Top 10 Tips for Enjoying Festivals on Wheels

Because access shouldn’t be the headliner of your weekend…

Festivals are one of life’s chaotic little joys — a heady mix of music, mud, overpriced chips, and magic. But if you’re rocking up on wheels, there’s a bit more to think about than just which band is playing the main stage. After a few epic wins (and equally epic fails), here are my top ten tips for making the most of your festival experience — wheelchair edition.

1. Get Your Access Passes Sorted ASAP

Access at festivals is a whole logistical beast. It’s not sexy, but getting your tickets and access applications in early is an absolute game changer. These processes can be frustratingly bureaucratic, but once you’ve sorted your paperwork, you can breathe easy and just look forward to the music, rather than arguing with someone about whether a camping field is technically accessible.

2. Sort Your Transport — And I Mean Sort It

Last year I forgot to book the ferry to Isle of Wight Festival. Picture me towing all my camping gear on the foot ferry. It was an adventure, but also a stressful one that left me limited in what I could bring. Book your travel early, and make sure you’ve got the space (and energy) for everything you need to live your best accessible camping life.

Poor Agnes loaded up like the ultimate packhorse last year. She did an amazing job but it did make the trek a little more challenging!

3. Use the Festival App — It’s Not Just for Teenagers

Almost every festival now has an app. It’s not just handy — it’s essential. You can check set times, stage locations, and plan your route like a tactical ninja. Pro tip: factor in the reality of crowd movement. It’s not just distance, it’s density. At Isle of Wight, rows of camping chairs behind the main stage turned into an obstacle course. Apps help, but so does a solid Plan B.

4. Do Your Musical Homework (But Be Spontaneous Too)

I love using Spotify to dip into the festival line-up ahead of time. You might find a new favourite — or at least know which sets to skip in favour of a food truck detour. That said, some of the best moments come from wandering past a stage, hearing something unexpectedly brilliant, and just going with it.

5. Check Your Chair Before You Go

Learn from my mistake. 24 hours into Isle of Wight, I realised Basil (my off-road chair) had a wheel wobble — as in, half the bolts had made a run for it. A shoutout to the lovely site team who helped us fix it with borrowed tools. Moral of the story? Check your wheels before you roll into a weekend in the wild.

The moment Basil’s bolts went walkabout!

6. Make Friends with the Volunteers (Especially the Loo Crew)

Toilet talk might not be glamorous, but trust me, the folks manning the accessible loos and Mobiloos are your unsung heroes. They’re legends. Get to know them. Thank them. They keep the wheels of dignity turning when the portaloos are threatening to ruin lives.

The Mobiloo in all its pristine air conditioned glory!

7. Say “Yes” to Something New

Festivals are for throwing caution to the wind — try a weird new food, dance to a genre you’ve never heard of, or chat to someone in sequins and a unicorn onesie. Step outside your comfort zone. (Just maybe don’t accept everything offered to you by a guy with a glowstick and suspiciously dilated pupils.)

8. Enjoy the Quiet Bits

Sometimes the best parts aren’t the main stage headliners, but the peaceful pauses in between. Chilling outside your tent, wrapped in a blanket, no schedule, no pressure, just vibes. Those moments matter just as much — let yourself enjoy them.

9. Comfort Is Key — Take What You Need

Don’t pack light, pack smart. That gadget or creature comfort that makes your day easier? Bring it. For me, it’s an electric blanket (yes, really), a proper duvet, and a mattress with an actual sheet. Sleeping bags are not my friend. Prioritise good sleep — your body will thank you when the headline act hits.

Custom and cozy, my tent interior complete with carpet, raised beds and table. I also use a large power bank so that I can run my heated blanket overnight.

10. Be Present. This Is the Good Stuff.

Music is magic — an escape, a collective joy, a chance to let go. The buzz of the crowd, the bass in your bones, the lyrics you forgot you knew. Soak it in. These are the stories you’ll tell. The snapshots you’ll replay. The reminders that fun and freedom aren’t luxuries — they’re your right.

Just two people in a crowd, living their best lives.

Whether you’re a festival newbie or a seasoned field-dweller, I hope these tips help you experience the joy and chaos with confidence. Roll safe, dance hard (or bop gently if that’s more your speed), and remember — the music is just the beginning.