Ah, Glastonbury! Where all sorts come together for a bonkers weekend of merriment, including one old Wren returning for her fourth time, volunteering with the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts. But if it’s your first time heading to Worthy Farm — or the first time in years — you might be wondering: What should I be packing for Glastonbury (without feeling like a walking camping store)?
Let me help. I’m not aiming this post at those youngsters we will definitely see trying to haul enough booze onto site that they could open a bottle shop. (The rule is you can bring in whatever you want for personal consumption.) This post is for the newbies of my age who have been lucky enough to win through in the ballot after decades of trying!
Here’s your ultimate Glasto packing list for somewhat stylish survival — especially if you’re 50+ and still fabulous.
What is Glastonbury?
This five-day festival is held near Pilton, Somerset, England, and is my Iron Women event of the season. I have previously said my PB for the event is to survive and thrive as a steward in the all-night party area of the SE corner and still be standing with a grin on my face by the end of it, with enough energy to make it to the Pyramid Stage.
Nothing prepares you for the sheer scale of Glasto. They say walking around the perimeter fence is 8 km. What I absolutely love about being part of this event is that there is no dry run. It is superbly organised. When Michael and Emily Eavis shoo out the cows and open that farm gate on Wednesday morning, and over 200,000 plus people come streaming in, the event runs on an incredible atmosphere. Even the police ride horses decorated with flowers.
Glastonbury is where legends meet mystical fields, glitter mixes with mud or dust in recent years, and you’re just as likely to meet a wellness guru as a wizard in wellies. For this week (almost) anything goes!
The Festival Packing Essentials
The limiting factor is what you can bring is what you can carry, so less is more when it comes to most things. Glasto is like a town where you can buy most things; there is a full-on Co op supermarket, even if you might have to queue for entry, a camping store where dippy people like me who forgot their sleeping bag, yes really can buy one on arrival, a pharmacy, not to mention a myriad of clothing stores. You want it you can probably find it here.
- Ticket, ID, and wristband info – Check twice. No entry without them!
- Festival app or printed map – Battery dies, be prepared.
- Day backpack & Bum bag – with hand sanitiser, tissues, plasters, refillable water bottle, loo roll, bank card/money, snacks, lip salve & sun screen.
- Phone + the biggest power bank you can afford.
- Top Tip! Label the phone with your name and a contact number so it can be returned, or save the details to your home screen.
Sleep Setup (for the not-so-hardcore camper)
- Decent lightweight tent – Preferably one you can stand up in.
- Inflatable mattress & pump – Your back will thank you.
- Sheet, Sleeping bag and extra blanket – Nights can be very chilly.
- Earplugs & eye mask – Glasto is an all-night venue.
In my tent kit, you will find a blow-up mattress, on top of a yoga mat, my pillow, and a sleeping bag chosen to keep me warm (woolly socks and a beanie some nights). When it’s not boiling, it’s freezing. I have never regretted taking extra bin liners, kitchen roll, a battery light, Tupperware containers, and some middle-of-the-night emergency porta potty!
The year it was super hot and showers were banned to preserve water, I did look enviously at those who had bought the reflective strips to keep their tent cool.
Disclaimer: As volunteers, we can set up before the event, and have a car parking pass, so it’s a question of how many trips to the car we can muster. Driving to Glastonbury is discouraged, and much emphasis is placed on being a climate hero and cutting your carbon footprint.
Wren’s Tip: You’re Glamping? Lucky you. I’m so jealous!
What to Wear: Festival Chic Meets Practical Magic
I’m never going to take my best clothes to Glasto. I’m looking for dark, bright, fun, easy-to-put-on clothes in a tent, so no skinny jeans or jumpsuit for me. And remember those loos—you don’t want anything on those floors. Pro tip take an S hook so you can hang your bag off the floor.
Buying new clothes for the Festival is a big ‘No No’. After all, you will either be championing or be mixing with the best of the sustainability crowd, so head to the charity shops and hold your head up high.
Make a last-minute call on the weather. I generally spend most of the day in flowery leggings and wellies. Pack one full-on festival ‘look, at me, I’m here for fun’, outfit for Sunday.
In my clothes bag:
- WELLIES. Full stop. It’s Glasto. They’re your best friends, as long as they’re comfy & it ain’t boiling!
- Comfortable boots/trainers – For dry days, you won’t believe the miles you will walk.
- Light waterproof jacket – A must-have, not a maybe.
- Layered clothing – Think: leggings/shorts, thermal vest, jumper, breathable tops,
- Hats – Not just for the look, but for sun/rain protection.
- Sunglasses – For the vibe and the UV.
- Outfit sparkle – Sequins, scarves, something a little wild. You’re at Glastonbury, after all, just make sure the glitter is biodegradable.
- Sarong, as a cover-up or to sit on.
Staying Fresh(ish)
- Microfibre towel
- Wet wipes are the biggest no-no, so bring a face cloth and use your Tupperware container as a wash basin.
- Hand sanitiser – Trust me, you’ll use it a lot.
- Toothbrush + paste
- Eco-friendly soap or body wash – There are showers if you’re committed!
- Sunscreen & after sun.
- Toilet roll – unless you are glamping, it is not provided
- Top Tip: Collect your half-used loo rolls beforehand so you are not carrying a big roll with you, pre-load tissues in every pocket before you leave!
Food & Drink
You needn’t worry that you will go hungry at Glasto. The range of food available is impressive, and you will soon work out your favourites!
You have to carry it in, so our rules are that you have to eat or drink it—it can’t come home!! Regarding all that beer, do you want warm beer? The prices are high, but they are not outrageous.
For me, the most important are
- Reusable water bottle – Fill stations are everywhere, and the water is tested for drinking.
- Snacks – Trail mix, flapjack, protein bars, apples, satsumas, nuts,
- Reusable coffee cup – If you can’t start your day without a caffeine fix.
Glastonbury Toilets
Preparing for and surviving the toilets is all part of the Glastonbury experience. Here are some of my top tips. I’m careful what I eat, and this is not the time to drastically change your diet. I have never been sick from the food at Glastonbury (famous last words!), and I try to stay reasonably hydrated.
- Look for the compost loos rather than the long drop toilets (oh, the smell!)
- Dress to get in and out as quickly as possible.
- Some say wafting Olbas oil under your nose helps you cope better with the smell—I’d prefer to go with the above!
- Do not wait until you’re bursting for a pee; plan ahead.
- Never pass a half-decent-looking loo without a queue!
- You’ll get good at spotting which loos have just been cleaned or emptied!
- More Glastonbury toilet info here including how to use the compositing toilets
Little Luxuries That Make a Big Difference
- Foldable camp chair – For tired legs at sunset.
- Solar-powered fairy lights – For your tent. Helps you find home!
- Scarf or pashmina – For warmth, shade, or a pillow.
- Festival trolley to wheel things in – can’t bring if arriving by train/bus
- Clothes pegs to dry your towel, clothes, combo lock for the tent
Lost property
They have a fabulous team who sort through all the lost property, so if you lose a phone, do not fret, the bond at Glastonbury is so lovely, chances are it will be handed in and you can collect it. You need to trek up to Worthy Farm for lost property.
I make a trip up there each year, and it’s massive and incredible what is handed in.
Last top tips:
Take a spare pair of glasses, and yes, the camping store keeps spare reading glasses in case you lose them like me (every time!)
Remember your medication and Hayfever tablets if needed – you are camping in a cow paddock after all.
Bin liners—from a door mat for your muddy/dusty shoes in your tent to something to sit on for rubbish, wet, and dirty clothes… you’ll never regret these and the ziplock bags you sneak in with these!
Portable mini fan!
Leave These at Home
- Glass bottles (not allowed)
- Gazebos
- Valuables you’d be heartbroken to lose
- A bad attitude (Glasto magic requires good vibes only)
Final Thoughts: You Do You
We hope this has given you some ideas for what to pack for Glastonbury. You don’t have to dress like a unicorn (unless you want to), nor do you have to stay up until sunrise. Glastonbury is big enough for every kind of festival-goer — and there’s no upper limit to when you can join the Glasto family!
Whether you’re grooving to Charli XCX, Neil Young or Rod (let’s hope he’s over the flu), finding zen in the Healing Fields, or sipping chai while watching the sun dip behind the Pyramid Stage — it’s your Glasto. You’re one of the lucky ones of 2.5 million applicants, after the 210,000 + places, you’ve earned it, you do you!
Happy Glasto wanders, have fun!
For all the details, see the Glastonbury Website and download the official Glastonbury Festival 2025 mobile App.
Want to read more on my previous experiences at Glastonbury? See: Everything Glitters at Glastonbury.
3 comments
It sounds like you planned well for Glastonbury, it is well known event and very popular.
You have a great list of tips and suggestions . Have fun!
Take care, have a great day!
Thank you so much Eileen – we have to hope the weather is as good as in previous years!! We will have fun for sure, although sadly we are working during Rod Stewart.
Have a great day too
Wren x
This is an excellent checklist for anyone going to the festival.