The ultimate guide to attending a festival in your caravan

Festivals are a blast, but attending them in a caravan takes the experience to a whole new level. Traditionally, it may have been the norm to stay in a tent, but there’s definitely an increasing trend to rock up in a caravan these days as well. Whether it’s just for the weekend or longer, it’s definitely doable - and there’s much to be said for sleeping in a bed rather than on a tent floor (trust me, I know). Here’s your ultimate guide to making the most of festival season in your caravan…

Choosing the right festival

First things first: pick the perfect festival for you. Obviously you’ll be considering the type of music or events that you love, and the location of course, but you also need to make sure the festival allows caravans in the first place.

Most of the big festivals have allocated caravan/motorhome fields or areas, which is good news. Glastonbury might have already come and gone for this year, but there are many others still to come, such as Latitude and the Big Feastival, and these both cater for caravans.

When booking, be sure to check the set up and the facilities available - look at everything from the provision of toilets and showers to the space allowed between units – these factors can vary a lot from one event to another. Unless you’re very lucky, there won’t be the luxury of mains hook-up so you need to be prepared for that. Also, it could be a hike to any water points, if these are available. If you can, it’s well worth filling up with fresh water before you arrive. 

See what they say about the pitching areas - remember the ground might not be flat, and the caravan areas could be set apart from the main camping areas, so do think about any accessibility issues if this might be a problem for anyone you have on board.

It’s also a good idea to check in advance if you can take additional items such as awnings.

Be aware of what’s required for your particular festival

This is a really important bit of info! Often you will need a separate caravan ticket in addition to your festival ticket, so not only do you not want to get caught out by not buying one in advance, there’s also a cost factor to consider as these can be several hundred pounds for the bigger festivals. Tents may be free at most festivals, but caravans certainly aren’t.

Also, be aware that your caravan ticket may need to have the same name on it as your festival ticket, so don’t get caught out on that one if you are offered a caravan ticket from someone else who may no longer need theirs. Your ticket also needs to be suitable for the vehicle you are bringing - Glastonbury Festival, for example, stipulates that one caravan ticket can be booked per booking transaction, and that those with caravans over 8m must book a large pitch, as only certain pitching areas are available for caravans over that length. 

Apparently, staff at Glastonbury also check that your caravan has ‘suitable fitted facilities’ in terms of cooking, sleeping and washing, and their website says there is no electricity available. Awnings are permitted, but only if they fit within the pitch size you have bought. You also can’t park in the general car parks and sleep in your caravan, as that’s forbidden.

In essence, check the small print for the festival you are attending to avoid missing out on key information, or worse - being prevented from entering.

I have a slight problem - what if I haven’t got a caravan?

What if you haven’t got a caravan, or there’s a problem with yours? You can always hire one! These days there are many companies that hire out both caravans and motorhomes for festivals. A word of advice though - book one way in advance as this is becoming quite a popular way to do festivals. Many companies will even drop the caravan off to the festival for you, if you are not picking it up yourself. Check that the festival allows this, though.

We'll just park this here as an alternative. Fancy a comfy home on wheels instead, anyone?

Sort your vehicle prep

So, once you’ve got your ticket you can start planning. Preparation is key to a successful festival experience (basically, no-one wants to break down at a festival, as that would totally kill the mood).

Check that you’ve covered this lovely lot:

Mechanical checks

Ensure both your tow vehicle and your caravan are in tip-top condition before you go. Check the tyres, brakes, and all fluid levels. If there’s any issues, get them sorted way in advance.

Power supply

Check that all your batteries are charged. You might want to consider using solar panels for extra power, too.

Water and waste 

Fill up your fresh water tank and empty the waste tanks before you head off.

Comfort essentials

Take some suitable bedding, the toiletries you need and some cleaning materials for the caravan such as washing up liquid and wipes.

Food and cooking supplies

If you want to keep costs down, plan for a few easy-to-cook meals that you can cook inside the caravan. Remember that many festivals might not allow BBQs. Some festivals allow you to take in alcohol, some don’t, so you might need an adequately-sized mini fridge or cooler in the caravan. 

Pack smart

You’ll want to ensure you have everything you need:

Clothing

Bring weather-appropriate clothing and extras for unexpected changes, such as heavy rain. Don’t forget your wellies…

Camping gear and the essentials

If you think you’ll spend some time in and around the caravan, you might want to include chairs, tables, and lighting for the morning and evening. Pack a first aid kit, sunscreen, insect spray, and any personal medication. Also, some painkillers for the mornings if you will be drinking lots of cider in the sun…

On arrival

It’s a good idea to plan your arrival carefully. The early bird certainly catches the worm in this instance. If you can, try to get there as early as you can to secure a good spot and avoid long queues. Festivals often allow you to arrive the evening before the first day.

When directed to your camping spot, choose wisely where you set up (if you get a choice). Don’t go too close to the toilets, look out for uneven ground and don’t park too close to anyone else - you want to have enough space for the people in both vehicles to move around, and there may be a minimum distance stipulated.

During the festival

Enjoying the festival from your caravan comes with unique perks. You can use it as a base to recharge, store your belongings safely, and avoid the queues for the toilets. (And the long drops, for that matter. If you’ve been to Glastonbury before, you’ll know what they are!)

Potentially, you can save money and eat a little healthier by preparing your own meals. This can have an added benefit if you host breakfast gatherings or late-night snacks with friends. In fact, your caravan can become a hub for socialising when you need a change of scenery.

Safety and good etiquette

It might be quite a bit more secure than a tent, but you do still need to keep safety in mind, so always lock your caravan when you’re away from it, and keep valuables out of sight.

No doubt the festival will have its own rules, but do keep noise levels down at night, and respect any designated quiet hours. Also, much like wild camping, it’s important to leave no trace as much as possible when you leave.

Wrapping up

When the festival wraps up, there are a few final steps to think about. One top tip is to leave before the masses, which might mean an early start. There can be multiple queues and lengthy timings on leaving, and that’s just to get off site, let alone traverse the surrounding roads. Packing things up the night before can help, especially if it’s a hired caravan and you’re on a time limit for vacating it.

It might not be possible, but you may be able to empty waste tanks at designated areas before leaving (if they are provided).

When home, empty the fridge and tanks, give the whole caravan a good airing, and check it for any post-festival damage or needed repairs.

Phew! That’s quite a lot of info, but we hope you’ve found it helpful. Going to a festival in its own right is fantastic enough, but attending in your caravan takes it up a notch, for sure. With a bit of planning and the right prep in advance, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: the excitement of the festival and the comforts of home. 

Happy travels - let us know in the comments any other tips you might have, and the festivals you’ve been to this year in your caravan!