The campsite is your home for four days. A little planning when you arrive makes a big difference to how you feel by Sunday.
Pick your spot wisely
- Not in a dip. If it rains, that’s where the water collects.
- Not right next to the toilets or the path. Smells, and people tripping over your guy ropes all night.
- Close to a landmark. A flag, a mast, a sign. All tents look the same at three in the morning.
Sleep better
- A sleeping mat or air mattress – the cold comes from below.
- An eye mask and earplugs. The sun comes up early and the neighbours go to sleep late.
- A dark tent is warmer at night but turns into a sauna in the morning. Open the vents.
Protect your stuff
- Don’t leave valuables in the tent – a tent can’t be locked.
- Keep your wallet, phone and keys on you, ideally in an inside pocket or a bum bag.
- Mark your things. It makes them less tempting to take and easier to get back.
- Get to know your neighbours. They’ll keep an eye on your tent if you say hello to each other.
Leave the site as you found it
Take your tent home. Abandoned tents become rubbish, and festivals spend huge sums cleaning up – money that could have gone on more bands.