The start of summer means lots of things here in the UK – warmer weather (in theory), Wimbledon, wasps, dusting the tent off if you haven’t already, and a countdown to the kids’ summer holidays.
It also signals the start of festival season, and if you’ve booked to go to one of the many festivals in the UK or abroad, then you need to make sure you have the right equipment.
We’ve drawn up a handy festival checklist with all the essentials you need to ensure you have a great time and that everything runs smoothly.
Read on to discover our essential festival camping checklist…
Let’s start with the most important piece of kit – a good festival tent.
You always get those groups at festivals who take an enormous 12-man tent, but for most, something small and lightweight will suffice. Well. Depending on how many there are of you!
It’s no secret that festival campsites are very crowded places, and with plenty of alcohol flowing, there’s a reasonable chance someone is going to either bump into your tent or, without question, trip over your guylines.
For that reason, we wouldn’t recommend spending a fortune on a festival tent – something relatively cheap is better so that it’s not the end of the world if it does get damaged.
We’d also recommend making your tent stand out in some way to help you find it in the sea of others. For example, some of our tents have bright and eye-catching designs, but even if you opt for one of the simpler designs – try attaching a flag or even painting something on the side.
Some may consider leaving their tent at the festival to avoid packing it up, but we’d always recommend taking it with you – remember someone has to clean it up!
To browse our full selection of festival tents, click here.
This is a camping essential you really can’t forget. A camping chair will likely be the spot where you spend most of your downtime, surrounded by your festival-goer crew, talking over the memories of the night before.
That’s why it’s always a good idea to invest in a comfortable camping chair. It doesn’t have to be anything too fancy, just comfortable and durable enough to see you through your exciting experience.
Nowadays, there are some pretty decent camping chairs out there that will do a wonderful job of keeping you comfortable and relaxed at a festival. Which type is right for you will depend on your preference. For example, if you love a little luxury – go for a reclining camping chair.
To browse our full selection of camping chairs, click here.
Sleep might not be that high on your agenda at a festival, but when it does come to getting some shut-eye, you want to make sure you have a comfortable night’s sleep. A great quality sleeping bag is essential for any camper, and festival-goers are no exception.
Hopefully, you’ll have some nice warm weather during the festival, but the nights can still get quite cold. A three or four-season sleeping bag will keep you comfy in all weathers, while a double sleeping bag is handy if you want to cosy up and cut down on space.
To browse the best selection of sleeping bags for festivals, click here.
A sleeping mat goes hand in hand with your sleeping bag. It’ll allow you to have a much better night’s sleep – especially if you opt for a self-inflating sleep mat. It might seem like a hassle to take one when you’re setting off, but you’ll be grateful in the morning. Trust us!
We highly recommend checking out our full range of both sleeping bags and sleeping mats if making sure you’re thoroughly rested is a priority for you.
Or, if you’re heading to a festival with the family, our range of sleeping bags for children may also be of interest. Click here to check those out!
Let us paint a picture for you. It’s the first morning of your weekend festival getaway, and you’ve just woken up. You decided against bringing a camping pillow with you – and now you’ve woken up feeling super stiff. This is because a pillow helps to keep your body supported whilst you sleep. Most importantly, your neck.
Worst case scenario, you’ll end up feeling a little stiff with a lingering headache that won’t seem to go away. But, no one wants to spend their first day of a festival like that, do they?
Invest in a camping pillow, and thank us later. Or, make sure that the sleeping bag you go includes one.
To browse our camping pillows, click here.
You have a couple of choices when it comes to eating at music festivals. However, prepare for on-site festival food to be pricey. So, you can either pay through the nose for burgers from a van or you can cook for yourself. If you prefer the latter, you’ll need a camping stove and a few bits and pieces of cookware.
NOTE: Before you go to the festival, check their policies on camping stoves, BBQs and grills, as some don’t allow them, while others have strict guidelines about what you’re allowed to take.
A small portable gas stove should be enough to take care of the basics, such as boiling water. However, if you’re allowed, it might be worth taking something a little larger so you can cook as a group, which will reduce the amount of gas you use – plus it really is great fun!
You’ll also need to ensure that you bring a few bits of cookware and utensil with you. For example, a frying pan, coffee flasks, plates, and cutlery.
Click here to browse all of our camping stoves and here to check out our full selection of camping cookware.
We would always recommend taking a small first aid kit with you, even if you just end up using it for scrapes or blisters from dancing all night long. To browse our first aid kits, click here.
To ensure you can carry everything you need to and from the festival, you’ll need a good quality rucksack or bag. Try and give yourself a little room in the bag as nothing will pack quite as small after the festival, and you don’t want it to be bursting at the seams.
Shop our selection of festival rucksacks and bags.
Wellies are a real festival essential, so even if it rains and/or gets muddy, your feet will stay nice and dry. And with some of the funky designs we have available, you’ll make a real fashion statement too.
Our recommendation would be to invest in a pair of Hunter wellies. They’re a fashionable yet durable footwear option, making them an ideal choice for festival-goers. Plus, you’ll be able to use them for many other outdoor experiences, as Hunter wellies are known for preserving their impeccable quality for years to come.
Shop our great range of wellies now. Or, to browse our selection of Hunter wellies, click here.
Again, if you want to prepare for the unpredictable British summer, then make sure you have a waterproof coat with you.
You don’t need anything too bulky, so opt for a thin lightweight waterproof, and just pop an extra layer underneath if you’re worried about getting cold.
See all of our waterproof jackets.
If it’s a little too warm to be wearing wellies, ensure you have a great pair of trainers with you.
It’s better to assume that you’ll experience at least a little drizzle. It is the UK, after all! So, at the very least, expect to walk through a bit of mud here and there.
A great quality pair of trainers will ensure that your feet remain protected and comfortable, which is especially important in a festival environment.
You’ll be on your feet wandering around a lot, so having a great quality pair of footwear with you will feel like a godsend after a while! Plus, there are super stylish options out there that you’ll have no problem matching with your festival outfits.
To shop our superb range of footwear, click here.
Sunglasses are an absolute essential – especially if you happen to be going to a summer festival.
You’ll have more chance of being blessed with pleasant weather, but there’s nothing worse than having to walk around a festival squinting your eyes instead of being able to focus on what’s happening around you. This is easily avoidable if you have a pair of sunglasses with you!
What’s more, sunglasses aren’t just a stylish accessory. They’ll also help to protect your eyes from harsh UV rays. For this reason, we always recommend opting for sunglasses that’ll provide you with 100% UV protection.
To browse our full range of premium quality sunglasses, click here.
If sunglasses aren’t your thing, we’d recommend bringing a hat with you, at the very least. Nothing too bulky, a baseball cap will suffice.
A baseball cap will look super trendy at a festival, and it’ll help to protect your eyes and face from harsh UV rays.
If you don’t like baseball caps – go for a bucket hat. This style of hat is ultra-popular at festivals, and a great quality bucket hat will protect you from UV rays and wet weather.
If you do happen to prefer bucket hats, we would highly recommend checking out our selection of Tilley hats. This brand is renowned for its stylish designs and unbeatable quality.
To check out our full hat selection, click here. Or, to browse our collection of Tilley hats, click here.
When packing for a festival, it’s so easy to forget a bunch of things – as you’ll likely just be eager to get there! So, we thought it would be helpful to list a few little extras that future you will be very grateful for. See below for more information.
We hope you enjoyed reading our festival camping checklist. If you’re looking for inspiration, click here to check out our recent blog post on the best upcoming festivals in the UK.
Whether you want to get up and out at short notice, or have had it in your diary for weeks, make sure that you have everything you need before venturing out on a short break with Winfields.
Discover the most worthwhile camping equipment that’ll enhance any outdoor adventure with Winfields Outdoors.
Camping is one of the best things about going to a music festival, and recently we’ve been giving you plenty of advice about camping at festivals to help you enjoy yourself even more. Check out some of our articles below… Camping At Music Festivals: A Beginner’s Guide The Parents’ Guide To Camping At Music Festivals […]
