Festival Camping Made Simple

Due to our busy work schedule, which involved shooting films, hosting a new National Geographic documentary series, and pursuing adventure projects, my wife Bex and I couldn’t attend as many events as we normally would have. Fortunately, one event stood out as a firm favourite: Torchlight Festival.

Torchlight, organized by The Camping and Caravanning Club in Nottinghamshire, attracted over 5,000 motorhomes, caravans, campervans, trailer tents, and more. As expected, the main stage featured headline acts, including my wife Bex, who is also a Bailey Ambassador and occasional blog contributor. Although my Elvis Medley didn’t earn me a singing invitation, I had the pleasure of giving daily talks and Q&A sessions on a wide range of adventure and camping topics. These topics spanned from extreme locations like snow holes and porta-ledges on high cliffs to underwater caves and more civilized experiences, such as my Bailey Adamo. I shared tales from my expeditions and filming projects, but I also addressed questions about adventures for beginners, families, and individuals with limited mobility. Adventure and camping are lifestyles that welcome everyone, and Bailey played a significant role by sponsoring and supporting the Family area, offering activities for kids—a growing trend as more families seek to enjoy the festival experience.

The second event, The Great Holiday Home Show in Harrogate, leaned more toward outdoor activities. Once again, Bailey had a presence, showcasing their motorhomes and caravans. The event also featured lodges commonly found at some campsites (formerly known as static caravans, though the lexicon has evolved). As luxurious as these “static” lodges were, they didn’t align with my preferences. My work life is unpredictable, and I crave different adventures, new experiences, and diverse environments, which demand mobility.

Both events took place at locations with established campsites, ensuring easy access to essentials like water, waste disposal, and power. Over the years, I’ve gathered a few top tips:

• Location: Carefully consider where you want to pitch your camp. Do you need quick access to your motorhome? Do you want to hear the main stage from your bed? Do you seek relative peace in the evenings? It’s a balancing act, but I prefer a slightly longer walk from the main event centre to avoid late-night noise, ensuring a good night’s sleep when I have to work early the next morning.

• Water: Refilling your water supply can be challenging at makeshift sites. We carry large water bottles throughout the day and refill them at designated stations around the festival. We also utilize the on-site shower facilities to conserve onboard water for essential needs and minimize the need to replenish the tank frequently.

• Power: While the events mentioned earlier were accommodating to motorhomes and caravans, some festivals offer no electrical hookups. In such cases, consider your solar panel’s capabilities, if fitted to your vehicle. Many can only charge via USB sockets, making them suitable for charging phones, small action cameras, and similar devices. However, larger electronics like laptops or cameras may require alternative power sources.

• Food: Festival food and drinks can be expensive. Having a spacious fridge and kitchen in your motorhome allows you to stock up on supplies beforehand and prepare your meals, saving both money and time.

Above all, the key is to enjoy yourself. I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing festivals in your motorhome or caravan. You can soak up the atmosphere, revel in the music, and bask in the good vibes—all without the discomfort of being cold, damp, muddy, sleep-deprived, or hungry. It’s like bringing the festival experience right to your home on wheels.