Can I take my campervan to a music festival?

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If you’re one of the thousands of people who attend music festivals every year, you’ll know just how exciting they can be. There are many different ways to ‘do’ a festival nowadays, from basic camping to pre-erected tents to full-on glamping, complete with hairdryers and hot showers! But if you want a traditional festival experience with a few mod cons thrown in, doing it in your own campervan is definitely the way to go.

By ditching your tent and taking your campervan to a music festival, you can have the best of both worlds. You’ll be near enough to experience all the action, but far enough away to get a good night’s sleep!

Of course, your campervan will act as your transport and your accommodation for the duration of the festival, so you’ll want to make sure it’s probably covered by campervan insurance in case anything goes wrong. Having a campervan with you makes the whole festival experience a lot more enjoyable.

Here, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular reasons for forgoing a tent in favour of a campervan this festival season.

A quick word about tickets

Campervan tickets for festivals are usually slightly different to normal tickets. They might be more expensive, or bought as an add-on on top of the standard entry price. Make sure you check out the official website for the festival you’re hoping to visit beforehand, so you can secure the right type of ticket for your trip.

Which festivals allow motorhomes?

Many of the great UK music festivals now allow campervans. The campervan fields are usually located slightly further away from the action than the tented camping areas. That means that you might have slightly further to walk on the way ‘home’ but it will also be quieter and you should be able to get a better night’s sleep.

Most of the big UK music festivals take place throughout the summer months of June, July and August, mainly to take advantage of the better weather, but as we know, that doesn’t always happen!

The top UK music festivals that allow campervans include:

Why should I take my campervan to a music festival?

The toilet situation

If you’ve ever experienced the long-drop loos at Glastonbury on a Sunday morning, you’ll know why having your own private toilet in your campervan is so essential. No queuing, no mess and no awkward sights, sounds or smells – perfect!

Sleeping

Okay, so sleeping might not be that high on your agenda when at a music festival – you may want to dance into the early hours or watch the sun come up – but when you do need to recharge your batteries, doing it in the comfort of your own campervan will be the perfect place. Situated away from the noisy public areas, this is the place to catch some shut-eye between sets without being disturbed or someone falling on your tent!

Showering

Everyone has seen pictures from a ‘wet’ Glastonbury, with people sliding in the mud and losing wellies left, right and centre. Just do a quick Google search for ‘Glastonbury Festival 2005’ to see what we mean. Having a campervan means you can escape the mud, for a while at least, and freshen up with clean, dry clothes before heading out again. Equally, if it’s particularly hot, like Glastonbury 2019, you’ll have somewhere to shelter from the heat.

Food

Today’s music festivals offer hundreds of different food options, from classic burgers and fish and chips to organic, vegan salads, curries and more. If you want to save money after splashing out on the entrance fee (Bestival, for example, is £285 including a basic campervan ticket), you can bring your own food to prepare in your camper. Storage is easy, you won’t have to carry it around with you all day, and you can treat yourself to bacon and eggs in the morning before a busy day listening to bands.

Security

Everyone knows that festivals aren’t the place to take any precious belongings – you might drop something in the mud, you might be a victim of pickpockets or your tent might get visited in the night while you’re out watching bands. But when you have a campervan, you have an extra level of security not afforded to those people in tents. You can lock up your camper and head out for the day knowing that your items are safe and sound. Of course, thefts can and do happen, and that’s why having campervan insurance is so important to protect devices like cameras, tablets and camping equipment that you’ll be bringing along for the journey.

More quick tips for campervans at festivals

Beat the queues

Queuing in or out of any music festival can take a long time, whether you’re in a car, campervan or on foot. As well as food and water, make sure you have enough fuel in your campervan for the journey into and out of the site. Having breakdown cover for your campervan could help if you run out of fuel or get a flat battery just as you’re about to set off on your journey home.

Stay off-site

If you want to explore the local area before or after the festival, it might pay to stay off-site. There are hundreds of campervan-friendly campsites around the UK. For instance, Old Oaks camp site, a member of the Camping and Caravanning Club, is a five-minute drive from the main gates at Glastonbury, while Pitchup lists several campsites that welcome campervans and motorhomes near the site where Latitude is held in Suffolk.

Protect your campervan with campervan insurance

Whichever festival you choose, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle and its contents are protected by campervan insurance. Here at Motorhome Protect, campervan cover can include a range of benefits such as:

365-day cover including foreign use
Up to £3,500 for camping personal effects
Cover for your camper while you’re converting it

Talk to the team today to find the right level of campervan insurance for you, so you can rock out at your next music festival knowing you’re covered!

Music festival mistakes to avoid with a motorhome

Taking your motorhome to live music and arts festivals can be a thrilling experience, an opportunity to enjoy your favourite tunes while living the fun, nomadic lifestyle. Avoiding these common music and arts festival mistakes with a motorhome can lead to an unforgettable trip full of great music and great memories.

Consider your vehicle size

Underestimating the size of your vehicle and the space it requires is a mistake you don't want to make. Many festivals have specific areas designated for motorhomes so ensure you're aware of these spaces and park accordingly.

Get your motorhome in order

Failing to check your motorhome's systems before setting off can lead to severe problems on the road or at the festival. Check everything from your engine to your plumbing system to avoid unpleasant surprises.

Weather conditions

Festivals can often occur in unpredictable weather, so make sure your motorhome is equipped for both the scorching sun and pouring rain.

Respect your neighbours

The close quarters of a motorhome festival mean that noise, mess, and behaviour are more noticeable than ever. Remember, everyone is there to have a good time just like you. Keep your music volume reasonable, clean up after yourself, and generally respect those around you for a harmonious festival experience.

Attending UK festivals with family motorhome

Attending a music and arts festival in a motorhome with your family can be an unforgettable experience. It's an adventure filled with rhythm, colour, and creativity, that offers the freedom for a family fun festival at your own pace. Packing up the motorhome and hitting the open road to a festival allows you to combine the excitement of live music and vibrant art with the comfort and convenience of having your own space.

Festival organisers offer dedicated camping areas specifically for motorhome festival goers. This means you can retreat to your own private haven whenever you want a break from the bustling festival atmosphere.

Enjoying a music and arts festival in a motorhome with your family can create lifelong memories. It's not just about the festival itself, but about the unique journey getting there and the shared family entertainment that bring you closer.