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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Lydia Bacon

Everything you need to know about Glastonbury 2023: best campsites, attractions and stages

The time is nearly here - Glastonbury will be opening its gates to ticket holders at 8am tomorrow morning.

The major acts will be taking to the stage between Friday and Sunday, with Guns N' Roses and Elton John headlining the Pyramid Stage this year. Around 200,000 music fans are expected to attend, with Scousers Jamie Webster and Stone also set to perform.

The new Glastonbury map, which was published via the Festival’s official website, features a number of changes and adjustments across the Worthy Farm site – most of which have been expected by those who have been following the latest Glasto news.

READ MORE: Scouser who was in 'dark place' now helping others at Glastonbury

The map gives first-timers a chance to familiarise themselves with the 'festival city' and allows returning ticket holders the opportunity to check out some of the changes. This year's map indicates the site is going through some changes, including one area being completely removed altogether. We've put together a list of some of the key points to consider if you're heading to Worthy Farm tomorrow.

Glastonbury 2023 map (Glastonbury)

With over 100 stages to choose from there is enough variety to please every single type of music fan.

Stages

Arcadia has been made bigger

Arcadia, the arena with the huge fire-spitting spider, has been made bigger this year. This area comes alive at night and hosts some of the best DJ sets across the weekend, previously playing host to Four Tet, The Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim.

The expansion comes after reports of overcrowding at last year's festival - with one festival goer detailing their experience of being in a 30-minute standstill at the junction between The Park and Arcadia.

John Peel stage renamed

There has been a lot of pressure on organisers in recent years to rename the John Peel stage, traditionally the home to up-and-coming music acts. After 19 years, the stage - which is beneath a pink and blue big top tent - has been renamed Woodsies. Emily Eavis, co-organiser of the annual event, said: “We’ve had 20 years of John Peel and it’s been an honour to use his name.”

Changes to Silver Hayes

In Silver Hayes, the Sonic Stage - the area's unofficial main stage - has been replaced by The Levels - a new open-air nightclub "inspired by the crossover of architecture, lighting and experimental musical art-forms".

New area name by BBC Music Introducing

The new map shows the area by the BBC Music Introducing stage is now called 'The Reach' next to Silver Hayes. BBC Music Introducing supports the most exciting unsigned, emerging and under-the-radar music across the UK.

Attractions

Attend the opening ceremony

Head to The Healing Fields at 4pm on the opening day to attend the opening ceremony. It is believed this is where the spirit of the original Glastonbury festival still burns.

Watch the fireworks

On the opening night of the festival, there is a huge firework display. A lot of people watch them from The Stone Circle and above The Park area. The organisers say the best place to see the fireworks is at the heart of the festival like The Other Stage.

Try to find the Underground Piano Bar

Every year, the Underground Piano Bar moves places, making it very hard to actually find it. It is said to be festival co-founder, Michael Eavis’, favourite part of Glastonbury.

Go down The Rabbit Hole

Glastonbury is not short of secret places. The Rabbit Hole is another one. It is not as hidden as The Underground Piano Bar but you will need your wits about you to get in. Plus the answer to a riddle.

Chill out in the woods

The Woods is an area just behind The Woodsies Stage. It is a great place to chill or cool down if it gets too hot. There is a campfire, bar and walkway, the area is nice and peaceful.

Go to the ‘best gay bar in Britain’

Head to the NYC Downlow in Block 9 to enter the ‘best gay bar in Britain’. The fact that it is in a field on a farm in Somerset shouldn’t surprise you.

Try as many food stalls as possible

The food at Glastonbury Festival is fantastic. So make sure you try a variety of dishes. Many outlets have the Food For A Fiver scheme so look out for the signs on their menus.

Camping

Each camping field has a different atmosphere and vibe – while some would prefer to have a quiet night’s sleep, others prefer being close to their favourite stage or a specific area.

North campsites

Lower Mead is a great option if you like to discover new up-and-coming bands and party till the early hours of the morning.

Wicket Ground provides camping for families with children and is also the only public campsite which has a patrolled and guarded security fence all around it and stewards at the entrance.

The Lime Kiln Ground is great if you prefer the occasional quiet pause from the festive fun and it is also good if you’re planning on arriving late at the Festival, as it doesn’t fill up as quickly as the other fields.

Both Michael’s Mead and Hawkwell are situated on the hill directly below Worthy Farm, which means they feature scenic views of the site but can also be a bit steep to camp on, so if it rains you’re in a bit of a mess.

Spring Ground is reserved for people with permanent disabilities and their carers.

Northeast campsites

If your line-up schedule revolves heavily around the Pyramid Stage, Row Mead is one of the best options to go for but it does fill up extremely fast.

Cockmill Meadow is the second camping field reserved especially for families and is located right by the Kidzfield area.

Kidney Mead is positioned well and is known to have some of the busiest toilets on the site meaning it can get noisy and smelly.

The Big Ground is perfect if you plan on spending time at the Pyramid stage and want to be close to the action for the majority of your time at Glastonbury.

South campsites

Pennard Hill Ground is known for its energy and masses of party people. It is also just a stone’s throw away from The Park, Arcadia, Sacred Space, Healing Field and Green Feature.

Southwest campsites

Park Home Ground is a good alternative to Pennard Hill Ground.

If you’re planning on spending a lot of time at The Park area by day or Arcadia by night, Paines Ground is the place for you – but it will be loud until at least 3am.

Rig’s Field, Bailey’s and Back House are all smaller campsites and are perfect if you’re coming on the Thursday (or later) or arriving by car to the Orange Public Car Park.

West campsites

Oxlyers is a focal point for most of the main entertainment areas, you may be able to catch the Other Stage acts right from the comfort of your tent.

Dairy Ground is an excellent option if you’re driving in via the Western Car Parks. It’s also a wise choice for those wanting a slightly more chilled festival experience when returning to camp at night.

Bushy Ground is a good option for late arrivals and for those who want a quieter camping field while not minding a bit of a walk to the busier areas.

Northwest campsites

Rivermead is a great alternative to Oxlyers if you want to be close to Silver Hayes and if it’s full when you arrive.

Darble is a solid campsite which caters fantastically for late arrivals arriving by coach.

It is believed the Pylon Ground is entirely staff camping for 2023.

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