Congratulations: you’re going to Glastonbury! Yes, you’ve somehow managed to successfully navigate the great annual ticket scramble and have emerged from the rabble, bruised and battered, clutching the keys to paradise.
But once you get to paradise, a small quandary arises: where should you pitch your tent? There’s plenty of grassy spots (which hopefully won’t become muddy spots after a torrential downpour on the Thursday morning) on offer, as the festival swells to an area that covers 1.4 square miles with a perimeter than runs a staggering 8.5 miles – it is, after all, ‘the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world.’
And so with 150,000 fellow revellers all jostling for elbow room upon arrival, it might be wise to do a wee bit of forward planning first. This is where we come in: here’s our handy guide to the 21 camping spots on offer, with their location, pros and cons, and overall verdict on each site’s suitability all mapped out for your viewing and planning convenience.
Happy camping!
Where To Camp
We outline the pros and cons of every campsite.
Pennard Hill Ground
Location
In the heart of the matter.
Singled out by the official Glastonbury site as ‘a popular, lively spot’ due to its central locality to many of Glastonbury’s hip-happening spots, it also has ‘a culture of its own, with people returning year on year.’ If you’re new to PHG, then it’s probably a good idea that you get here early if you want to join the party.
Pros
- Sandwiched in between The Park, Arcadia, Sacred Space, Healing Field and Green Feature, PHG is essentially the Switzerland of Glastonbury – its landlocked status is perfect for the hardened partygoer
- On top of that, it reduces your walking time between Glastonbury’s numerous attractions.
- You can hear The Other Stage from this site – so when your favourite band takes to the stage, you can hot-foot it over there with relative ease.
Cons
- It fills up bloody quickly – if you arrive anytime after Wednesday evening, you probably won’t find a space.
- It’s been at the mercy of the flooding Gods in past years – although the Eavises stress that the drainage system has been much improved since the unfortunate creation of the Glastonbury River of 2005.
- It’s a loud position – not ideal if you’re looking to sleep at all over the Glastonbury weekend.
Verdict
Perfect for the active Glastonbury-goer, not ideal for those looking to chill.
Bushy Ground
Location
West, beyond the Park Farm
It’s not the coolest or the most hyped site, but its locality to both the Woodsies and dance tents make it a fine contender. Its position on the top of the hill ensures that it doesn’t turn into a mudbath, either.
Pros
- Locks onto the Silver Hayes area, which is a gateway to the Woodsies and Pyramid stages.
- It’s super close to the Megabus drop-off/pick-up point.
- If England are playing at the time of the festival, this is where it’s likely to be shown on giant screens.
Cons
- It’s a long way away from Shangri La, etc. But you won’t even notice if you’ve, ahem, enjoyed your day, right?
- If England are playing at the time of the festival, this is where it’s likely to be shown on giant screens.
Verdict
Perhaps the dark horse of the entire festival site. Plus, if you’re concerned about missing the football, this may be the spot for you.
Kidney Mead
Location
To the east of the Pyramid stage, below Big Ground.
If Big Ground fills up quickly, you’d do well to pitch up in the adjacent Kidney Mead site.
Pros
- A great location if you fancy hanging out at the Acoustic Stage, the Cider Bus, William’s Green and the central market areas.
- The Pyramid stage is but a stone’s throw away too.
Cons
- Positioned pretty damn close to the toilets that service the Pyramid, so you’ll be in for a bit of a stinker by the time Friday rolls around.
- It’s right next to the Kidz Field, so you may have a million little tykes running around shouting and screaming – not ideal for your Sunday morning hangover.
Verdict
Bring a clothes peg for your nose, and you’ll be golden.
Big Ground
Location
To the east of the Pyramid stage.
Another prime location, Big Ground looks down on the Pyramid and much of the festival site, offering festivalgoers close proximity to the gateway of many of Glastonbury’s delights.
Pros
- It boasts the only flushing toilets on site (that aren’t in the backstage or hospitality areas).
- The action at the Pyramid comes to an end at a reasonable time, so you won’t be kept up all night by banging tunes.
Cons
- If you snooze, you lose – your best chance of securing this prime piece of real estate is if you arrive early on the Wednesday.
Verdict
Ideal if you plan to hang out by the Pyramid stage for the majority of your time there, but forget about it if you’re turning up on the Thursday.
Oxlyers
Location
Slap bang in the middle of it all
Armed with a similar hedonistic reputation as Lower Mead & Woodsies, Oxlyers is perhaps even more intense due to its ultra-central location to Glastonbury’s heart.
Pros
- A central hub for most of the stages – if you play your cards right, you could watch the acts on The Other Stage from the comfort of your own tent.
- A mere stone’s throw away from the Silver Hayes dance area.
- It’s entirely flat, so you won’t have to camp on an incline.
Cons
- Due to its popularity, space in this field goes FAST – and once there, you’ll have to get cosy with your neighbours, as they’ll pretty much be on top of you.
- It’s entirely flat, so if it rains a lot, then it’s likely one of the first places on site that’ll become a muddy swimming pool.
Verdict
If its seedy reputation appeals to you, then get there quick.
Dairy Ground
Location
West, but to the south. So southwest.
Fancy chilling with this cows this June? Well, you can’t, because Michael Eavis shuts them all away whilst the festival is on. Sorry, that’s just the way it is. But you can camp in the area that’s named after the area which they graze on when it’s not festival time.
Pros
- It’s possibly Glastonbury’s biggest campsite, so there should be space for you and your mates.
- If you’re planning to hang out at The Park Stage in the day and Arcadia at night, then this is very much the campsite for you.
- It also offers great views of the rest of the festival site – if you’re into that kind of thing, of course.
Cons
- Despite it being so vast, Dairy Ground is still a very popular location – so don’t dawdle on your way there, or you may be disappointed.
- It’s pretty far away from the likes of the Pyramid Stage and the Woodsies Stage, so be prepared to get a walk on.
Verdict
Very serviceable, but you’d be wise not to leave too much time in getting there when you arrive.
Park Home Ground
Location
Behind the Other Stage
Located in the thick of it, PHG is ideal for those looking to have a good time.
Pros
- Thanks to its gentle slope, if you manage to bag a spot on the top of PHG’s hill, you can get some lovely views of the festival site.
- It’s little distance to the Other and Park Stages, and has Arcadia as its neighbour – perfect location if you’re too hungover to walk anywhere far.
Cons
- It’s popular – so space goes quickly.
- It’s loud – so don’t expect to sleep much here.
- People pass by PHG on their way to the main stages / Arcadia, so it’ll generally be a busy place to be.
Verdict
Forget sleeping if you want to camp here – fortunately, a good chunk of the people who pitch up here will be have that exact mindset.
Michael’s Mead & Hawkwell
Location
T’up north of the festival.
Found to the north of the Pyramid Stage, these two sites are ideal for the gig-going ticket holders amongst you. As well as the main stage, you’re not far away from all of the action on the Woodsies Stage.
Pros
- It’s located between two of the major music stages.
- Offers scenic views of the whole site.
- And it’s easily accessible to the Festival Bus Station – ideal, no?
Cons
- Both sites have a bit of an incline (45 degrees, by some estimates) – especially Hawkwell – so you’ll have something of a slanting night’s sleep if you pitch up on either side.
Verdict
Pretty swish, if you don’t mind sleeping at an angle (and who has time for sleep at Glastonbury anyway?)
Lower Mead & Woodsies
Location
North of the site, grouped around the Woodsies stage
If you’re looking to be something of a hedonist at Glastonbury this year, then these two areas are where you should be looking to pitch up. Notorious for their lively atmosphere, Lower Meads & Woodsies house many a Glasto reveller, and thus can fill up pretty quickly.
Pros
- You’re in an ideal position if you want to spend most of your Glasto time at the Woodsies Stage, whilst you’re also damn close to Silver Hayes and the Pyramid Stage.
- Woodsies is the closest camping ground to the Bus & Coach Station, which is ideal for that hungover Monday morning slouch to the bus home.
Cons
- Woodsies is located next to the main access road into the site (which runs 24 hours a day), so it can suffer from a constant flow of traffic noise.
- You may have to fight through the Woodsies crowds, who’ll congregate at the entrance to your campsite.
- It’s quite the trek to Shangri La – how are you going to survive the walk there if you’ve been drinking all day in the hot sun?
Verdict
The partygoers campsite of choice. If that’s not you, then you should probably look elsewhere.
Rowmead
Location
Looking out on the Pyramid stage
Fuck jostling for space with the crowds – wouldn’t it be great if you could just pitch up your tent, get your camping chair out and crack open a cider or ten with the Pyramid stage laid out in front of you? Well, if you play your cards right in Row Mead, you very well might achieve just that.
Pros
- Ideal if the line-up at the Pyramid stage particularly tickles your fancy.
- It’s right next to Worthy Farm, so you can give Michael Eavis a wave when he sets out on his morning jaunt around the festival site.
- You’re blocked off from the neighbouring Hawkwell site by some conveniently placed hedgerows.
Cons
- Very, very popular with the lazy set who intend to stay in mostly one place all festival – so get there early if you fancy being part of said lazy set.
Verdict
If you love the Pyramid, then you’ll love Row Mead.
Lime Kiln & Hitchen Hill
Location
At the most northerly point of the festival
These sites, located on the periphery of the festival, “tend to be quieter” – if you believe the Glastonbury site, that is. There’s always the chance that you’ll be camped next to some fool with a megaphone wherever you camp, and said fool may take a particular liking to Lime Kilns or Hitchin Hill – it’s just part of the great Glastonbury camping lottery.
Pros
- Found on the fringe of the site, so it tends to be quieter.
- Offers excellent views of the main site. Plus, from Lime Kiln, you can take great Instagram shots of Glastonbury Tor.
- Ideal for late arrivals, as it doesn’t fill up as quickly as the other areas.
Cons
- In no way ideal for those looking to party long into the night – your final act of the night will be a long, uphill slog back to your tent.
- It’s also bloody far away from the late-night frolics over on Glastonbury’s lower east side. So, so far.
Verdict
Good if you’re looking for a bit of piece and quiet in between the fun, as well as those who fancy building up their calve muscles during their Glastonbury experience.
Darble / Pylon Ground
Location
Northwest
These sites have been gaining kudos from regular Glastonbury goers in recent years, but it doesn’t mean that they’re packed to the rafters with Johnny-come-latelys – a mostly chilled vibe can still be found and enjoyed here.
Pros
- Darble is the first campsite that you encounter if you enter through Gate A, so it’s ideal if you just want to fall over and set your tent up on arrival.
- The area just above Darble is reserved especially for cyclists – so that’s an incentive for you to summon your inner Bradley Wiggins, isn’t it?
- Compost toilets are situated near Pylon Ground, which is great for those who don’t want a totally shitty toilet experience.
- Silver Hayes and the Woodsiesl Stage are within 5 minutes walk away. Oh yes they are.
Cons
- It’s a long walk from the late-night frivolity that can be found on Glastonbury’s southeastern corner.
- The pylons buzz gently at all times – not great if you’re a light sleeper (but, let’s face it, are you really going to Glastonbury to sleep?)
Verdict
Rather good for the cyclists and the lazy alike.
South Park
Location
South west, surprisingly.
Humorous name aside, this particular campsite is actually located to the south-west of the festival – although it does permit fine views of Glastonbury to the north, so maybe that’s where the name came from.
Pros
- It’s divided into two sites, so there’s plenty of space.
- Has a feeling of seclusion due to its location next to the perimeter fence and the hedgerows.
Cons
- Has a few slopes in places, which can make trudging through the mud just that little bit harder when you’re staggering back in the early morning.
- You’re looking at a 25-minute walk to The Pyramid Stage – so be sure to set off to see those acts in plenty of time, y’hear?
Verdict
The pros outweigh the cons, no?
Paines Ground
Location
West, to the south of the Park farm
Paines Ground shouldn’t be too much of a pain to find space in, since it’s actually pretty roomy.
Pros
- If you’re driving to Glastonbury, then you’ll like the sound of Paines Ground – it’s located right next to the car parks to the west of the site.
- It apparently doesn’t fill up instantly – people seem to be prone to going further afield to find a camping spot, so they often end up passing Paines Ground by on their entry to the festival.
Cons
- It did used to be prone to flooding – who knows what kind of damage the weather Gods might wreak?
- It’s a little far away from the majority of the action
Verdict
Perfect if you’ve had a long drive to Glasto.
Back House
Location
South west, near the campervan west site
A new addition in recent years, reports from last year’s festival suggested that this site didn’t open until the Thursday, possibly to account for overflow from other camping areas.
Pros
- It won’t be full if you don’t arrive until Thursday.
- It’s away from the main noise of the festival.
Cons
- Shangri La is literally on the other side of the festival site.
- Unfair Ground, Block 9 and Avalon aren’t exactly a stone’s throw away, neither.
Verdict
If you don’t mind getting a walk on the entire time you’re there, then this could well be the campsite for you – especially if you don’t plan on getting to Glasto until the Thursday.
Bailey’s
Location
In a bottle. JK, it’s to the south west
Small and secluded, it doesn’t fill up nearly as quickly as such nearby areas as the Dairy Ground.
Pros
- Small in size, so you won’t be totally surrounded by people and tents.
- If you’re coming in from Gate D, this is the first site you’ll hit – so if you’re not looking to amble with your camping equipment, this could very well be the spot you collapse in.
Cons
- Small in size, so room to camp there isn’t exactly unlimited.
- Like many of the sites in this corner of the site, Bailey’s is a little far away from the main action.
Verdict
Fine and dandy, if you don’t mind hiking to party town.
Tipi Village
Location
South of the site, above The Park stage and Pennard Hill Ground camping area
Fancy a nifty 18ft pre-erected home for the long weekend ahead? That’ll be £975, please. Yes, if you’ve money to burn, then you should really permit yourself a bit of Glasto luxury this year by booking a spot in the Tipi Village. One of the main draws of this arrangement is that your accommodation is ready-made for you upon arrival – tent pegs, guy ropes and canvas sights are truly a thing of the past.
Pros
- It offers an alternative – alright, an upgrade – to camping with the great unwashed, with toilets and showers at your disposal.
- It’s in a great location: it’s a five-minute walk to The Stone Circle, whilst it’s near Shangri La, Block 9 and the like.
- You’ve the opportunity to indulge your inner hippie by camping in a similar manner as the original Glastonbury hippies – it’s fun to keep certain traditions alive, isn’t it?
Cons
- The price – although if you do share with five other people, then it essentially could work out for you paying £32.50 a night for five nights’ sleep. Not too shabby, right?
- If you want to join the tipi crowd, then you could very well be shacking up next to some of the cast members of Made In Chelsea, or, even worse, the offspring of some Tory peers. Yikes.
- Oh yeah – it’s already sold out for 2016. Though festival organisers are promising to put any cancellations back on sale with the general Spring ticket resale.
Verdict
If you can afford it, then why the hell not?
Staff Camping
Location
Depends on who you work for
Didn’t get one of those regular tickets? Why not work at Glastonbury instead: then, bar the occasional eight-hour shift, you can attend the festival for FREE.
Let’s take a look at the Oxfam volunteering option as a means of example.
Pros
- Oxfam volunteers’ allocated campsite is one of the best in terms of facilities and provision of “well-being” – there’s not as much mud as anywhere else, there’s ample showers, and plenty of places to charge your phone. Paradise, really.
- The charity provide their own caterers, who offer what is allegedly some of the best food you can get on site: we’re talking pork belly, fish and chips, lasagne. Yum.
Cons
- The locality to the central hub of the festival is pretty poor: it’s a 20-minute walk to the Pyramid Stage, whilst it could take you a full hour to reach either Shangri La or Arcadia. If you didn’t pack your walking boots, then you’re in for a world of pain.
- You have to give up your time for the cause – that might mean you miss out on a headliner or three.
- You have to be an Oxfam volunteer to enter their camping area. Sounds pretty straightforward, right? Well, it doesn’t stop some degenerates who try and sneak into the special camping area in order to bag a free shower. For shame.
Verdict
If you get the chance to atone for your Glastonbury hedonism by doing a bit of charity work, then by all means take it.
Worthy View
Location
Outside the festival gates
Located at the southern-most point of the festival, Worthy View exists outside of Glastonbury: it’s the festival’s official off-site campsite. Offering “unpretentious, custom-made and pre-erected festival accommodation [that’s] a short walk from the Festival site”, it does sound rather special. But is it actually?
Pros
- Perfect if you’re one of these “glamper” types – not into the rigmarole of erecting your tent? Then Worthy View’s the one for you, as your tent will already be up and waiting for you when you arrive.
- Located away from the carnage of the main site, this site very rarely floods – so you can store your valuables away with plenty of peace of mind.
- It’s where a good chunk of the Glasto-attending celebs stay: Alexa Chung was spotted staying there last year (which, come to think of it could actually be a con).
Cons
- There’s just one con, but it’s a pretty major one – it’s already sold out. Sorry.
Verdict
If you bagged one of these during your original booking, then congratulations! If you didn’t, then… well, there’s always next year.
Cockmill Meadow
Location
North-east, below the Medical Centre
Although it is the designated family camping area, you won’t be turned away from here if you arrive without your offspring. But why ruin it for all the families who are sticking to the rules, eh?
Pros
- The place to go if you’re bringing your kids to Glasto – you hip parent, you.
- Located, quite helpfully, next to Kidz Field – the creche of your dreams.
Cons
- There’ll be loads of kids running around here – accentuating the sheer pain of your morning hangover.
- You have to think about how to get here – the eastern car parks (purple) are mostly unobtainable for most regular ticket holders, meaning that you’ll need to find a more convenient entrance.
Verdict
Perfect for families, not so much for everyone else.
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