Forum menu
I am going to Download this year and I have never been to anything like it before. If you have any tips so I don’t look like a festival virgin that would be very much appreciated. I am travelling down by coach and camping.
Cheers.
Baby wipes and booze in plastic bottles. Condoms, money belt type thing.
Don't take anything you don't want to lose including tent, sleeping bag, camera, phone etc. Go fully feral.
If you suffer from Hayfever take lots of medication. It'as right in the middle of Hayfever season and ruined it for me when i went.
Infact if i ever went back i would actually wear a full face respirator, and claim it was some steam punk fashion thing.
Stout footwear that you can schlep about in for several days.
Earplugs if you plan on getting any sleep ever.
Keep money and valuables on you / stash them in the bottom of your sleeping bag at night.
Don't judge on appearances; the clientelle look terrifying but are mostly lovely.
Plan ahead, so you don't miss any must-sees.
Don't overlook the small stages. Some of my Donington highlights were sat chilling on the grass in the sun listening to a band I'd never heard of.
^^^^ top advice GO FERAL,have a at least 1 extra day off after to recover.IT WILL RAIN.
Bin bags to sit on.
Boots/wellies that you don't mind getting filthy with urine soaked mud
Waterproofs
Sunglasses, sun lotion.
Warm layer, woolly hat.
Some of this may be weather/conditions dependent. It can get pretty cold when the sun goes down.
EDIT - Listen to Cougar, most people there are really nice and the small stages have some great bands on.
Allow loads of time to get out- its notorious!
baby wipes, headtorch, take your own intoxicants- dont buy them there!
Oh yeah,
Take photo ID for your alcomohol wristband. I got caught out when challenged and I was in my late 30s. (Fortunately I managed to find someone with common sense, but the first staff member I spoke to said he'd been told to check everyone without exception; I might just've been unlucky and got a jobsworth though.)
Also, if you're stuck for cash, consider wombling. The beer cups have a deposit on them, collect a stack and trade for more beer.
Army surplus camo gear that won't matter if it gets covered in mud,etc. also get a big ripstop rain poncho, keep most of you dry in the wet, and you can use it as a groundsheetfor sitting on if it's damp or muddy.
Headtorch, pocket torch, small bumbag for phone, money, etc.
Ziploc bags for keeping small stuff dry.
Enjoy!
The people who look like they'll take your head off down the front will be the first to pick you up if you fall down. In my experience anyway.
I'm hopefully going too so "See you in the pit!"
eurgh...I think I must be getting old...all this sounds awful!
Can't you stay in a nice B&B and swan through the gates in the morning all refreshed and smelling of expensive toiletries?
I don't know as I'd want to go to Donington smelling like a tart's handbag. I don't think that's overly wise.
Yes, that's what I did last year. Hotel on Loughborough Uni campus. We got lucky with timings/routes and drove pretty much straight in and out each day. Helps if you're not that fussed about the headliners.
I don't know as I'd want to go to Donington smelling like a tart's handbag. I don't think that's overly wise.
At least you'll make friends!