As festival season draws even closer this year, many people will be heading down to the infamous Glastonbury Festival over this week.
The UK has become famous across the world for its festival atmosphere, as Scotland bid farewell to T In The Park in 2016 in what was arguably the most popular camping weekender.
Brits also have the likes of Latitude Festival, Wireless, TRNSMT, Reading and Leeds, Boardmasters and of course, Glastonbury. But to travel to the majority of these from Scotland - aside from TRNSMT - it will take hours of public transport or taking your own car to the location.
With the beloved tradition of celebrating music artists across the country comes the inevitable task of loading our cars with an assortment of essentials: bags, tents – and of course friends.
So, how do you fit everything in? Thankfully, motoring experts at Vanarama have shared essential advice on making the most of your car at a festival.
Read on below to find out more.
Pillowcases have more than one use
Maximise space and comfort during your long car journey by creating a makeshift pillow stuffed with coats, blankets and other soft, bulky items.
Not only can you enjoy the journey without taking up valuable boot space with a suitcase, you can continue to use it throughout the festival.
Much better than using massive shopping bags or a hard-shell suitcase that takes up way too much room in many cars.
Utilise hidden car space
There are plenty of nooks and crannies in motors that can be used as space to store things.
Make the most of some overlooked spaces, like side pockets of doors, under-the-seats and hidden boot space to store things like bulky boots, wellies, or clothes.
Consider the car space in terms of passengers
Consider how much luggage each passenger will bring in the car and how comfortable you and your passengers will be.
If heading to a festival in a five-seater, have a maximum of four people in the car, and likewise for a four-seater, stick to a maximum of three people.
The extra space ensures you aren’t overpacking the boot, so you won't be blocking the view of your rear view mirror - plus, passengers will be more comfortable.
Pack the car in an even manner
When packing your car heavily, one thing to be aware of is the balance of your packing. Distribute your heavy gear across the car evenly if you can.
An uneven distribution of weight can affect a vehicle’s stability and make handling unpredictable. Also, heavier loads reduce fuel efficiency, so try to avoid packing unnecessary weight.
Bring snacks for the inevitable traffic and queuing
Festival car parking queues can be lengthy, often stretching up to two or three hours.
Considering the possibility of hot summer weather, pack a supply of water and food to ensure you’re maintaining your energy in order to make the most of the festival from the moment you arrive.
Remember where your car is
When you park your car, capture images of your surroundings on your phone like a unique tree or distinctive flag.
After several days of festivities and a large number of cars departing the festival at the same time, locating your car again might become challenging.
By documenting notable features around your parking spot, you’ll have visual cues to assist you in finding your vehicle.
Avoid mass traffic by enjoying the festival for longer
Headline events at festivals usually wrap up by midnight and this can cause a flurry of cars leaving the car park at this time.
However, by embracing the late night events that go into the early morning after the headline acts finish - if you can manage to stay awake - you not only get to enjoy the festival for longer but you could also evade heavy queues.
Bring a change of clothes and shoes to travel back in
Taking a fresh pair of socks, shoes and clothes for the return leg is the easiest way to make your journey home that little more luxurious after a few days camping.
Additionally, when driving back, remember to take regular breaks and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. You may not feel fully rejuvenated by the time you’re home, but it’ll help.
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