READING Festival has announced an overhaul to its camping options ahead of this year’s event.
The annual event will introduce a range of new camping improvements, programming, experiences, and complimentary add-ons as part of a refreshed campsite layout when it returns in the summer.
The move represents a substantial investment by organisers which will see five new campsites and a more tailored experience for festival-goers.
Among the new additions to the event The Fields campsite, which open to anyone, for those looking for a ‘lively’ atmosphere.
Campers will be able to choose between staying closer to the arenas or quieter areas further away.
It will also hold daytime activities such as a football pitch, introduced for the first time this year, and pop-up performances.
No booking is required, with Weekend and Weekend + Early Entry Tickets automatically allowing access to The Fields.
Another of the new additions is the The Garden, which expands upon what was previously Quiet Camp.
Organisers say this is the place for those looking for a more relaxed camping experience with limited noise after 1am.
Daytime Activities at The Garden include yoga, meditation and a running club to kickstart the festival day.
Spots can be booked for free via Ticketmaster.
The Grove provides a space for festival-goers who want to camp with a supportive, like-minded community, focusing on inclusivity, respect, and creating a positive environment.
It is provided in partnership with Safer Spaces Now CIC and supported by gender-inclusive teams who are dedicated to creating a safer environment for all.
Daytime activities at The Grove include open mic sessions, film screenings, and karaoke.
Spots can be booked for free via Ticketmaster.
The Valley provides a dedicated campsite for those coming to the festival on their own or as a pair.
Organisers say it is suited for those looking for some ‘me time’ during the festival and provides chance to meet like-minded festival goers.
It will include ‘FYP (Find Your Pal)’, ‘Meet Me Here’ daily meetups, and a ‘Link Up Lounge’.
Spots can be booked for free via Ticketmaster.
Across the campsites, the festival is also bringing swathes of improvements, including new vacuum toilets to provide a more comfortable experience than the previous ‘long drops’.
These use one quarter of the water of a standard flushing toilets and lower the carbon footprint of the festival’s facilities by two thirds, due to their folding design making them easier to transport.
More showers will be introduced, as well as dedicated ‘Get Ready’ spaces featuring mirrors, dressing tables, seating, and places to use appliances such as hair driers and hair straighteners.
Campsites will also feature more decoration, tailored towards the aims of each of the distinct areas to make them more identifiable.
Refreshed and reinforced policies towards codes of conduct and security are also being put in place to help keep festival-goers safe.
Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic said: “It brings me great excitement and pride to unveil not just the biggest change in the Reading & Leeds festival sites since 1989 but the most comprehensive overhaul in the camping experience at a UK festival in festival history.
“That experience at Reading & Leeds is a formative part of the weekend and something that means a lot to not just festival-goers but us as organisers too.”
He explained: “With the support of some incredible partners, we’re transforming everything to high new standards not seen at a major UK festival before–with everything from the facilities to adding exciting new entertainment, all the while catering to a variety of preferences across five distinct camping spaces.
“This will fundamentally change what the Reading & Leeds weekend experience means to so many, and serves as a positive marker for what festivals can and should be offering in 2025 and beyond.”
This year’s event features performances from headliners Chappell Roan, Travis Scott, Bring Me The Horizon and Hozier.
They will be joined by AJ Tracey, Becky Hill, Sammy Viriji, Trippie Redd, Amyl and The Sniffers, Conan Gray, The Kooks, The Dare, Bloc Party, Enter Shikari, Wallows, Sea Girls, Mannequin Pussy, SOFT PLAY, Lambrini Girls, and DJ EZ.
Reading Festival takes place from Thursday–Sunday, August 21-24, at Richfield Avenue.
Full details and tickets are available via: readingandleedsfestival.com
