Ok we go to festivals throughout the summer (Glastonbury/V/Reading/Big Chill etc) so here are my top tips ;

- Wet Wipes
- Toilet Roll
- Suncream (Sun wipes are really handy too)
- Aftersun
- Insect repellent
- Bin liners (emergency wet weather kit and err rubbish)
- Small gas cooker & spare gas
- Mug/spoon
- Small camping kettle
- Towel
- Pillow (If space is an issue then take an empty pillowcase and fill it with spare clothes when you get there)
- Airbed & Pump (Rollmat if space is an issue)
- Tent/pegs/poles (really worth doing a trial run putting it up before you leave)
- Sleeping bag or duvet
- Personal torch and tent lamp
- Collapsable water carrier
- Toiletries
- Small first aid kit (make this up yourself the bought ones are normally crap. Include stuff like immodium/resolve/anadin etc)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Travel battery alarm clock
- Wet weather kit
- Folding chairs
- Daybag/travel bag with wallet/tickets/travel docs in.

Also worth taking ;

- Camera/batteries/charger/film etc
- radio
- Map
- Sun brolly/old fishing brolly (something to provide shade if its hot).

Taking the piss ;

We're adding to the above with a small fridge (24 can capacity runs off mains or 12v DC). European converter and extension cable.

Things to bear in mind ;

If it's warm then you will not be able to stay in your tent much past 9am. Tents heat up really quickly in the sun and soon become unbearable. If there is room at the pitch then get hold of a brolly or something to provide shade and flop out there when it gets too hot.

Regarding cooking. Take enough kit to be able to brush your teeth and make a cup of tea at your tent. You could also make cup a snacks and such. Cafe for everything else. You may be determined to cook for yourself but what you will do is cook bacon, egg and sausage once, everything left over will go off overnight and then the dirty pans and plates will be left outside your tent gathering bugs for a fortnight before being binned in the rush to pack up. Trust me on this one.

Don't be tempted to piss up the tree near your tent. The walk to the toilets might be a pain in the arse in the middle of the night but it's nothing compared to the smell of week old piss in the morning.

Take extra special care to drink lots of water and keep protected from the sun if it's warm. Going full on 24hours a day can be done for a few days but can't be kept up forever. Pace yourself and enjoy your entire stay not just the first couple of days.

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