Woman who's been to Glastonbury four times unveils best hacks for festival season

Here's what you need to know before heading to Glastonbury Festival (stock image)

Thousands of fans will be descending upon Glastonbury today as the UK's biggest festival kicks off its five-day booze-up.

The music event, on Worthy Farm in Somerset, will run from Wednesday to Sunday. It boasts a star-studded line-up with Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Shania Twain among its headliners, while legends like Avril Lavigne and Camila Cabello are amidst the other 91 acts set to perform.

If it's your first time attending, you may have a lot of questions. From choosing a camping location, to avoiding the worst crowds - planning for all of it can seem quite daunting.

But fear not, 'Katie' an avid festival-goer who's been to Glastonbury four times, claims to have some game-changing advice you'll want to hear beforehand. Taking to TikTok, she said (@justkohntent): "If you're going to Glasto this year, have the best time.

"I've been four times and it is genuinely the best festival ever... Sharing is caring, so here are some top tips that I'd say to any new Glasto festival goer."

First up, Katie spoke about the camping situation. If you've got a ticket, you can pitch your tent anywhere within Glastonbury Festival's dedicated camping zones.

But it's important to be aware that different zones have different pros and cons. For instance, festival spokespeople claim that Pennard Hill Ground is a more popular lively spot with a 'culture of its own', while Limekilns has a much quieter reputation.

Researching these sites and establishing what type of experience you want is essential for making the most out of Glastonbury's five days. Katie also added: "Unless you are a DofE legend and you know exactly where you are camping, discuss with your mates beforehand as to where on the festival site you want to camp and pack light.

"The walk when you get into the festival to wherever your site is, is often quite long. And if you've got a cheeky heavy bag, it is going to drag you down and then you'll be really sweaty the second you get into the festival - which isn't really a vibe when the shower situation is maybe a little bit sour."

Speaking on showers, Katie also claimed that bringing a portable device is an absolute game-changer. Turns out, there are countless varieties of camping showers available on Amazon which include foldable buckets that are easy to carry.

She continued: "Last year, my mate Milly brought this portable shower that packs down and she was everyone's best friend. I even made a video about it... but yeah, try and get one of those if you can because [they're] a genuine life-saver and everyday you get to shower."

Finally, Katie issued a warning to anyone who hates big crowds. If you're keen to watch the big headliners but don't want to be cramped in between people, it may be worth keeping some distance.

She added: "Be aware that after the big-old performances on the big stage... there will be a dissention of human ants... like basically, the crowds will be really intense so, just be aware and plan to be part of an ant movement - especially when people want to start going out and partying."

Aside from these tips, two medical experts also recommend packing some high energy snacks and supplements to counteract the exhaustion you may feel from dancing around and guzzling alcohol. Dr Merrifield, a GP and medical director at Selph, explained: "Alcohol consumption hinders the absorption of vital nutrients in the small intestine, including glucose, amino acids, lipids, water, vitamins and minerals.

"Each morning, try to 'top up' your vitamin levels and stabilise blood sugars, by opting for high-protein foods and eating fruit.. These can also help settle a pounding head and unsettled stomach. Foods such as eggs and Greek yoghurt are high in protein and fruits including apples, oranges and berries are all packed with vitamins. A refreshing smoothie can be a good option."

Meanwhile, Alexa Mullane – a nutritional therapist at Wiley’s Finest – told The Mirror: "Alcohol consumption causes a cascade of inflammation which can affect many areas of the body including the liver, stomach, gut and brain. This inflammation can cause long-lasting damage to the body and neurodegeneration of the brain.

"One way to avoid next-day 'hangxiety' and protect long-term brain health is to take a high-quality fish oil supplement that is high in DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid)."

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