Ahhhh festival time is definitely in the air, with the recent and local, Lechlade Festival and the upcoming Garstonbury, it’s time to rock our socks off! It used to be that a festival meant a tent, in a muddy field and really only appealed to ‘die hard’ music fans. You can still do a festival on the cheap, in a small camping tent, but more and more festival goers are opting for Glamping alternatives.

What is Glamping? It’s the amalgamation of the words glamorous and camping – glamping, meaning a more luxurious ‘abode’ with added extras, which often include, carpets, lanterns, candles, and a proper bed! From huts to bell tents, to yurts, the list goes on. Glamping at festivals has definitely caught on in a big way and with the British weather being unpredictable at best, and downright torrential at worst, festival goers are fed up with having to put up tents whilst getting drenched. Glamping, gives you the option to have a great time from the outset.

Here are a few Festival Glamping ideas,

Podpads are popping up everywhere this year (literally), including Cornbury Music Festival, Isle of Wight, Womad and Camp Bestival to name but a few. First appearing at Glastonbury in 2004, the range has grown each year. The basic Podpad is pretty sturdy, and will stand up to most severe weather conditions, with 12v car dashboard sockets, solar powered LED lighting, carpeting, mirror and hanging storage, the Podpad can be positively cosy.

Don’t fancy a pod? Would rather look at a Yurt or Tipi? How about a Cloudhouse? We didn’t know what one was either! It’s a form of Persian Yurt called an Alachigh, and measures 10 feet in diameter, by 7 feet in height (in the centre). This furnished festival option, from Yurts and Squirts (we just love the name), comes with rugs, fluffy sheepskins, co-ordinating cushions, table lantern and tea lights.

Or how about these, Hobbit Huts, available at many festivals this Summer, including Shambala, Boardmasters and Love Supreme. Cornish born and bred, the Hobbit Huts have been handcrafted using sustainable materials. Although small and inviting, they still come with a cosy bed, a lamp, heating, coat hooks and vital space for your wellies. To complete the experience they include two ‘hobbity chairs’ and a ‘hobbitshire’ fire pit.

And whilst we’re at it, how about a few final packing tips for your next festival? Of course packing for a one day festival is a world away from all the kit you need for a weekend, but some items do double duty!

So this weekend, don’t forget, Sun Lotion (it will be sunny!!), Emergency Poncho (we live in Britain), Sun Hat, Water supplies, Toilet Seat Covers (do you want to hover?), and most importantly your Festival Tickets. For a more detailed packing list for weekend festivals, take a look at our Festival Packing Guide.

We hope we’ve given you a little insight into the glamping options available at Festivals, along with some packing tips, and do let us know if you opt to go glamping at your Festival this year. Give us a tweet on @4pointsleisure or Facebook us, and have fun this summer.

Jo Rigden
4 Points Leisure