THE DOS AND DON’TS OF CAMPING FESTIVALS: A Beginner’s Guide BY REENA MISTRY, HEAD AT MARKETING AT FLOGAS Summer is upon us, and many of us have ideas of embracing the outdoors while the weather is good.
F
or many, the summer doesn’t start until the festivals do. If this is your first time camping at a festival, you’ll want to know what you need to prepare. Some of the essentials are a no-brainer, such as a tent, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Here, we’ve created the camping festival dos and don’ts so that everything runs smoothly.
Wellies are a must-have for your camping festival. You don’t have to worry about ruining your wellies in the inevitable mud, and they’ll even keep the bottoms of your trousers safe from splashes. Remember to pop them in a bag when you get back to your tent, though – this will keep your sleeping area mud-free.
DON’T SPLASH THE CASH ON FESTIVAL FOOD Unless you’re eager to break the bank, it’s sensible to bring your own food with you rather than purchasing it at food stalls. The average festival goer will spend a staggering £46 a day on food, making it the largest daily spend at a festival. Bringing your own food doesn’t mean opting for multipacks and eating something tasteless for the entirety of the festival. Many festivals allow portable gas BBQs, so you can cook up a storm for you and your fellow campers. Sausages for breakfast will go down a treat, and BBQ burgers at lunchtime will keep you going all day.
PREPARE FOR BAD WEATHER AND PACK YOUR WELLIES Although we’re all eager to soak up the sunshine, UK weather is unpredictable – so it’s best to be prepared for the worst. Rain is a possibility, and given the amount of time you will be spending outdoors, you’ll need to be ready for a possible downpour.
28
LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
COMFORT IS KEY: BRING AN AIRBED Sleeping outdoors isn’t as easy as just pitching your tent and lying down there and then. You may think that the quality of your sleeping bag is going to determine how cosy you can be during the night. While it will keep you toasty, sleeping directly on top of the ground, no matter the quality of your sleeping bag, is going to be unbearable. An air bed is an essential item to take with you as it provides a soft, even, and cushioned surface for you to rest your head on, as opposed to settling for a restless night on the hard and bumpy ground.
www.lancmag.com