Leeds Festival Camping Tips
Which campsite is known for the all-night partying? Which is the best for getting some sleep? What items do you need to bring with you?
If you’re new to music festivals – or just new to the Leeds Festival – then you may be daunted by the prospect of joining 80,000 others campers in a field in Yorkshire.
Well don’t be. There are plenty of people here willing to offer you some advice.
As we collate our list of top camping tips for a full article next year, we’d like to hear from our site readers.
Q1: Which campsite is the best? (and why)
Q2: Which 3 items would you not live without at Leeds Festival?
Q3: What 3 camping tips would you offer a newbie to Leeds?
Please leave your answers in the comments. And leave your name. When we send out our camping guide we’ll acknowledge who gave us the best answers…
Which campsites do all the riots and tent fires happen on then?
we are going this year on the sunday dayticket..but would be alot easier for us getting there and getting home (live 25 miles away btw) if we camped overnight..although obviously dont have full w.e tickets..can you pay them for 1 night to camp ? if so we can get there early sun..try find a pitch etc if any space left lol and make a good day/night of it…
A1- blue camp is the best camp but I would recommend taking a trip to white for the toilets for some reason they’re always really clean..
A2- dry shampoo, baby wipes and loads of nibbley food.. Crisps ect
A3- if your a girl take leggings to wear they dry really quickly and you don’t get too warm in them plus you can buy them dirt cheap! And take loads of socks and take wellies!!!!
Hello!
I went last year and we camped in Brown, we didnt arrive till Friday lunch time so we didnt have much choice but tbh we were more than happy camping there and will again this year. Its near to the carpark but about 20 minutes walk to the arena.
I didnt see or hear of any trouble at all in Brown camp and not a single tent set on fire
If you want to be up all night and to camp on a hill (?) then go to Orange! It has fayre ground rides and goes on allnight! But if you fancy a bit of sleep and not getting robbed or your tent burning down then go with Green or Brown.
Things to bring: I went with 2 other girls last year and we took everything! we were very well prepared, the walk from the car however was extremley difficult but we literally laughed the whole way! essentials are baby wipes (lots of baby wipes, in most cases this is the closest thing to a shower!) We took a washing up bowl to fill with water to wash faces, hands, hair, feet!
Loo roll – again a few rolls should be ok
Bin liners – cut a hole out and use as toilet seat covers
every girl needs a mirror, dont forget it!
Couple of torches – wind up ones are good as they can never run out!
take a small bag that you can keep all your valubles in (phone, camera,car keys) keep it on you at all times. When sleeping put it in the bottom of your sleeping bag.
BBQ’s – Leeds fest dont allow little cooking stoves so BBQ’s are the next best things! we cooked bacon and sausage for breakfast and burgers for lunch!
Food wise we took crisps, biscuits, cereal bars, bacon, sausage, burgers, bread.
on the walk to the arena and inside you will find loads of different places to get food, with quite a big choice. Dominos, burgers, chinese, curry, giant yorkshire puddings.
pac-a-mac – keep it in your bag because you never know when it will rain!
Painkillers – obviously!
take plenty of layers for sleeping in. once it goes dark it gets really really cold!!
Hope this helps!!!
Bring on Leeds 2011
xxx
It’s my 1st year this year, i got told to camp on orange how do you find out witch camping part you are on?? what sort of shit should i bring?? how do you also keep your stuff safe in your tent and that??
Hi all, im new to all these music festivals and this will be my first one what is needed: like how much money all together? seen reports on tents being stolen whats best thing to do about this? what stuff to take? ect ect anything and everything to take or is needed will be a big help thanks everyone in advance
My 17 year old Daughter has just returned from her second Leeds Festival, she and her friends had a great time. Unfortunately this was over shadowed by the action of what can only be described as the dregs of society. As when she returned to her tent on Saturday night, she was shocked to find her tent and all her belongings had been stolen. A lesson in life learnt and she is home safe.
No words could sum up what I would like to see happened to the cowardly criminals who carried out this act
Hey, this may be a bit late but i am in need of some quick advice.
Me and my 22 other friends havent got early bird tickets, but we were hoping to get onto Blue (: we live in Nottingham so what time do you think we should leave to get a good pitch?
The journey is about 1hr30mins.
Thankyou very much! Its our first festival so we’re hoping it should be good, although im a bit nervous!
X
O & by the way…………….from my experience, wellies arnt’ that great in the quagmire it can become after a few heavy showers, I’ve seen many a person topple over after their wellies are literally pulled off by the mud, if you have a good sturdy pair of boots that grip your leg, these will be much better, mine have lasted 8 years now!
The campsites nearer the arena tend to get filthiest………….they always look covered in mud n’ pish by the saturday, greens ok if you want it slightly quieter, brown the quietist, but u can go to every disco/party on the way back to your campsite, sometimes never making it at all (usually distracted by anything bright/glittery/noisy, like the ‘house of terror’, where we spent a good hour trying to decide whether the bloke bein electrocuted was real or not and scaring some of the customers), booze wise, take as much as you can possibly carry, hang it off your ears if necessary, and a good tip for the arena is…………bags of wine tucked in ya duds, no-one’s gonna accuse u of bein fat n that, so do it! also, DO NOT miss the mud sledging on the sunday night, right next to the DJ just past the fair n that! ENJOY!
Hi, this 2010 Festival is my first, I am curious as to what drinks they sell is it just a bar? or do they sell crates if so how much?
And how many crates am i allowed to drive in?
Thanks
ORANGE!!! great fires, great atmosphere! haha. on the last our campsite set fire to and destroyed 3 of those wooden poles with the flags! the hole of the campsite banded together, it was hilarious(you can find the vid on youtube somewhere). and we were thoroughly pissed the entire time.
bring LOADS of alcohol! 4 crates of 24 fosters and a bottle of vodka was not enough for me last year. you WILL end up drinking it for breakfast lunch and dinner. better to be smashed going into the festival than get ripped off inside. (you may be able to sneak 2-3 cans in) the worst that happens is, if caught they are confiscated, (or they let you attempt to down as much as you can in 30 seconds). take loads of toilet roll… it is like gold! carriers bags are a must.
and remember kids.. dont be silly, wrap your willy.
i found taking 4 pairs of primark plimsoles was better than wellies, as you can just throw them away after every day. and you dont have to mosh around in great big wellies! (essentially £15 for 4) in the crowd, only your head and shoulders will get wet! so i just took shorts and some walking socks(for warmth) and then a pair of joggers to sleep in. good times!
What is the exact dates for leeds 2010 does anybody know?
Its my first time this year and I’m so exited! X
going to leeds first time this year!! so so excited.
what forms of id should people take?
and what are like the best tents to take (:
Is there a campsite for Vans? I’ts not a camper but a Transit with a proper awning that fits to the side. Will I be let in or not????
yellow, without a doubt
In regards to pop-up tents – I’ve had mine for 4 yrs and it’s still as good as new! It’s done 4 Leeds with me, and has been lent out for 2 Glasto, 3 Download and a sonisphere! most of my friends that come to Leeds have them as well, as they are more than good enough for what you need!
I do agree, practice taken it down before you get there, there is a knack to it!
Hi all went last year took way too much shit well not me personally but ppl I was with so was roped into carrying there shit had to make four trips all way to blue camp and back took bout 3 hours.. Took way too much food as he’ll ended up thrownin most of it away on the Sunday In a food fight.. Pop up tents are ok I suppose be careful with it mine was fucked by the sunday night. Also there a bitch to fold bk up mates left there’s so get a cheap 1 gt mine from sports direct £30.. With beer I took 2 crates of cider when warm it tasted shit my advice take more spirits wi did too went down a treat.. Hope this helps!! Blue camp all the way!!
Orange is by far the camp to party all night and get wasted.
Baby wipes, Wellies, Beer.
Brown is the best campsite far away but the safest
take more alchol , weed , food , socks , toilet roll took to much clothes not worth it food is so expensive take some with u nd just get off ur face !!!!
White camp all the way!! as Lois has said, really close to the stages so can just nip back to your tent to top up on a quick bevvy before the next band is on, right next to the Relentless tent as of 2009 which is bouncing till about 3am!
We slept right near the burger van which was great for greasy meal to sort the hangover out, close enough to the campsite supermarket, toilets just up the road. everything was spot on.
Nice and safe, as far as I know nobody had anything stolen and was no major fires on the last night but we just went and joined in blue camp’s party so we didnt set fire to our own tent!
This year was absolutely awesome, 2008 we camped in orange on the side of a hill near the fairground rides which was an absolute nightmare so getting into white was a huge positive! though it soon filled up on the early bird day, we set up tents for mates coming the day after otherwise they wouldn’t have been anywhere near us
We were lucky… we didnt have an early bird ticket but we set off at 12 in the morning got there for like half 1…hardly new que of traffic that our mates were moaning about who had early bird… we were going to orange and were parked so close it was unreal..what we did was left everyhting in the car and just got what we need.. a must is toilet roll even tho the toilets are disgusting… also chair as been stated cos ours kept getting pinched…just pinch sum1 elses .. ppl say you need money, i dont think this is the case as i surivied on £20 just bring shit loads of drink,crisps,and chocolate/protein bars like we did… Enjoy!
Keep your money with you, take weed, alcohol, toilet roll, little clothing, loads of socks, underwear, waterproof, WELLIES
I took way too much last year and getting it all to the camp site was hurrendous!
Try and get early bird, we didnt last year and trying to get all your shit through people walking in the opposite direction is hell.
Take a pop up tent when you get there you dont wanna be spending all day putting up a tent! All you wanna do is be drunk with everyone else. Also learn how to put it down and back in the bag, its easy after a few tries but murder to do with a hangover!
Dry shampoo! it will be ur best friend and anti-bactiria
Don’t bring to many clothes u wont change that much i brought way to mucj last year and dont bring to much food either it all goes to waist and bring alcohol it runs out always lol!
Blue! i had an awsome time in blue last year, it’s near everything but far enough for u 2 just be with ur mates and have an awsome time
!…
I’ve never used a pop up tent but 2 of my mates use them and they are fine, though i would say to practice taking them down before hand because on the monday watching them try and fold them away with the mother of all hangovers is bloody funny.
I forgot to add a couple of things to my other comment, i take a roll of duck tape, its water proof and strong and can be used to fix fly sheets, broken poles etc and the strongest sun cream this is the last place you want sun stroke.
Yeah, from my experience of them (never used myself, but have plenty of friends who have) they’re fine. Go for it!
It will be our first time at Leeds fest this year, just be my boyfriend and I. Just wondering if any of you experienced festival goers can tell us if those festival (pop-up) tents are any good?
Thanks Dan! And thanks to everyone else that has provided their advice and feedback.
Been going to leeds since 99 (both sites), orange is the camp you need to be in for the all night all weekend feel, its got everything in there for all virgins, if like me time is starting to catch up then i would say green thats where we’ve been now since 06, chilled out and relaxed but a fair distance to the stages.
I take very few cloths,1 kag in a bag, 2 hoodies, 1 pair of long shorts with zip up pockets,1 pair of army style trousers with lots of zip up pockets, 3 old shirts or t shirts. Don’t take denim its heavy hot and when it gets wet it will never dry out.
I know alot of people have said to take wellies but i really wouldn’t when it does rain the place turns into a bog, which people in wellies then get stuck in, i only take my 14 holes Dm’s ( which havent let me down in 8 years).
Take 2/3 empty 2 litre plastic pop bottles to fill with water when your there( this is free every camp has a fresh water station).
The rest is upto you, only trust your friends, use your head, only take what you can afford to lose and look after you wrist band mine came off one year in the mosh pit and it was a right pain in the arse to get another one.
Above all have a laugh it might be your first, second or your eleventh!!! but you’ll remember each one.
Orange or Red is deffffoos the best (Orange best for newbieesss)
Take some of that hand gel to clean your hands it always comes in handy, and wellies are a must! and always carry your money on you otherwise it will get pinched! and lots of bags of wine will keep you going all weeked
Leeds Festival is amazingg…Have funnnnnnnnnnnn
i’m going to leeds fest next year for the first time with all my girl mates and we can’t wait, were going down early bird because we want a good space, but could you please tell me which campsite would be the best for partying all night? all weekend? i know all the stuff i need to take a shizzz but we really want the best campsite, please could you tell us? thanks.
yeh cheers Davelms. I’ll probably try and get alittle bit in..hopefully be able 2 get some off some people or something once we’re there
The best thing to do is bring as little as possible
I went to leeds this year, and my bag was horrific, it works out a lot more expensive, but you actually can buy everything there, and it’s horrible walking up that massive hill to orange with 2 crates in your bag and loads of other shit that they happen to sell there. Also, they sell 2 chairs for a tenner there, well they did when i went. And if you and your mates all chip in for a gazeebo, it’s well good to have one at your little camp site. Also, bring loads of crisps and pot noodles, try and get a gas cooker in if you can, you’re not allowed them but they come in handy so much, we managed to get one in last year and it helped so much, you can cook anything on them. You will need alot more money than you think, honestly, i’m thinking of bringing like over £200 spends, you just buy so much pointless shit there it’s hilarious
Hi Geoff.
Alcohol is allowed in the campsite but you cannot officially take alcohol into the Arena.
Bags are usually checked at the Arena gates.
At any of the bars, standard licensing laws apply and bar staff will ask for a proof of age for anyone that appears to be under 18.
Does this answer your question?
hi, going to leeds fest next year 4 my first time. Just wondering if you’re allowed drink and whether under 18s get searched at all?
A1
Orange is great for newpeople its near the entrance great for partying close to plenty of food vans and a great generall atmosphere
A2: Which 3 items would you not live without at Leeds Festival?
Toilet roll, Suncream (no matter how much it rains you will need it atleast oneday), a plastic cup!
A3: What 3 camping tips would you offer a newbie to Leeds?
Dont take anything too expensive, lots of socks, and more than 1 type or footware, also carry money on you!
Thanks for all that…I’m a festival vigin. Leeds 2010 will be my forst one.SO EXCITED!!
1. I camped in blue valley twice now, great atmosphere but its always loud and there is a mint all day breakfast truck at the bottom of the hill! People partying all the time and doing stupid stuff… like we did!
2. Blow up couch, a gazeebo, shit loads of cider
3. Remember where your tent is, keep your money with you at all times, and chill the fuck out and don’t freak out when something goes wrong…it’ll be ok
my tips are dont trust anyone including security have seen them sneaking round some festival goers tents on a night working out which were empty and next morning surprise surprise they had been robbed of all possesions only left with clothes they were stood up in.
ensure you dont fall asleep with tent doors open as is inviting someone to rob you once again talking from personal experience.
Q1: Depending on what you want! If sleep is required, try green, all out partying = blue!
DON’T camp behind the fun fair, or on a slope!
Q2: Baby wipes!! An absolute must! When the weather’s bad it’s a lot easier than tryin to get in the showers
A torch!! Saves tripping over ropes, plus you can see all the stuff in your tent
Plenty of clothes! you never know what the weather will do, so having clean dry clothes is a god-send
Q3: Pace yourself! Don’t drink all your booze or spend all your money on the first night! Look around the different food vans to see where to get the best deal! Find something distinguishable near your tent (like a flag) so you can find it again!
Finally, DON’T argue with the security at the entrance to the Arena, as ‘ve seen people thrown out for that!
1) orange was sik when i stayed in it this year, bit of a trek to get to the stages though.
2) ermmm 3 things u cant live without…. a bed, drugs and a chair.
3) dont leave stuff lying around that u need, take your money everywer with you and bring toilet paper for when u need a shit.
Been in Orange and Green. Orange is great fun, green was smooth. Your choice.
WIPES!!!!!!!! Lilo for sleeping on and a decent chair to snorrrrrrrrrr in
Don’t leave your wellies out on show over night; realy goes for anything….
Not everyone can get an early bird ticket so work out with your mates to share taking gear. The early birds take the tents to put up, the rest take the food and drink.
Don’t just take wellies, it just might be dry so take some different footwear as your feet are gonna pong and hurt like you know what
.
Campsite:
Blue definitely – close to everything you’re going to need, the supermarket, toilets, the arena, the stalls and always pretty hectic and fun.
Items:
You’re going to regret not taking a torch after tripping of a guy rope for the 50th time at night.
Chewee bars are hella tasty, cheap and make a great breakfast, lunch and dinner.
More money than you think, Leeds makes me want to buy a lot of shit that I don’t use again. Also, the food in the arena is piping hot and tasty so well appreciated when the headliners finish, it’s nice to be able to buy some (I’m looking at you curry, rice and naan for a fiver),
Tips:
Early bird ticket will ensure a good spot on a good campsite and mean that you actually have more than a square foot of space to pitch your tent.
Don’t leave anything in your tent that you want to see again.
There are some portaloos in the arena that actually flush. Search them out. Use them. Don’t leave it too late, they’re a bit of a treck.
Perhaps I under-estimated the usefulness of a good old camping chair. Thanks for the feedback Claire and ‘ LolsAlot’. Anyone else got any good tips?
Q1: Which campsite is the best? (and why)
Ive only been to Leeds once but when I went we stayed in White. Perfect distances from the toilets (which where about 200m away from us, perfect distance to the arena as you could get from our tent to the NME tent in about 20 minutes and white is right in the middle of the camp.
Surprisingly when we went white was pretty calm on sunday night compared to how blue and red where. Which TBH is was actually quite a relief as I was in no state to keep myself out of various fires at that stage.
Q2: Which 3 items would you not live without at Leeds Festival?
GOOD Camping chair – We took 6 chairs with us and by saturday 5 of them had broken. Don’t go all out and spend alot but given the choice spend the extra fiver on a better quality chair as somewhere comfy to rest yourself after the bands is a life saver.
Alot more money than you think you’ll need – Its easy to spend lots of leeds esspecially if your not cooking while you are there. I cooked most of my meals last time with snacks in between but this year im just going to be taking money instead as its alot easier.
Spirits FTW – Taking a plastic bottle of vodka is a much better way to get pissed quicker than the shitty tuborg than they had there. Take a bottle of fruit cordial aswell and your all set!.
WELLIES – I know this is my fourth one but honestly get some wellies. Doesnt matter if they are really cheap ones. Anything which keeps the mud out is a plus.
Q3: What 3 camping tips would you offer a newbie to Leeds?
Meth Spirits NOT Hexi Burner – Me and a few mates took solid fuel hexi burners with us to cook with last year but if you are considering cooking get your hands on a trangia stove and some Meth Spirits. So much better than the fiddly cubes of firelighters and will light in the rain. Lasts probably 3 times as long and gets much hotter.
Get there early – Getting an early bird ticket is a definite plus. Means you can get a good spec and an extra day at the festival. Winner!
Double or triple layer socks – May sound a bit gross but if your in mosh pits all day you feet are going to get pummeled. Helps to counter act the painfulness which are wellies also.
Ah yes, you’re right, I always take a small bottle of sun tan lotion too – an appropriate counter balance to my mac
Best campsite: RED, iv only been to leeds the once so may not be “experienced” enough to make the right judgement but from what I know red campsite was amazing, quite close but not very, great views as its on a hill, right next to the bonfire area, and the last night madness did reach us but stil felt safe, plus last years red dj’s was fucking brilliant, I was camped quite close to the dj but stil far enough away so I could get some sleep if I wanted…
Items: I totally agree that toilet roll is a must but I didnt take any and bought a roll there for like 50p meaning that when everyone else’s was squashed/wet/muddy mine was still fresh
Sun tan lotion, last year it was hot enough for me to burn
And a bum bag, I slept in mine to keep my stuff safe
Tips: don’t leave drink in the porch of your tent, be prepared to pay quite a bit for wood if your wanting a fire, get the too close/too far from the toilets balance right, take camping chairs if you can (they become like god sends), remember to empty drink into plastic bottles, have an amazing time = D
And it’s -5 points to anyone that says to remember to bring a tent … although you can have +100 for recommending toilet roll, the absolute must-have for any festival goer.
Items. My list is based on the fact that I tend to always travel very lightly to festivals: I always ensure I have a torch, a few packs of tissues and a mac-in-a-bag if I think it’s going to rain. Throw in very few spare clothes and a toothbrush and we’re done.
Tips. Don’t bring anything you can’t afford to lose. Carry most of your money on you at all times, and even go to sleep with it. Finally, enjoy yourself!