With Glastonbury Festival just around the corner, the camping and outdoors experts at Cotswold Outdoor have put together a list of tips.

Here’s their advice on common pitfalls, essential items to bring, and how to stay safe and enjoy yourself at Glasto.

What are the biggest mistakes people make when going to Glastonbury?

"The biggest mistake people make is not pacing themselves. It's easy to get carried away when you're having fun, but so often we see people fainting or having to leave outdoor festivals early because they've pushed themselves too far. Make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day, as you'll be losing a lot of fluids from moving around so much, and regularly check in on your friends.

"Always ensure you have a charged mobile phone and a portable phone charger in case it dies - the signal at Glastonbury isn't always going to be strong, but if your phone is dead you don't really stand a chance of finding your friends among tens of thousands of other people. Make sure you share your live location with friends, and download apps like SearchParty or What3words to make sure friends can find you no matter where you are, even if the signal is bad."

What essential items should I bring to Glastonbury?

"Of course there are the obvious things to bring with you - your ticket and mobile phone to keep connected, but there are many other necessities you must bring that can help alleviate the usual pain points of the festival. A water bottle is essential - it's expensive to purchase bottles at the festival itself, and time consuming to have to queue up to get them. You can find water refill stations around the area - stewards can help point you in the right direction.

"As you're most likely going to be camping at Glastonbury, you’re going to need all of the sleeping essentials. These include a sturdy tent - don't take a cheap flimsy one that won't be reliable - a sleeping bag, sleeping mat, pillow, eye mask and earplugs. An eye mask is going to be vital to ensure you don’t get woken up by the early morning sunshine, and earplugs help ensure you block out noise.

"I would also advise bringing a torch as you'll need to navigate the area late at night when the lights are off.

"Even if you’ve never been to a music festival before, you’re bound to have heard horror stories about the loos. You will definitely want to bring your own toilet wipes and handwash as there won't always be access to these. You need to bring additional toiletries like dry shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant too, and sunscreen is going to be a must as you're spending all day outside. 

"Other useful items to consider bringing are paracetemol or ibruprofen for aches and pains, plasters in case your feet start to rub on your shoes, and antihistamines if you're susceptible to hayfever.

"You might also consider a picnic blanket to sit on, and if you're driving to the event and have room to store them: reclining chairs, a small stove, pan, gas can and jetboil system for cooking and hot water."

Should I bring food and alcohol to Glastonbury?

"Glastonbury allows you to bring food and drinks into the grounds of the festival itself. However, you will be limited on bag space and may have to walk quite far between camping and music sites. My advice would be not to bring too much food or drink with you as they will really weigh you down. For alcohol, select types you don’t mind drinking lukewarm.

"You can purchase a huge range of food and drink on-site, but non-perishable high-carb or high-protein snacks would be a good idea to pack in moderation - think protein or chocolate bars, as these can help if you’re stuck. Remember to store food and drinks items in a cooling bag if possible, if they're likely to melt or go off in the heat. You could also attempt burying them beneath the soil outside your tent, so long as they’re wrapped up and contained."

How should I dress for Glastonbury?

"Weather predictions for Glastonbury 2024 are currently between sunshine and rain. Even if heavy rain isn't forecasted, it's best to stay prepared and bring a lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho that you can fold into a bag or tie around your waist. 

"Festivals do get warm, though. Even if the temperature isn't super hot, moving around constantly and especially amongst large groups of people, can dramatically increase your own body temperature. Dress in t-shirts, shorts, and lightweight clothing that you can easily cover up with layers if you get cold.

"I would also heavily recommend bringing a small bag or satchel that you can easily carry around on your back, or over your shoulder, for essential items. Trying to store too many things in your pockets becomes problematic and you end up dropping or losing things. On the other hand, carrying a large backpack is cumbersome in large crowds so make sure you pick something manageable.

"Finally, a pair of good trainers or walking boots you don't mind getting ruined would be most appropriate as you're likely to rack up around 30,000 steps a day. Wellies are great if it rains, but they're tough to walk and stand in for long periods of time."

There's more guidance, and information on the UK's most popular festivals, here.