A festival campsite is a small town that appears for a few days. There is music, laughter and the sound of zips well into the night, and the sun heats up the tents early in the morning. That is part of the fun, but a little planning makes it much more comfortable. Earplugs, shade and a tidy tent are the three things that matter most, and none of them takes long to organise.
Choosing the spot
Arrive in daylight if you can and take a slow walk around before you pitch. Look for a spot that is flat and away from the main paths, the toilets and the loudest stages. If there are trees or a bit of natural shade, use them, but check for low or dead branches first. A pitch that gets the morning sun on the tent will be warm very early, so think about which way the door faces. Check what applies on the site, and follow any instructions from the stewards.
Earplugs are the simplest fix for noise. Keep a spare pair in your washbag and another in your sleeping bag, so that you never have to search for them in the dark. An eye mask helps with early light, too. If your neighbours are loud, a friendly word usually works better than a complaint. Keep the tent tidy, because a small space fills up fast. Leave shoes in the porch or in a carrier bag, keep dirty clothes in one bag and clean ones in another, and use a bin bag for rubbish. Put your head torch, phone and water in the same place every night. Keep your valuables with you or somewhere out of sight.
Mark your tent so you can find it again. A bright flag, a colourful cord or an unusual object tied to the top will help you spot it in a field of similar ones. Agree a meeting point with your friends in case you lose each other, and keep your phone charged. Never cook inside the tent. In the morning, air the sleeping bags, open the door and let the tent cool before you pack up.
