To think we CAN actually do Glastonbury?

[hmmisthatright]

Glastonbury tickets on sale soon

I'm a single mum to 2 dc, one is autistic, one neurotypical, 8 and 9

I assumed it was something for the future, but actually, the tickets are £400 each for the weekend, i might be able to go as autistic dc's carer, costing me £800. And I can pay £100 as a deposit

I can stay at a hotel with dc and then drive us all in. I would meet friends who have kids.

Is the drive in difficult, does anyone know? I would rent a traveloge or similar 20 miles away.

Can we do this?

Just to add: it is the most over stimulated experience I've ever done. Totally overwhelming. Mostly in a good way. I'm neuro typical.
But there were points I had to find a quiet spot. And there's not many of those. I take a week off after just to come down.
It's like being in a whole other world for 5 days. An assault on all the senses.
Oh and the phone signal is pretty pants. Didn't even know there was WiFi? But I really wouldn't rely on that.
I do love it though 🫠

Thank you for being kind and for your advice - I am taking it on board, I promise @Forton26

This! It's absolutely overwhelming at times. Especially when you're desperate for a wee and surrounded by what feels like a million people.

Don't want to pile on the negativity - and Glastonbury be truly amazing in parts - but don't underestimate how muddy it will get it if the weather is bad. Maybe look up pictures if you haven't seen. I've been four times and three were rainy and it was extreme - the way the festival basically sits in a bowl and the amount of people churning up the ground, you are literally trudging it almost up to your knees sometimes. No possibility of sitting down on the ground and everyone rushing for the little available seating. And it is at its worst down in the flat section where the main stage etc (and it sounds like the disabled camping) is, although I would imagine/hope they try to do something about the mud there.

I love festivals, I've been to loads, and i've had some brilliant moments at Glastonbury but I wouldn't go again even without children, it's just so incredibly gruelling when it's like that.

Fair play to anyone who enjoys this but you couldn’t pay me enough….

Look, do what you want, but speaking as someone who has to endure Glastonbury as a local the less traffic movement the better. It's absolute hell for those of us living around the area who needs to get on with normal life and having people commute in every day isn't going to help.

Honestly the event is way, way to big for the area now. We know it isn't going to get moved but whereas it was once an event for us locals (believe it or not) looking at the prices you really have to wonder who on earth it is for. No one who I know around here, that's for sure.

The responses have put me off Glastonbury!

I did Rewind this year - it was fab, well organised, silent disco, fun fair etc. Its not a large site either.

I'd camp next time tbh. I'd take proper folding beds so everyone is comfy. Loos were great, showerblocks for campers looked good and no big car queues going in or out.

Well organised and great fun.

OP I think you need to go camping for 1 night with your kids to a normal campsite first. Then a small festival. And then review. Glastonbury is the size of a city. It’s hard to explain if you haven’t been but you’re vastly underestimating what it’s like. And no I didn’t see many people in wheelchairs and most small kids were pulled in trolley things and it looked bloody hard work. they don’t have normal pathways etc - it’s a field: muddy farm.

it's in term time isn't it? will school be okay with it?

Thank you everyone

Will try for the tickets and then go from there - i probably won't even get one so this will have been moot anyway

Appreciate the advice and will take it on board especially re autistic dc

Not even if you paid me !

The challenge is actually getting tickets

It was so muddy one memorable year I was there, people were able to use a canoe down the bit where Joe Bananas used to be. (Who knows why they had a canoe at Glasto in the first place!)

Op - when a PP described it as like the Somme she wasn’t exaggerating. When it rains it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen.

It was a brilliant festival, I haven’t been for a good few years now, so can’t comment on what it’s like now. But the endurance test descriptions were also spot on.

I think it would be bloody hard work even on a weekend with the best weather as it will be overwhelming for the children,. You will need eyes in the back of your head. Queuing for food, loos etc with them will be stressful. They are likely to be exhausted long before the headline band comes on. And then the drive. Is there anyone your kids could stay with so you can go alone or with friends?

Dc has an all terrain buggy - surely there are people in wheelchairs and parents there?

Its been a couple of years since I went, but no, I really can't recall seeing a push chair or a wheelchair? 🤔

IF the weather is fine and dry, the ground might be firm enough in areas to use a push chair, but if there is a drop of rain, it quickly turns to mud. I'm also unsure what rides you think there are there? I also don't recall ever seeing any.

The roads around site will be super busy anytime before, during and after the festival. They are single lane country roads with local and festival traffic. Though know people do travel in and out for the day during the festival. My parents did it, it's just slow. I've worked the festival for 15 years or so years and taken my 9 year old autstic child for every year it's been on since she was born. We are on site for a month or so working. It can be really full on, my daughter is used to it as she has gone since she was a baby. Though she has struggled with the crowds more as she has got older. But the kids fields are fun, there are three kids areas now so lots for them to do. Definitely take some kind of bike trailer buggy as the site is huge and they will likely need help walking and having their own space to chill. I think it's a great experience of kids, though it is tiring it's also fun

As a PP suggested, take them to Camp Bestival instead - it's aimed at families and is much calmer and smaller than Glasto, but still has good music acts for the parents to enjoy.

So hard to get tickets. I'd much more recommend going to a smaller festival to be honest. I love Glastonbury but I also hate it. I go because we work there and we have a strong community we are involved in there. I don't think I would go as a punter, we have a lot of infrastructure where we work so it helps a lot but it's still so hard. Not trying to put you off just being honest. Not sure how many festivals you've done with them before but tis definitely going straight to the hardcore option. You'd be better off going to a smaller family friendly festival like shambala.

Bear in mind that it is noisy 24/7. I work there on one of the campsites on the opposite side to the notorious South East corner and there is music pumping all night. The idea about Bath and West campsite could work but it’s a long walk from the pyramid stage to the gate (about 40 min?)

I think you're getting ahead of yourself assuming you will get tickets. My entire family and several friends try for tickets every year on mutiple devices - none of us have ever been successful.

If you think you can manage it then do it. Only you know what’s viable for your family

There’s no guarantee that Green Day will even play. Rumours are it’s Harry Styles, Billie Eilish and Sam Fender headlining.

My DD7 (NT) was not a fan when she came in on the Sunday last year. LOTS of walking, wasn’t interested in the kids field (which was a shame as I wanted to hear Michael Rosen read who was there at the time!). The crowds overwhelmed her but fortunately I had access to crew toilets (no queues and clean) and the bars to get away from the chaos. She still went home early.

Thought you all got given tickets as locals. Obviously I was wrong

Forget the hotel idea. It won't be fun. You'll likely be parked in the furthest away row of the furthest away field of one of the several carparks. Seriously, its likely to be a good 40-60 minutes walk from the pyramid field to your car. Every day. Twice.
Can you afford a pre-erected tent on site? Would be the most convenient option, but pricey.