Some useful tips on dealing with crowds at Glastonbury 2022

6th June 2022

With over 200,000 people at Glastonbury Festival, the fields here can feel busy at times. As this could be the biggest crowd you’ve been in since 2019, it’s important to take it slow. Below are some useful tips on dealing with busy crowds and ways to help you enjoy your time at the Festival.

Know your limits! You don’t need to throw yourself into the middle of the biggest stage audience to have a good time. There are plenty of fields and stages – and so many things going on – so take your time and find your comfort zone. Spend a bit of time on the edge of a crowd to work out the vibe before you join in.

Take it slow. Sometimes our crowds take a while to move – particularly in popular areas, for special guests and around stages after big performances. Take it steady, move slowly, be patient, don’t push. Listen for announcements from stages and security staff.

Take your time. Consider waiting a few minutes to leave after a big performance, especially if you don’t like being in a crowd. Spend 15 minutes soaking up the atmosphere before rushing off to the next thing – there’ll always be something to see.

For a quick exit, leave out of the side. If you’re at a stage and you find yourself wanting to get out, stay calm. Don’t try and go towards the back, instead head to the sides – you’ll find that you are out of the crowd much more quickly. If you feel squeezed in a crowd, turning sideways to the direction of pressure could help you feel more comfortable.

Look out for each other. If you’re in a crowd, keep an eye on your neighbour. If someone next to you falls over or looks like they’re not enjoying themselves, please be an epic human and help them out.

Keep yourself fuelled-up. Make sure you eat plenty and drink water before spending hours on your feet at a barrier. Stay hydrated and fill up your bottle at one of the many water points and taps on site – don’t risk fainting in the middle of the crowd.

Arrange a meeting point. Text messages sometimes take a while to arrive and you may get split up from your party. Agree on a place to meet up on the edge of an arena so you can find each other if you get separated.

Help our stewards. If areas of the site get busy, we may need to temporarily restrict access. Please listen out for directions from stewards and keep an eye on the LED signs across-site which will tell you whether spaces are closed; and help us out by not adding to the crowds in these locations. Please remember that our stewards and security are there to help and support you.

Take in the atmosphere. The Festival site is vast; don’t just run from stage to stage to try and fit in everything. Make time to stumble upon the unexpected. After all that’s where the true Glastonbury memories are made.

Here are a few places to beat the crowds and enjoy a quieter Festival experience:

The Wood. On the north side of the Festival, above the Pyramid Stage towards John Peel. The Wood is a tranquil, nature-rich sanctuary to bask in tree-dappled sunlight.

Above The Park. For ample personal space and a cracking view of the Festival beneath, sit yourself by the colourful Glastonbury sign high up the hill on the southernmost tip of the Festival site.

Strummerville. High on the hill, beyond the Tipi Field you’ll find the inviting camp fire of Strummerville. Park yourself on a cosy sofa and make some new friends.

Cineramageddon. Catch a film at this wonderfully warped drive-in, or just stroll around the fabulously upcycled vintage cars.

The Green Fields. Once the main stages kick in, these fields offer a quieter, market-like experience, where noise is low-level and people traffic is less congested.

The South East Corner. At night, this pocket of the Festival is a vibrant writhing throng, but during daylight hours, the south east corner of the site – comprising of Block9, Unfairground, The Common and Shangri-La – is gloriously crowd-free. Take your time wandering around these impressive builds and fully soaking-in their inspired creativity.

If things do all get a bit much, Worthy Welfare, at the top of Big Ground, and Green Welfare in the Green Fields, are both open throughout the Festival and will be on hand to assist those in need of support.

For those with autism or our neurodivergent Festival-goers, there is a new Sensory Calm Space (open Wednesday 4pm – 10pm, and Thursday to Sunday 10am – 10pm) in the Kings Market, located between the Left Field Tent and West Holts Stage. The tent is aimed at providing a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone – with adjustable lighting, textures and sounds and other sensory calming aids – to assist those with clinical requirements.