Glastonbury alone?

[Gusanita]

I don't know if this is the best place to ask this, but I've been wanting to go to Glastonbury since I was 16. This year I've decided to try my luck and have got a ticket but have no one to go with.

I was planning on going with my 4 year old. Do you think that it would be stupid to go just the 2 of us?

If anyone has any experiences of Glastonbury or any advice then please let me know.

Thanks

[trig9k]

I've been on my own at Glast before and had a good time but not as great when with friends , as for taking a 4yr old I think thats a bit young and will spoil your experience Glast is so big going from A-B takes forever and with a little one even longer and that's if its a dry Glast

First time I took my lad to a fest he was 8yrs old and could walk and talk still hard work at that age , took him again to Reading at Ten and he got knocked about a bit in the crowds because he was soo small but loved it

There are areas for small kids and family camping at Glast but do you wont to spend your time at a play area or enjoying the best fest on the planet ?

[Gusanita]

Hi thanks for your reply. I don't have any friends to go to Glastonbury with, hence why I decided to register to see if I could work something out.

I know it wouldn't be the same as going with friends or without a child but I was hoping that it could still be fun. So more like the kind of fun you have when you wake up and have no plans but just go with the flow.

I have no idea of what the family area would be like but know that Glastonbury is meant to be 'family friendly'. Is the family area really that bad, and are there no people that take their children to other parts?

[Tallow]

I wouldn't mind going to Glastonbury alone, although I too would say it's preferable with other people. That said, you're unlikely to find an environment better for interacting with complete strangers, which can be part of the fun of the festival.

I too would hesitate to bring a child as young as that though - as an adult, it takes (I estimate) a good hour to go from one side of the site to the other. A lot of the weekend can be spent wandering and looking and I can imagine after a few hours a 4 year old would be pretty exhausted and unhappy with that...

[trig9k]

Gusanita said:

Hi thanks for your reply. I don't have any friends to go to Glastonbury with, hence why I decided to register to see if I could work something out.

I know it wouldn't be the same as going with friends or without a child but I was hoping that it could still be fun. So more like the kind of fun you have when you wake up and have no plans but just go with the flow.

I have no idea of what the family area would be like but know that Glastonbury is meant to be 'family friendly'. Is the family area really that bad, and are there no people that take their children to other parts?

Glastonbury is very child friendly and ideal if your with a family + friends to help share responsibilities but just you and a 4yr old would be hard work 24-7, as has been said its a lot of walking unless you just stay in the family area but that would be a shame to miss out on whats happening on the main stages and what go's on after dark in Arcadia and other zones , its exhausting for an adult let alone a little one ,, my wife only went with me once as she said it was way too much walking


I managed to get lost the first day twice (the days before the mobile) and did not see my friends all weekend but met lots of other people and had a good time


Why not try the liftshare ? its a good way to meet some people http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/information/...

Edited by trig9k on Tuesday 29th January 15:07

[Gusanita]

Thanks for your input and suggestions. I may try going for long walks with my daughter to see how we cope with it. I have until April to pay for the ticket so I have a bit of time to see how we both get on.

[cornet]

If you're with a 4 year old, and you're out late enough to see the headline acts then I would pick a stage and stay there for the last 3 bands of the stage.

I'd also make sure you make your exit well before the final act finishes. Every year there huge crowds of people trying to move quickly between stages in order to see the bands they want. It's very easy for people to become separated.

Also don't even entertain going anywhere near trash city/block 9 in the evening. The crowds there are ridiculous.


That said I know people that have taken young children and had a great time. Plenty of stuff for them to do and it's a much nicer atmosphere than Leeds/Reading or V festival.

[Agoogy]

I'd do it, if I were you, seeing as your approach is : it'll be a 4-5 day holiday where we'll get up and just 'do stuff'
There is simply a massive amount of things to see and do, take part in or just watch.
Weather depending, you can always put your child on your shoulders for the last mile... but you get a map, you can plan your day to an extent.

For me the 'danger' areas would be weather: if it's hot/sunny there is quite little shade around and refreshments aren't cheap (other than water). If it's cold/wet/windy, the mud is fun for a bit, but can get wearing.
Combine those with the aforementioned surge's from one stage to another or at the end of a set, even as an adult those periods of time caught at a pinch point can become tense or awkward...
Toilets, you know what you're going to get, and the conditions are barely acceptable whatever the weather. If you're sat in a filed watching a band, the walk to and from a block can be the most wearing aspect... so as much as you'll go with the flow, some planning is essential day to day.

I'd have loved to take my 4 year old there, but I probably would've tethered her to me at specific times..the thought of being seperated there is pretty chilling.

Maybe get your child to get used to ear plugs too! haha...depending on who sets up camp next to you...that could be useful... wet wipes and bin bags too. Keep the trash/dirt out of your tent.

I've been alone, it was both odd as you don't have the conversation or company, but equally you do what you want when you want...no disagreements about who to see and where to meet at a specific time.

[Gusanita]

Thanks for the positive replies. Agoogy, that's definitely how I see it! I do worry about not being realistic as I'm thinking a lot on getting her glow sticks and fairy lights (I'd be more unlikely to lose her then?!?!).

I'm going to get some ear-muffs and talk to her in advance to prepare her and gauge her reaction before getting too excited! I do think it would involve me carrying her about on my shoulders, so I'll try to prepare myself for that too!

[trig9k]

Gusanita said:

Thanks for the positive replies. Agoogy, that's definitely how I see it! I do worry about not being realistic as I'm thinking a lot on getting her glow sticks and fairy lights (I'd be more unlikely to lose her then?!?!).

I'm going to get some ear-muffs and talk to her in advance to prepare her and gauge her reaction before getting too excited! I do think it would involve me carrying her about on my shoulders, so I'll try to prepare myself for that too!

lots of people with young kids use pull-along carts that way its somewhere for the kid to sit when tired and a place to store seats food/drink and a sun shade , as said there ain't much shade when its hot

I'm not trying to put you off taking your daughter just trying to be realistic , I've been going for 23yrs and would not dream of taking a 4yr old on my own , maybe with my wife so we can share the load and I can sneak off to the main stage

If its going to be a nice weekend enjoying a moment with your little girl go for it but you will sacrifice late night fun and main stage after dark as its way too busy

I would say try Bestival on the Isle of White if you wont to take your little one as its a lot smaller and easier to get around ,less people and more family friendly and on the Saturday every one dresses up in fancy dress ,, your daughter will love it

[Agoogy]

wow, couldn't disagree more...it's clear to see the undesirables and areas that may not be doable and with decent planning and a "we're not here for serious festival music appreciation" attitude, I would have no problem taking a little one...

That said Bestival or Camp Bestival in Lulworth IS a whole new ball game in terms of child friendly...

[bullies180]

best bet would be to join the efestivals forum and find out where that group is camping. They normally arrange it before on the forum and anyone is welcome. Although not sure it still happens as haven't been on the site in years. Miss Glasto, been a few years since i last went!