Hey all! Im going to Glasto next year, and obviously in need of a tent! Im a total 'virgin' to the whole camping thing....so jumping in at the deep end!!!!
Does anyone have any hints/tips with regards to the type of tent i'll be needing?
Theres 2 of us going, but was thinking maybe 4/6 person tent!
Hi and welcome to the forum. But beware . . . you may find it addictive.
I've never been, but have seen pictures of the campsites and, thinking of the number of people there, I would suggest looking for as cheap a tent as will reasonably keep you dry when you're sleeping for a couple of hours. The sites seem so crowded I would not want to spend too much on a tent as I feel sure you'll have people falling over / in it. Surely, all you need is something to sleep in and store your wellies overnight and store your clean knickers / underpants (whichever you fancy).
Think of it as something disposable, but do try and find something waterproof. Don't be taken in by some of the very cheapest tents. Many have been known to leak like sieves. You've plenty of time and we're coming up to the right time for tent buying. I would have thought a three-man tent would give you the room you need. You won't be living in it, just sleeping (perhaps).
I also understand you may need to carry all your kit for some distance from the car parks so you need to check out the weight.
Sorry not to have been more helpful, but when I come across something which to me seems suitable, I'll drop you another post.
Don't get too hung up on your tent set up, you're hardly going to be in it, one year I set my tent up on the wednesday morning and didn't see it again until I took it down on monday morning! You can get a eurohike 2 man tent for abou £20 - £40. One of these each will do the trick and they pack up really small. My advice is to get there early on the wednesday if you want to camp in a decent spot and don't take too much gear as it's likely you'll have to walk a very long way from the car. Forget about the food, beer, bbq etc you were going to take, start saving now and just take a lot of money and only take stuff that will fit in one bag. Having said that toilet roll, wet wipes and alcohol based hand cleaning gel are invaluble.
If you do plan on taking a fair bit of gear, get a wheelbarrow or sturdy trolley to save your back. Don't take anything you're not prepared to loose and you'll be fine. I have a couple of old tents that come out for festivals.
------------- Current tents in use: 5m Bell, Obelink Palamos 6, Vango Tornado 300 Vango Force 10 Mk3, Hypercamp Eldorado & Orange Raclet
If your wanting to take a 4-6 berth tent make sure you arrive on Wednesday morning, otherwise you might struggle to pitch it!
A tent we have used a couple of times at Glastonbury is the Eurohike Avon, it really stands up to wet, wet windy weather. It's a good tent for two and has a useful porch area for muddy boots etc. It's also reasonably priced and is easy to carry. Downside is you cant stand up in it!
We have been to Glasto 3 times and never had a tent ruined (touching wood!) just make sure your guyropes are pegged as close to the tent as possible and only peg out the really necessary ones!
Yeah,I'd pretty much echo what has been said already..(..especially the "don't peg your guy ropes yards away from the tent" pointt! )
You don't want anything to fancy kit wise..however I would steer away from cheapy tenner tents from Tesco!..
...We used a Eurohike Avon for a good few years( and loads of festivals!) and it's stood up well and as floss said,it has a handy porch..
However if we were to look for a "festival tent" tent now,I'd probably be looking at a decent sized pop-up.We've got a 3 man Quecha,not as roomy as the Avon but perfectly big enough...
Personally I'd try and resist the urge to take to much "stuff" though..stoves/chairs etc.
Especially a stove!..as once you've taken one you'll need cooking equipment,plates and a coolbox for food..(when it should be for beer!!)
We ended up going down this route and we ended up taking a bl**dy great sack truck with us!..
Try and keep things simple..
Oh!..and make use of the free lock-ups for anything that you value/need(..car keys,spare cash reserve etc)
Visit the Glastoearth website,there's loads of info on there..
Quote: Originally posted by Dibbles123 on 11/10/2009
Hey all! Im going to Glasto next year, and obviously in need of a tent! Im a total 'virgin' to the whole camping thing....so jumping in at the deep end!!!!
Does anyone have any hints/tips with regards to the type of tent i'll be needing?
Theres 2 of us going, but was thinking maybe 4/6 person tent!
Thanks in advance :)
My niece remembered my advice. Always pitch your tent on the top of a slope. this has saved her and friends from being washed out/flooded for the last few years at Glasto!
I was there on the Wednesday after it closed last year. Most people seem to just leave their tent where it is. Sleeping bag and gear still inside. It was like an overgrown deserted refugee camp. Only take it if you are prepared to leave it.
Thisis the Glastoearth link that has lots of really useful advice, including tent buying.
The official Glastonbury websitestates that you shouldn't take anything you can't afford to lose. HOWEVER, this does NOT give anyone the excuse to dump gear at the end of this or any other festival. Someone has to clear it up afterwards (the festival site is a working dairy farm the rest of the year) and tragically a lot of it ends up in landfill. Not very eco-friendly!
Having said all that, it probably is the best festival in the world and 2010 will be my 15th. As you can probably tell, I think it's a bit good.
As for buying a tent, get the lightest one you can within your budget (you have to cart it a long way - twice). For two people a 3/4 man should be fine. Practice putting it up before the festival and make sure all the bits are there. It would probaly be worth proofing it with something like Fabsil or Nikwax especially along the seams - better that it's proofed twice than not proofed at all. Not that it will rain of course but it's far better to be safe than sorry.
------------- ...after all an awning is just a three-sided tent!
If you are after something cheap and cheerful check out the Argos clearance store on Ebay. I saw some pop up tents there last week - as someone else said you won't see much of your tent while you are there anyway. Have a great time!
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Glastonbury!!!
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but it's far better to be safe than sorry.
