For many of us, summer means one thing: festival season. Nothing beats walking onto fields with thousands of other music lovers, excited to see your favourite acts perform live and to dance until your feet ache. There’s such joy and freedom to festivals, and with a motorhome, you can enjoy it all even more.
Visit a festival in a campervan to end your long days (and nights) of merriment in a comfortable bed. Enjoy a cold fridge, your own toilet, and many of the other perks of bringing a motorhome to a festival.
But before we arrange your motorhome hire for a festival, we’ve got to consider where you’ll take your home on wheels. Let’s check out the best campervan festivals in 2024.
1. Glastonbury
26th-30th June 2024
Okay, let’s get the elephant in the room out of the way. We couldn’t discuss the best musical festivals in the UK without talking about the biggest and most popular one there is: Glastonbury.
First held in 1970, Glastonbury has grown into the largest performing arts festival in the world. It attracts celebrities from across the globe, and performing there has become a rite of passage for artists. It draws over 200,000 visitors annually, and is still held where it started, on Michael Eavis’ farm in Pilton, Somerset.
Aside from drawing some of the biggest names in music, with headliners like Billie Eilish, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Arctic Monkeys, Coldplay and Kendrick Lamar, it also features the best in comedy, theatre, dance, and so much more. It’s a creative hub, filled with great food and drinks, and there is always something to do.
Having so much available at your fingertips and being surrounded by 200,000 people can make it a rather exhausting experience. That’s why you’ll be relieved to return to your motorhome at night to catch some z’s and find some peace and quiet. There are four different types of campervan tickets for Glastonbury, based on vehicle size and whether you’d like a more peaceful campground. You can learn more in our ultimate guide to bringing a campervan to Glastonbury.
2. BoomTown Festival
7th-11th August 2024
This is one of the most unique and creative options on our list of the best campervan festivals in 2024. BoomTown Festival is an independent 4-day festival that takes place on the Matterley Estate near Winchester. Since starting in 2009, each festival has brought something new and different, in the form of chapters.
In 2018, Chapter 10: The Machine Cannot be Stopped, transformed the festival village into a huge city with all the distractions of the digital world. This festival goes the extra mile, with hundreds of actors playing various characters to bring this world to life.
You’ll find every genre of music here, including ska, folk and pirate. Aside from live music, there are also theatre performances, art displays, and forest parties.
There are four campervan and motorhome fields available, known as East, South, Family and The Meadow. Each offers 8 x 5-metre pitches.
Hire a campervan for BoomTown Festival.
3. Green Man
15th-18th August 2024
Looking to visit a festival in a campervan in Wales? Green Man takes place in the stunning Brecon Beacons, and somehow, this incredible location isn’t the most special thing about it. Each edition of this festival brings something new and inspiring. Green Man features music, art, literature, film, poetry, theatre and science. For music, you’ll find countless stages offering different genres, including up-and-coming talent and DJ sets. It provides fun for the whole family, including many interactive workshops. One of the best aspects of this festival is the community feeling to it.
Camping at Green Man comes with its own perks, as this provides you with a ‘Settler’s Pass,’ allowing you to arrive two days earlier to explore the festival and local attractions. There’s even a special pub quiz for early guests, BBQs with meat from local butchers, and much more.
There are two types of campervan and motorhome passes for this festival: one for vehicles under 6 metres in length, and one for vehicles between 6 and 9 metres. If there is space alongside your vehicle, you can set up a tent or awning, but this must be within your pitch size.
Hire a campervan for Green Man Festival.
4. Big Feastival
23rd-25th August 2024
Let’s take a moment to look at the best music festivals in the UK for food lovers… well, we’ve found the best, and it’s Big Feastival! This family festival prides itself on offering something for all ages to enjoy. It began as a collaboration between former Blur member Alex James and the renowned TV chef Jamie Oliver, and is held at James’ farm in the Cotswolds — making it the perfect weekend break from London!
It attracts musical prowess, including Paloma Faith, Clean Bandit and Professor Green, as well as Michelin star chefs to provide demonstrations, including Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc and Pierre Koffmann. It goes without saying that we can all enjoy good music better with a full stomach, and that won’t be an issue at Big Feastival. You’ll also find excellent street food stalls, and entertainment for the little ones, including funfairs and workshops.
After a full day of eating, dancing, and general merriment, you can walk back to your motorhome for an excellent night’s sleep. Pitches are 8 x 6 metres, and there are toilet and shower facilities on-site.
Hire a campervan for Big Feastival.
5. Download Festival
14th-16th June 2024
If you’re a fan of rock music and looking to visit a festival in a campervan, look no further than Download Festival. UK’s premier rock festival is held at Donington Park, Leicestershire, also known as the ‘home of rock’. It’s five days of excellent rock music, and past acts have included Metallica, Def Leppard, and Iron Maiden. But there’s more to Download Festival than the music, as it also features fun activities that change yearly.
In 2018, the UK Air Guitar Championships took place here, as well as lightning performances from the Lord of Lightning and one of the world’s best Walls of Death. This was also the year that Download Festival won the award for ‘Best Major Festival’ for the quality of visitor experience, so that speaks for itself!
After a day of rocking out to your heart’s content, you can return to your cosy home on wheels to sleep on a proper mattress. Pitches for campervans and motorhomes are 9 x 7 metres with portable toilets, showers, fresh water and waste disposal points provided.
Hire a campervan for Download Festival.
6. Latitude Festival
25th-28th July 2024
Voted the Best Family Festival in 2018, Latitude Festival is not to be missed. It takes place around mid-July at Henham Park in Suffolk, making it easy to reach from both the north and south of England. This festival hosts a variety of acts with the biggest names in music, comedy and theatre. Previous acts at Latitude Festival include the 1975, Will Young, Katherine Jenkins and Dara O’Brien.
This festival prides itself on its flexibility, and they offer accompanied teenager tickets and child weekend tickets, to ensure no one has to miss out on the fun.
Campervan tickets can be purchased with a standard or a family admission ticket. There are different tickets for motorhomes and campervans, as well as based on the length of the vehicle, so be sure to check this beforehand.
Hire a campervan for Latitude Festival.
7. Isle of Wight Festival
20th-23rd June 2024
As if you needed another reason to visit the gorgeous Isle of Wight! The Isle of Wight Festival is one of the biggest summer festivals in the UK, opening festival season. It prides itself on being a festival for real music lovers, attracting acts such as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, the Foo Fighters, Kasabian, and Amy Winehouse over the years. It’s known to be one of the best organised and maintained music festivals in the UK, prided for its cleanliness and maintained facilities. It also aims to promote up-and-coming acts as well as beloved artists, to give new talent a chance to shine.
Campervan pitches are 7 x 7 metres, and awnings or tents are permitted if they fit within this given space. You’ll need a ferry to get your van over, or you can hire a motorhome there.
Hire a campervan for Isle of Wight Festival.
While you’re here, why not embark on an Isle of Wight road trip to explore this gorgeous island?
8. Boardmasters
7th-11th August 2024
Held annually on the second weekend of August for about five days, Boardmasters is known to combine live music with surfing and skateboarding competitions. It’s located near the Cornish town of Newquay, so ideally combined with a longer trip down the coast.
Aside from music acts like George Ezra and Rag’N’Bone Man, there is also a well-being side to the festival, with yoga lessons and hot tubs. You can walk onto the beach if you’d like a break from the crowds, although we doubt you’ll want to miss a second of things.
Boardmasters has a strong sustainability ethos and helps protect the local environment. Visitors also love that it’s easy to combine with exploring nearby Newquay, unlike other festivals where you’re situated far from cities or other sights.
The festival offers 8 x 5-metre pitches for motorhomes and campervans that sleep up to four people. You can purchase more than one pitch if needed, or pitch a tent or awning alongside it.
Hire a campervan for Boardmasters Festival.
9. Bestival
25th-28th July 2024
Not enough people are talking about Bestival, so we’re glad we can help shed some light on what is truly one of the best music festivals in the UK. There are two festivals to consider here:
Bestival is a 4-day boutique music festival that began in 2004 on the Isle of Wight and has now become a hugely successful festival based at the beautiful Lulworth Estate on the Dorset coast. So don’t confuse it with the Isle of Wight Festival, which is still held on the lovely little island.
It’s an experience like no other music festival in the UK. There tends to be a fancy dress day, various activities supporting social and environmental charities, an actual ship (the HMS Bestival) and much, much more. One year, there was even an inflatable church offering weddings.
You can bring a campervan or motorhome, and pitches are 9 x 6 metres, so make sure to check the size of the vehicle you want to take!
Now, onto its sister festival, Camp Bestival. This is one of the best family festivals in the UK. Alongside big acts like Ed Sheeran, Florence & the Machine and Ellie Goulding, it also features award-winning live theatre, dance, discussion, street food, and a huge Kids’ Garden filled with soft play areas, go-karts and glitter.
There is literally something for everyone. It is also held on the Lulworth Estate and is open to campervans and motorhomes. As with Bestival, pitches are 9 x 6 metres. There is Field A, which is on sale first, and then Field B, which is 30 30-minute walk from the site, opens once Field A is full.
Hire a campervan for Bestival and Camp Bestival.
10. Reading Festival
21st-25th August 2024
Looking to visit a festival in a campervan right before summer ends? Then Reading Festival is right up your alley. Held every year over the August Bank Holiday, this is one of the biggest music festivals in the UK.
Reading Festival first began as the National Jazz Festival, back in the 1960s, and has since grown into a large and varied music festival. It continues to attract some of the world’s biggest artists.
At this 3-day music festival, you’ll find more than just good tunes, as it also features comedy acts, theatre performances and incredible after-parties.
There are designated fields for campervans and motorhomes, but these tend to sell out very quickly! So be sure to get yours as soon as possible. There are no electrical hook-ups available, and tents cannot be parked alongside your vehicle.
Hire a campervan for Reading Festival.
11. Leeds Festival
21st-25th August 2024
Another festival held over the annual August bank holiday, Leeds Festival also has a lot to offer music lovers. It’s linked to Reading Festival, so it will often feature the same acts, who alternate between the two festivals. You’ll find every genre of music at the festival, including rock, alternative, punk, indie, and metal.
This festival is slightly smaller than Reading, so it can be quite competitive to get tickets. But it’s definitely one of the best campervan-friendly festivals of 2024, so worth the effort!
Leeds Festival is located outside of the city itself, which can make it easier for those arriving by motorhome, while Reading Festival is right in the middle of the action. You’ll also appreciate having all of your supplies in your van, as you won’t find any shops or pubs within distance.
There are no water or electrical hookups available, but at Leeds Festival, you’re permitted one tent or awning beside your van, as long as it fits within your pitch.
Hire a campervan for Leeds Festival.
We’ve given you eleven of the best music festivals in the UK, so now it’s up to you to pick your favourite! Festivals are an experience like no other, a chance to escape everyday life and immerse yourself in music, food, art and people. There is something beautiful about all being gathered together for this shared purpose, and we can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself.
If you’re looking to travel further than the UK, check out the best music festivals in Europe.
Hire a festival-friendly motorhome to get all of the perks of a festival, without any of the negatives. You’ll quickly realise that it’s the best way to enjoy your favourite festivals, and never want to return to a tent.
