Glastonbury Festival 2004
- 25th to 27th June
- Gates open 10 am, Wednesday, 23rd June.
- Please don't come before then.
- The Festival is licensed until 5pm, Monday 28th June.
The Fine Guide
The 900-acre site is on the edge of Pilton village off the A361 between Shepton Mallet and Glastonbury.
This guide will help you make the most of the Festival experience - and avoid any potential pitfalls. And whether you're an old hand or a Festival virgin there's loads of useful stuff on the official website at www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk.
Thanks for buying your ticket, the money will help support some great causes. If you know anyone planning to come without a ticket, please tell them that it really isn't worth the hassle - they won't get in.
Don't forget the necessary ID to accompany your ticket purchase - you'll need to show it at the turnstile.
Getting Ready
Everyone's got their own idea of what to bring to Glastonbury but here are a few time-honoured tips.
- Only bring what you can afford to lose.
- Only bring what you can carry. You will have to lug all your stuff a very long way - twice - so travel light. Everything you need, except shelter, is on site.
- Bring warm & waterproof clothing, a pair of decent shoes, sun-cream, wet wipes and a torch to avoid those tricky guy-ropes.
- You can eat really well and cheaply on site, so if you want to travel light, ditch the food and cooking equipment.
- Only bring the credit cards you need and leave a note of the numbers at home to make cancellation easier if they get lost or stolen. Only carry a small amount of cash. There are cash machines on site - see 'Show Me The Money'.
- Only come with the keys that you are likely to be using, in case they get lost.
- Remember to bring your vital medications and keep them with you.
- Please don't bring your own sound system. Not surprisingly, the festival has music pretty well covered. Vehicles will be checked on the way in and the campsites patrolled for rogue stages and systems. Equipment found could be confiscated.
Getting there
- Travelling by public transport saves you money, reduces pollution and helps you to beat the queues. Seriously consider leaving your car at home. (see Travel section for options).
- Gates open at 10am Wednesday 23rd June. Please don't come before then. Early arrivals will be moved on by local police.
- You're more likely to save time by planning your journey than driving fast.
- The last part of the journey can be the longest - be ready for queues and bring plenty of water and go to the loo before you get close to the Festival.
- Come early to pick the best spots and get relaxed.
- Follow the directions of officials and avoid going through the village.
- Last minute booze-buying in Pilton isn't going to happen - the village shop won't sell alcohol and the pub will be closed.
- Please respect local residents' land and property don't trespass or maraud in the village.
Getting in
- Get friends' tickets to them before they leave for the Festival; it is utterly impossible to meet at the gates. If you have to meet up, do it at least 5 miles away from the Festival.
- Look after you ticket, they're like gold-dust. Last year there were thefts of tickets at motorway services some distance from the Festival.
- Be prepared to show your ticket for inspection at car park entrances or catching public transport or the shuttle bus.
- BUT do not give your ticket to anyone, even if they look like stewards, until you reach the turnstiles.
- The Passout System is tried and tested - please comply with it if you leave the site and plan to re-enter.
The souvenir programme is free with your ticket - pick it up when you enter, along with your handy Guardian Guide. You can buy extra programmes at Information Points
Children
- Children aged 12 and under have free entry if accompanied by an adult.
- Campsite Stewards will direct you to quieter or less dense places to camp. There is also a Family Camping Field.
Property Lock-ups
- If you're worried about something being stolen, don't leave it in your tent. Essential valuables can be left at the free 24-hour Property Lock-ups which are prominent around the site. They also sell cheap loo rolls and soap.
If you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of crime, report it to the Police HQ where you can get a crime record for insurance purposes. If you have information about a crime, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Light my fire
The end of the Festival is marked with burning of a wicker man in the Green fields. Ideally that should be the only thing that goes up in flames at the festival.
- Candles are dangerous and useless; use torches in and around tents.
- Only buy wax flares from authorised festival traders.
- Light fires considerately, away from tents. Only use the wood supplied - never from hedges and trees.
- Watch out for flying embers and sparks - they can start a fire even from distance.
- Don't burn plastic, please. Quite apart from anything else it stinks.
- NEVER use petrol or paraffin to start or revive a fire.
- If you cook, do it outside.
- Always change camping gas outside tents - even if it is raining.
- When changing gas cylinders, ensure gas tap is in the 'off' position, otherwise the gas will ignite when the cylinder is pierced and you could get badly burned.
- The wandering Campsite Wardens & security teams are looking out for dangerous fires, accidents and risky situations - please help them and use them.
Show me the money
- The NatWest Bank and NatWest Cash Machines are situated near the farmhouse. The Bank does not charge either for their cashier or cash machine services.
- The opening hours for the NatWest Cashier Service are: Thursday 10am - 5:30pm, Friday to Sunday 9am - 5:30pm, Monday 9am - 12 noon.
- One cheque a day can be cashed with a bank card up to the limit of the card. A whole cheque book (with just a few cheques inside for security reasons) is needed. Make sure the calender slip is in the back.
- Four NatWest Cash Machines are open 24 hours a day from Thursday 10am to Monday 12 noon, accepting all major debit and credit cards.
- 24-hour Link machines are situated near the Other Medical Centre. These make a small transaction charge, some of which goes to the Festival good causes.
- Get cash with a friend for company and security.
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