The Best Festival Camping Guide for UK Music Festivals in 2025

Last Updated on 24 May 2025

Attending a festival is one thing, but festival camping creates an entirely different experience that transforms a simple music event into an unforgettable adventure. For first-timers, the prospect of camping at a music festival might seem daunting, but don’t let that put you off.

Yes, you’ll be away from the comforts of home, surrounded by thousands of strangers, and likely operating on minimal sleep. But these elements contribute to the magical atmosphere that makes UK festival camping such a beloved British summertime tradition.

According to data from Mintel, a market research company, it estimates that the UK festival industry will reach £3.22 billion by 2026.

Whether you’re planning your first Glastonbury camping experience or you’re a seasoned Reading Festival camper, this comprehensive guide will ensure you’re fully prepared for the 2025 festival season.

A happy festival goer festival camping. Photo by Globelet Reusable on Unsplash

Essential Festival Camping Equipment Checklist

Proper preparation is the key to enjoying your festival camping weekend. Veterans might already have their packing routine sorted, but for beginners, here’s a comprehensive checklist of what to bring:

Must-Have Documents

Your festival ticket (digital and printed backup)
Bank card and some cash for emergencies
Mobile phone and portable charger
Driving licence or ID (essential for age verification)

Camping Essentials

Festival tent (easy to assemble, weather-resistant)
Tent stakes and guy ropes (plus extras)
Sleeping bag (appropriate for the season)
Sleeping bag liner (for extra warmth and hygiene)
Roll mat or air mattress (crucial for comfort)
Air pump if using an inflatable mattress
Basic tent repair kit
Head torch and spare batteries
Mallet and stake puller
Biodegradable baby wipes
High-quality earplugs (crucial for sleep)
Festival-appropriate footwear (wellies are essential for UK festivals)
Duct tape for emergency repairs

Practical Additions

Portable power banks (multiple if possible)
Refillable water bottle (many festivals now have water refill stations)
Weather-appropriate clothing plus spares
Toilet roll (the festival toilets will inevitably run out)
Dry bags for wet clothes
Bin bags (for rubbish and protecting belongings in rain)
Camping trolley (if you’re bringing extra supplies)

Pro Tip: Pack your camping equipment in a comfortable backpack that distributes weight evenly. For festivals like Glastonbury, where the walk to your camping spot can be considerable, prioritise only the essential gear unless you’re bringing a camping trolley.

Setting Up Your Festival Camp Like a Pro

A field full of tents at a festival. Photo by Johnny Such on Unsplash

Your camping strategy can make or break your festival experience. Here’s how to create the perfect festival home-away-from-home:

Choose Your Camping Location Strategically

Most major UK festivals have designated camping areas, but arriving early gives you more options. When selecting your spot, consider:

Proximity to facilities: Aim for a location that’s within reasonable walking distance of toilets and water points, but not so close that you’ll be bothered by queues or odours
Distance from stages: Close enough for convenience, but far enough to avoid the loudest noise when you want to sleep
Terrain considerations: Avoid camping at the bottom of slopes (where water collects) or on uneven ground
Festival traffic: Stay away from main walkways to reduce the chance of people stumbling into your tent

Remember: Unless you’re at a premium or family camping area, accept that your tent might take some wear and tear. Consider bringing a festival-specific tent rather than your expensive camping equipment.

Make Your Camp Easy to Find

With thousands of similar-looking tents packed together, finding your way back—especially after dark—can be challenging:

Bring a distinctive flag or banner to mark your camping area
Add solar-powered fairy lights to your guy ropes
Take a photo of your tent and its surroundings when you set up
Note nearby landmarks or camping zone markers
Consider downloading a festival-specific app that might help with navigation

Create a Comfortable Camp Setup

If you’re camping with friends and have secured adequate space:

Pitch a separate pop-up shelter as a communal area
Bring camping chairs for comfortable socialising
Set up a dedicated area for wet or muddy clothing
Position tents in a circle to create a private social space

Essential Setup Tips

Choose flat ground: Clear away stones and debris before pitching
Face your tent door away from prevailing wind: Check weather forecasts beforehand
Leave adequate space between tents: For safety and privacy
Pitch properly: Take time to secure guy ropes and stakes properly
Create shade: UK festivals can get surprisingly hot

Food and Drink Strategies for Festival Campers

A few healthy looking dishes. Photo by Roosa Kulju on Unsplash

Food and drink are significant considerations for festival camping in the UK. You have several options to keep yourself fuelled throughout the weekend:

Festival Food Options

The UK festival scene now boasts an impressive array of food vendors offering everything from traditional burgers to international cuisine and plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. While convenient, festival food has two main drawbacks:

Cost: Expect to pay £8-15 per meal at most major UK festivals in 2025
Queues: Peak meal times can mean long waits

Many festivalgoers adopt a hybrid approach: bringing breakfast and snack items while budgeting for one or two purchased meals daily.

Self-Catering at Festivals

If you’re planning to self-cater at your festival campsite:

Cooking Equipment

Compact gas camping stove (check festival regulations as some restrict gas canister sizes)
Mess tin or small saucepan
Reusable cutlery and plates
Washing-up bowl and biodegradable soap

Food Suggestions

Breakfast: Instant porridge pots, cereal bars, fruit
Lunch: Pre-made sandwiches, wraps, crackers with cheese
Dinner: Quick-cook pasta, rice pots, tinned beans
Snacks: Nuts, dried fruit, crisps, chocolate (store in shade)

Drinks and Storage

Remember: Most UK festivals prohibit glass bottles
Transfer spirits to plastic bottles if allowed by festival rules
Consider boxed wine instead of bottles
Use a small cooler for perishables, but plan to consume these early in the weekend
Bring plenty of water and rehydration sachets

Sustainability Tip: Many UK festivals now encourage eco-friendly camping. To reduce waste, bring reusable bottles, plates, and cutlery. Some festivals, like Glastonbury, offer discounts on drinks when using reusable cups.

Festival Camping Self-Care: Staying Healthy and Happy

Three girls sitting down at a festival. Photo by Aranxa Esteve on Unsplash

Maintaining your wellbeing during festival camping ensures you’ll enjoy every moment rather than struggling through it:

Hydration and Nutrition

Stay hydrated: Carry a refillable water bottle at all times and visit water points regularly
Pace yourself: Balance alcohol consumption with water intake
Eat regularly: Even simple snacks help maintain energy levels
Consider supplements: Multivitamins and rehydration sachets can be helpful

Rest and Recovery

Festival camping often means compromised sleep, but you can improve your chances of rest:

Quality earplugs: Invest in high-quality earplugs designed for sleeping, not just the basic foam variety
Eye mask: Particularly important during UK summer when sunrise can be before 5am
Comfortable sleeping setup: A good roll mat or air mattress makes an enormous difference
Schedule downtime: Don’t feel obligated to see every act; allow yourself some relaxation time

Personal Hygiene in the Festival Environment

Festival shower strategy: Use festival showers during off-peak times or bring a portable camping shower
Dry shampoo: A festival camping essential
Biodegradable wet wipes: For quick freshen-ups
Hand sanitiser: Carry at all times, especially before eating
Quick-dry towel: Takes up less space and dries faster than regular towels

Weather Preparedness

UK festivals are notorious for unpredictable weather:

Sun protection: Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
Rain gear: Waterproof jacket, spare socks, wellies
Temperature fluctuations: Layers that can be added or removed
Wind protection: Secure your tent properly and bring wind-resistant clothing

Top UK Music Festivals for Campers in 2025

The UK offers some of the world’s best camping festivals. Here are the top options for 2025:

Download Festival (13th-15th June, 2025)

Bright lights on a festival stage. Photo by Terrah Holly on Unsplash

For rock and metal fans, Download offers dedicated camping areas including quiet zones and accessible camping options.

Isle of Wight Festival (19th-22nd June, 2025)

The Needles at the Isle of Wight. Photo by Benjamin Elliott on Unsplash

This historic festival provides beautiful camping settings with sea views from many pitches. Consider upgrading to their premium camping options for added comfort.

Glastonbury Festival (25th-29th June, 2025)

Glastonbury Festival. Photo by Joe Green on Unsplash

The ultimate UK festival camping experience, Glastonbury offers multiple camping areas with different atmospheres. From the lively areas near the Pyramid Stage to the more relaxed Green Fields, there’s something for everyone. Tickets sell out within minutes, so be prepared when they release in October 2024.

Latitude Festival (24th-27th July, 2025)

Latitude Festival. Photo by Ben Wicks on Unsplash

Known for its more relaxed atmosphere and family-friendly camping areas, Latitude is perfect for first-time festival campers or those preferring a less intense experience.

Reading & Leeds Festivals (21st-24th August, 2025)

Reading Festival. Photo by Hanna Tche on Unsplash

With identical lineups across two locations, these twin festivals offer different camping experiences. Reading provides more compact camping closer to stages, while Leeds offers more spacious camping areas slightly further from the action.

Planning Tip: Book your festival tickets early, as many offer early-bird camping passes that give you access to better camping locations.

Eco-Friendly Festival Camping Tips

UK festivals are increasingly emphasising sustainability. Here’s how to be an eco-conscious camper:

Sustainable Festival Camping Practices

Take your tent home: The “abandoned tent” problem costs UK festivals millions in cleanup each year
Use biodegradable toiletries: Regular products can harm local ecosystems
Separate your waste: Many festivals now provide recycling facilities
Leave no trace: Take everything home that you brought
Consider eco-camping areas: Many festivals now offer dedicated sustainable camping zones
Use solar chargers: Reduce your reliance on disposable batteries

Sustainable Festival Gear

Rent festival equipment: Several UK companies now offer festival kit rental
Buy second-hand: Festival gear doesn’t need to be brand new
Invest in quality: Better equipment lasts longer and creates less waste
Choose sustainable materials: Bamboo cutlery, beeswax wraps, etc.

Final Thoughts on Festival Camping in 2025

Festival camping in the UK offers so much more than just a place to sleep between performances. It’s a fundamental part of the festival experience that creates community, fosters new friendships, and provides the perfect backdrop for musical discovery.

Whether you’re pitching your tent at Glastonbury’s sprawling fields or setting up at a boutique festival, the spirit remains the same – a temporary village united by music and celebration.

Remember that festival camping is about embracing the unexpected. The rain might come, your favourite band might clash with another, and you’ll definitely get less sleep than you’d like – but these moments become the stories you’ll tell for years to come.

So grab your tent, pack your wellies, and get ready to create memories that will last long after the music fades. The festival fields are calling!

Ready to Level Up Your Festival Experience?

Download our free Ultimate Festival Camping Checklist [PDF download] to ensure you don’t forget anything essential. And don’t miss our companion guides:

Remember to share your festival camping tips and experiences in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does festival camping cost beyond the ticket price?

Most UK festivals include basic camping in the ticket price. Premium camping options with better facilities typically range from £50-£200 extra depending on the festival and amenities offered.

Can I save my spot for friends arriving later?

This varies by festival. At larger events like Glastonbury, space becomes limited quickly, making it difficult to save large areas. Smaller festivals may be more flexible.

How secure are festival campsites?

While festival security patrols camping areas, tents cannot be completely secured. Never leave valuables in your tent – use festival lockers or keep them with you.

Can I bring alcohol to festival campsites?

Most UK festivals allow alcohol into festivals; however, glass bottles are prohibited. If you want to bring in alcohol, it’ll have to be boxed wine or cans. Check specific festival rules for quantity limitations.

What about toilet facilities when festival camping?

Standard portable toilets are typically available throughout camping areas, with premium toilets available for an additional fee. Morning and evening are generally the busiest times.

Is festival camping family-friendly?

Many UK festivals offer specific family camping areas that are quieter and have better facilities. Festivals like Latitude, Green Man and Camp Bestival are particularly family-oriented.

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