Cant wait to get back and see if the same people are near us again this year! If we get a space there that is!