Everything You Need to Know About Attending a UK Festival by Car

A day out at a festival can be a life-affirming, soul-elevating use of your time. But getting the most from a festival means getting there in the first place – and, preferably, in such a way that you aren't worried about how you'll get home.

For most, this means getting a car that's in good working order, and fit for a long trip. Let's take a look at how you might go about getting the vehicle ready.

Prepping Your Car for the Trip

You can treat a festival trip in much the same way that you would any other trip. You'll need to make sure that your tyres are adequately inflated, for one thing. For another, you'll need all of your fluid levels to be optimal. Pay special attention to your oil levels.

It's worth packing a few essentials for the trip. These might include emergency supplies, like first-aid kits – as well as supplies for the camping itself, which we'll come back to in a moment.

Temporary Insurance for Festival Trips

Of course, one particularly important investment is your car insurance, without which you won't be legally entitled to drive on public roads. In this case, perhaps the best form of insurance is temporary car insurance, since it will allow you to easily share driving duties with your fellow passengers. If you're borrowing or renting a car for the sake of the trip, then this form of insurance is especially attractive.

Navigating Festival Parking

The earlier you arrive at a festival car park, the easier you'll find it to get a good space. Leave it to the last minute, and you could be faced with a lengthy walk, with all of your gear in tow.

It's generally a good idea to check the price of your parking, and, if possible, reserve a spot. Do this well in advance to avoid surprises after you turn up.

Packing the Essentials for Festival Camping

So, what items should every festivalgoer take with them? A few stand out as truly essential. If you're camping, then you'll need a tent. You're also going to need clothes, whether you're camping or not. Pick clothing that will deal with sweat, and that can be layered when the weather takes a turn for the worse. A pair of Wellington boots should be considered essential, where rain is predicted.

It's a good idea to roll everything up and pack each item into a clear sandwich bag. That way, you can keep everything reasonably clean, and still see where everything is.