With Glastonbury kicking off the series of summer-long music festivals this week, Style Birmingham offer a survivors guide to first-timers on how to get the most out of a music marathons.

Whether it’s your debut in the dirt or you are mastering the mosh pit, summer music festivals  can be daunting for first-timers. But there is more to festival etiquette than securing front row at Blur. Here’s out guide to getting through a festival in one piece.

1: Plan how you will be getting to you chosen festival well in advance. If you are going by train or coach, then book your ticket a couple of weeks ahead. For drivers, look at a car share with mates and make sure you know where you are heading and what parking arrangements are on site. Most importantly, don’t forget where you park. 

2: Next up, think about your sleeping arrangements. The vast majority of the audience opt for a couple of nights under canvas, but you could also go for a local B&B (just make sure, again, that you book well in advance). If you are camping, check the site’s arrangements. Most of them won’t allow you to pitch and park your car right next door, so don’t take too much camping gear that needs to be lugged through muddy field after muddy field.

3: Due to the laid-back nature of a festival, it is easy to forget security. Just remember all the important things like not leaving valuables on show in your car and don’t take your most expensive belongings with you.

4: Check the website of your festival to check banned or restricted items. These are likely to include recording equipment, candles and flares, as well as all the usual bits and bobs. Some sites may not allow you to take your own food and drink.

5: As most festivals are in the heart of the countryside, respect your surroundings, animals and neighbours that live there all year round.