Glastonbury Festival

[Bongoloid]

Dear Bongo fellows

I have been reading this forum for a long time now and it has been such a valuable source of information and we finally purchased a MPV Bongo this year. One of my intentions was to take it to Glastonbury and camp in comfort , I managed to get tickets and tomorrow the campervan tickets go on sale .. so far so good . Then I read this on the official Glastonbury site :-

What counts as ‘suitable fitted facilities’ in a camper/caravan?
Your campervan/caravan MUST have purpose-built fitted sleeping facilities and either fitted cooking or washing facilities. Any converted vehicles must clearly be live-in vehicles. This does not mean simply a van with a piece of foam cut to size for a bed, and a bucket for washing!

A team of campsite staff and security staff will check that campervans and caravans coming into these fields have bona fide living accommodation. No other vehicles will be let onto these fields under any circumstances – not even late replacement vehicles in the case of a breakdown – sorry.

Now as my beloved Bongo is a unconverted 8 seater with a pop roof (which I would class as the purpose built sleeping facilities) will I get away with it ? has anybody taken their Bongo previously that can help with this or any advise around it ?
I imagine it is a deterrent so people don't just throw an old mattress into a back of a work van and call it a camper but its still a worry

[Scratch]

I haven't been to Glastonbury so can't comment on their rules regarding campervans apart from suggesting they appear draconian in the extreme. I go to four other festivals during the year and have never had a problem with my unconverted tin top. What I have noticed is that campervan tickets sell out very quickly (normally before any other tickets) and each year the campervan areas are increased in size to try to accommodate the increased demand. This has obviously meant that festival organisers have tried to reduce the number of vehicles that are obviously not motorhomes or campervans and stopped people just camping there with ordinary MPVs with a mattress in the back.

[Ian]

You can probably count the pop-top as sleeping quarters, but to pass an inspection you will need cooking facilities that are securely bolted to the floor. You can buy these readily enough on eBay and elsewhere for about £300 and upwards. You will need to remove the rear seats (if you have a bench) or the passenger side flip up seat if you have that particular version. These kitchen units are easy to bolt in and remove.

[Bob]

There's been some very good DIY kitchens on here, might be worth a search.

A big plus is the Bongo, particularly the AFTs, look like a camper so may be subjected to less 'Enthusiastic' checks than an old Gas Board van. Don't take chances, though.

And welcome aboard.

[Gasy]

No problem with a bongo at glastonbury
I've been every years for the last 25 years
Do have a caravan behind me bongo tho
But deffo no problem
It is in writing somewhere that bongos will be allowed in
I've had a mate go in just a bongo no conversion
There's loads there each year

Deffo you will get the bongo in

Have you been before it is a astonishing what they get into a valley
Really is a eye opening place
You must go and see Arcadia. One night ( YouTube ARCADIA at glasto )
Raving me t*ts off with thousands of volts of electricity arcing above me head and fire explosions taller than a 3 storey house
2 blokes in chain mail suits ( arcamedies suits ) arc electricity between them selves it's like watching a starwars laser battle
I've been to loads of festivals, raves, gigs , biker meets/bashes
Nothing compares to Glasto
I take me 12&9 year old kids they been every year since they were born ( 7 months old up wards )

But I've decided NOT to go this year
It's changed so much health and safety and glampingy have made it into a village fate

Any questions just ask

[Bongoloid]

Thanks everyone I will attempt to get a ticket tomorrow and ponder on what to do over the next 6 months, it is frustrating as I'm happy with it as it is as I have my awning and outdoor camping gear / fridge etc..

Gasy the first time I went was 1997 (so will be 20 year anniversary) and the last time I went was 2000 so its been a while ... in fact I don't think I even had a mobile phone in those days. Do you go in the East or West field ?

[Gasy]

East / blue is bigger camper van field
Be prepared for walking in and out a lot up death hill

[Bongoloid]

Walking is not a problem and I am going for the festival atmosphere so will go for East I think. There will be people I know tenting so will probably have to find them everyday anyway but least I will have my escape if it gets too much

[Gasy]

Yes I go for 6 days and you need abit of luxury to sit down in
West field is only 2 fields and you have your own gate
It is closer to most of the camping fields tho
How many tents are your mates taking
Our mates camp next to our campers in the camper van fields (more secure for there beer and valuables )
You are allowed 1 tent with your camper ( some years we have had more tents than caravans tho, used to be 30+ of us go )

[Bongoloid]

Just an update if anyone is interested but I emailed Glastonbury and they emailed confirming I will be fine in the unconverted Bongo .. however I will be taking a copy of the email with me

[Bob]

Result.

[Gasy]

Remeber no glass on site
Coffe jars , wine glasses, as well as beer bottles
Hide your bread knife , sharp veg knife , machette , axe etc
I had to wait ages one year to get me machette back
Have a good one

[Bongolia]

Remeber no glass on site
Coffe jars , wine glasses, as well as beer bottles
Hide your bread knife , sharp veg knife , machette , axe etc
I had to wait ages one year to get me machette back
Have a good one

Machette! Where do you wild camp?

[Gasy]

Wisbech

[Bongoloid]

Gasy do they actually search the bongo?