Another question I get asked a lot from Glastonbury Festival newbies is where is the best place to camp at Glastonbury.
There is no best place to camp because different festival goers are looking for different things. Some people are looking to party all night, some want to camp near the Pyramid Stage and others want to camp in the quietest place possible.
A recent survey of regular Glastonbury attendees revealed that 60% of people return to the same camp spot year after year. That figure doesn’t surprise me. We go back to the same spot every year too.
This being Glastonbury, it’s not just a case of turning up and setting up camp. It all depends on what gate you enter the site at and what day and time you arrive.
Over the years I have learnt the hard way that these things matter. At my first Glastonbury Festival, I camped in a spot right next to the gate. I didn’t realise that I had to walk for an hour every night to get back to my tent!
I now know what car park to park in which will give me the shortest walk possible to my favourite camping site. We also arrive on Wednesday because our favourite campsites get filled up quickly.
Where to Camp at Glastonbury Festival?
Below are the camping sites within the festival site. Take your time in choosing which one appeals to you. No matter where you choose you are about to have the time of your life so don’t worry if you can’t camp at your chosen spot.
Check out this map of Glastonbury 2023 to give you an idea of where the campsites are: Glastonbury 2023 Map
This is a post on general camping at Glastonbury. There is a separate post on glamping at Glastonbury and another one for campervans at Glastonbury.
GLASTO PARKING AND GATE INFO 2023
Below is a downloadable sheet with all the parking and gate info for all the camping areas at Glastonbury.
Big Ground
Big Ground is the site we used to camp in. It is situated right in front of the Pyramid Stage and is ideal if you are going to spend most of your time watching the headliners.
You can hear the music from your tent too. This area gets filled up by Wednesday afternoon so if you want to camp here you need to get on-site early.
Even though Big Ground is situated in front of the Pyramid Stage it is not too noisy. That’s because after the music stops most people head to the South East Corner.
Big Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Purple and Blue
- Best Gate: B or C
Cockmill Meadow (Family Camping)
Cockmill Meadow is the site we camp in now. It is reserved for family camping. However, there is no designated ratio of adults to children in any group so families and friends without children can camp together.
It is situated across from the Big Ground with toilets at the top and bottom of the field. It also has coffee and breakfast stalls on the site.
Again, this site will be filled up by Wednesday afternoon. There are electric pylons across this spot that hum. This might bother some people. We never seem to notice it after 35,000 steps!
Cockmill Meadow Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Purple and Blue
- Best Gate: B or C
Row Mead
This is one of the most sort after camping spots at Glastonbury. That’s because you can watch the acts on the Pyramid Stage right from your tent.
Needless to say, this area gets filled up super quickly. What amazes me is that it always seems to be the same groups who manage to nab a spot. Fair play to them. It must be like a military operation to pull it off.
Row Mead Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Purple and Blue
- Best Gate: B or C
Kidney Mead
The Kidney Mead camping area is close to the Pyramid Stage, Cider Bus, Acoustic Stage and food stalls.
A win/win. However, this area is a major thoroughfare with some of the busiest toilets on site. If you are a good sleeper then this area is fine. It gets filled up quickly.
Kidney Mead Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Blue and Purple
- Best Gate: C or B
Hawkwell
The Hawkwell camping area is right at the top of the festival site. Worthy Farm is right behind it so you could pop in and have a cup of tea with Emily.
It is quite steep in parts so not ideal for camping but if you walk as much as we do at Glasto then you will be too exhausted to care.
Hawkwell Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Michael’s Mead
Michael’s Mead is right next to Hawkwell so again it is quite steep in places. You have great views of the site from up here. As it is almost bang in the middle of the site you can reach Michael’s Mead from both Gates A and B.
Michael’s Mead Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Spring Ground (Accessible Camping)
Spring Ground is the accessible camping area. There is a concrete ramp for wheelchairs and a charging area for mobility scooters. Make sure you register well in advance in order to be able to camp here. Along with yourself and PA/ carer, you can have an additional two other people camp with you in this field.
Spring Ground Glastonbury Tips:
- Wheelchair-accessible toilets
- Wheelchair accessible showers
- A Changing Places Unit containing an electric raised bed with a hoist above, it also has a sink and toilet.
- Please note that hoist slings will not be available. If you wish to use this unit please bring your own slings.
- Accessible sink and freshwater point.
- Charging facilities for wheelchairs and medical equipment.
- Fridge for the storage of medication.
- Hot water for cooking/ drinks.
- Waste disposal point.
- Stewards on hand 24/7 offering assistance where necessary.
- Best Car Park: The Accessible Carpark is located via the Yellow Gate.
- Blue badge holders do not need to buy a Festival parking ticket but must register for accessible parking by completing the Access Application Form.
- Best Gate: Yellow Gate
Hitchin Hill Ground
This is another area that is located right at the top of the festival site. Again it is on a slope but this spot fills up less quickly than the other northern camping areas.
Every year more people arrive on Wednesday but people have told us that this area still has spaces on Thursday.
Hitchin Hill Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Lime Kiln Ground
The Lime Kiln Ground is right at the top of the festival site giving you great views from your tent. If you are a party animal and know you will be heading to Shangri-La every night then I wouldn’t camp here. This is the furthest point from the South-East corner. Although you might enjoy the walk back!
Lime Kiln Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Wicket Ground (Family Camping)
This is the second family camping area and unlike Cockhill Meadow you have to be a family to be in this area. Stewards make sure you are in a family group to enter this area.
There are fences around the site too. Ideal if you have overexcited youngsters. Or parents for that matter!
Wicket Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Cyclist’s Camping
Glastonbury is encouraging more and more people to come to the festival by bike. If you come by bike you get secure bicycle lockups and your own campsite.
For a small fee, they also arrange return luggage delivery services from pre-arranged drop-off sites around Somerset and Bristol.
Cyclist’s Camping Gate Info:
- Best Gates: First Yellow and then A
Darble
Darble is located at the far west of the site and is ideal if you are going to Glastonbury by public transport. It is right next to the bus and coach station. The west side sites tend to be less busy than the east side ones.
Darble Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Lower Mead
If you want to be in the thick of the action then Lower Mead is for you. It is right next to the old John Peel stage now named Woodsies Stage and Silver Hayes isn’t too far away. San Remo is also located here pumping out tunes until 03:00. Get ready to party!
Lower Mead Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Pylon Ground (2023 Update, Crew Camping)
The Pylon Ground camping area has Pylons in it. Who knew? This area is now reserved for crew camping.
Pylon Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Rivermead (2023 Update)
Rivermead is now split in half. With one half for crew camping and the other half for punters.
It is below the Pylon Ground but with flatter ground. The nearby river could cause problems when it is a wet festival which happens a lot less than people imagine.
Rivermead Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Brown
- Best Gate: A
Bushy Ground
I have bad memories of the Bushy Ground. It is where I watched England lose to Germany in the 2010 World Cup.
I never realised until recently that you can now camp in this area. This is a big site with plenty of room to camp.
Keep in mind that it is located behind the Park Farm farmhouse which isn’t part of the festival. It means you have to walk around the farm to access the festival site.
Bushy Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Oxlyers
Some of our friends camp here and love the community vibe. It can get quite loud and busy so if you want peace and quiet this area isn’t for you.
This is also one of the flattest areas of the site so it could get quite muddy on wet years. Oxlyers is right next to the Other Stage and not too far from the Pyramid Stage.
So if you know you are going to be spending a lot of time at these stages this area could be for you. It fills up quickly.
Oxlyers Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Dairy Ground
This is the first area I camped in. I came through Gate D, dumped my pop-up tent and was all set.
Oh, how times have changed. Now I have a trolley and a much larger tent! The Dairy Ground camp area is large and always has space. If you are arriving late to the festival then this is a good spot to set up camp.
Dairy Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Park Home Ground
If you want to camp in the heart of the action then the Park Home Ground is for you. You will be sharing the area with the amazing Arcadia Stage. Arcadia pumps out music until 03:00 so stay up late or camp elsewhere.
Park Home Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Back House
I must admit I had never heard of this camping area. I noticed it on the 2019 Glastonbury map and wondered if it was a new addition.
From what I have read this area is sometimes closed off and used if other camping areas get too packed. It looks like it will be a permanent addition.
Back House Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Baileys
Baileys is a small camping area located in the Southwestern corner. It stays quite empty so if you want to camp in this part of the festival with mates then this could be a decent option.
Baileys Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Pennard Hill Ground
The Pennard Hill Ground is known as the party camping area. With the Stone Circle, Arcadia and the South East Corner all nearby don’t camp here if you want peace and quiet.
This spot is super popular so get here early on Wednesday to grab a spot.
Pennard Hill Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Paines Ground
The Paines Ground is one of the largest areas to camp in. It is next to the old Cineramageddon area and Arcadia. Again, this area is very popular so make sure you arrive early on Wednesday if you want to camp here.
Paines Ground Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Rig’s Field
Rig’s Field is quite a new camping area situated next to the old Campervans West spot. It is small and remote so you should not have trouble funding a spot here.
Rig’s Field Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
South Park 1
If you don’t mind walking then you could consider camping in South Park 1. It is quite far from most things so you should get a decent night’s sleep here.
South Park 1 Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
South Park 2
South Park 2 is the most Southernly camp area giving you great views of the festival site. It is on a slope so keep that in mind when pitching up your tent.
Always face downhill in case it rains. If you plan to spend a lot of time in front of the Pyramid Stage then maybe this spot isn’t for you as it can take up to an hour to get back.
South Park 2 Parking and Gate Info:
- Best Car Park: Orange
- Best Gate: D
Glastonbury Camping Tips and Tricks
Every year more and more people arrive at the festival on Wednesday. My advice would be for you to do the same. After all, you are entering the best place in the world. Make the most of it.
Don’t take gazebos! They take up precious space.
If you arriving after Wednesday, then tune into Worthy FM when you get close to the site for details on which fields have plenty of space.
If your chosen site is full, ask the camp stewards where there is space. They are super helpful and will let you know where you can camp.
Don’t turn up with a brand new tent, like we did one year and not know how big it is! Do a practice camp before Glasto.
If you do turn up on Thursday or Friday be prepared to walk across the site to find camping spots. This will be a lot harder when 80% of the festival-goers will be there already.
Pitch your tent away from the pathways and toilets. The pathways are busy and the toilets are well the toilets.
If you are camping with mates try and arrive at the same time. Trying to keep a space for friends is hard unless you want to stay by your tent for hours.
Use the What3words app to pin your tent on the map, that way you can find your way home after 15 hours of cider drinking.
Take EVERYTHING when you leave. Love the farm, leave no trace!
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The Glastonbury Festival Guidebook Is Now Available
Hey there, Glasto Newbie!
So, you’ve scored tickets to Glastonbury? Congrats! Now, let’s make sure your first time is more epic than a Pyramid Stage headliner. Our Glastonbury Festival Guidebook is like your cool best friend who’s been there, done that, and is ready to guide you through the festival’s wonders. Download it below:
