Festival camping 101: Expert shares their Festival survival tips

With searches for ‘festivals 2024’ increasing by 2,450% many will be preparing to see some of the biggest headliners around the world at festivals such as Boomtown and Tomorrowland.

And whilst there may be a buzz in the air for the summer nights and jam-packed days, often, festival goers forget about how their sleep schedule may be affected. With this in mind, Mattress Online has compiled their top tricks and insight to get you through several nights of events without the feeling of regret the next day.

The experts at Mattress Online commented: “Sleep preparation begins before you stumble into the sack, and given you won’t be thinking about winding down for bed while you’re at the event, it can be handy to sort anything you might need beforehand to make drifting off that little bit easier and give yourself peace of mind during the days events.”

With estimates of 250,000 tents left yearly at music festivals across the UK, it is important for new campers to be physically prepared for the long nights and daily excitement.

Five tips to prepare for an eventful nights sleep:

  1. Prepare personal items

Before heading out for the day’s event, prepare any essential items you may need when you come back to your home for the night. Things such as makeup remover, skincare items, and a mirror are key to ensure your skin stays glowing across the festival period. 

Remember to also make sure your sleepwear is ready, your makeshift bed is built for maximum comfort and consider taking a magnesium supplement to help drift off.

1. Toiletries to keep fresh

One problem festival goers often come across is the lack of toiletries provided, and with the high number of people attending festivals, it is likely that the porta-loos will run out of toilet roll pretty quickly so ensuring you have extra is key to avoid the early wake up call for first dibs on the new toiletries provided each morning.

It is also important to be sure to pack some easy to use hygiene items such as deodorant, wipes and dry shampoo to keep yourself feeling fresh before settling down for the night in the event that no showers are available. Going to bed feeling clean can increase the likelihood of a deeper sleep whilst cutting down time spent getting ready the next morning.

2. Hydration is key

As expected, festivals will be filled with a variety of drink options from stills to spirits and beers but with a boozy weekend comes the dreaded hangover. To avoid a pounding head, taking electrolytes when the day begins as well as at the end of the night will help revitalise and rehydrate you, as well as give you a more comfortable night’s sleep.

3.Picking your pitch

Your environment will play a massive role in your sleep quality at a festival. To  enjoy a good night’s rest, be strategic about where to pitch your tent. Opt for flat, dry ground that’s situated far enough from the hustle and bustle but near enough to any essential amenities like toilets.

However, sleeping on the ground is not only uncomfortable but provides little support to your back and neck so invest in an air mattress, comfy sleeping bag and blankets for insulation to experience a prime festival sleeping experience. If it is expected to be a warm weekend, try and look for a shady spot to help keep your tent cool and promote better sleep.

4. Morning Organisation

Having a stacked itinerary can prompt anxiety at night if you have had a late evening, take some time during the day to prepare your outfits and next day items ready to ease anxiety and save rushing around in the morning searching your tent. This will also give you time to catch some extra sleep before heading out for another music-filled day.

Avoid spending too much money by also taking snacks, have these pre-prepared for the day ahead to prioritise your diet and fuel your body with balanced, high-protein, non-perishable food items that you can eat on the go, and give you a more consistent, deeper sleep, so you can recover for the next day.

Photos by:

Maxime Bhe

Danny Howe

Aditya Chinchure

Joey Thompson

Anthony Delanoix

Hunter Newton

Fancy a hike ? Sales in Adidas Terrell Trainers soar

The team at JACAMO have witnessed an impressive 317% increase in Google searches for Adidas Terrex trainers. It appears that many people across the UK are gearing up to enjoy the beautiful summer weather, finally,  with a hike or a walking trail.

The Adidas Terrex line is renowned for its exceptional performance and style, making it the perfect choice for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re planning a challenging hike or a leisurely stroll, these trainers offer the comfort and durability needed to make the most of your outdoor adventures. This surge in interest highlights a growing trend: people are eager to treat themselves to high-quality gear that enhances their outdoor experiences.
These are our favourite Adidas walking boots from the Terrex collection:
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And for those who prefer a walking trainer to a walking boot, Terrex have some great options – these khaki terrex trainers are a team favourite:
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Best Cities in the UK for Relaxing Walks

Although it may not have the lofty peaks of the Alps or the epic thousands-of-mile treks of the United States, the UK is – in its own humble way – a truly world-class destination for walking and now’s best the time to set out on a relaxing walk across the scenic trails dotting the UK.

But which city has the most relaxing walks? A study conducted by Injury Claims, which analysed over 200,000 reviews of popular parks across 74 major UK Cities and towns, ranked cities on the percentage of Tripadvisor reviews which mentioned words associated with relaxation.

Tripadvisor reviews were scanned for words such as ‘relaxing’, ‘calm’, ‘peaceful’, and ‘tranquil’.

Of Britain’s most popular cities, Hereford is the number one city in the UK for relaxing walks, with a total of 28.88% index score.

The Weir Garden is the most popular park in the city. It’s a garden that sits on the banks of the River Wye, and it boasts a unique combination of features, such as well-manicured lawns, wooded areas, and a garden surrounded by a wall. Based on the reviews on TripAdvisor, visitors can take peaceful strolls alongside the riverbank and bask in the tranquil atmosphere.

Ranking second in the study, Bristol achieved an overall index score of 23.72%. Visitors who have explored the city’s parks often describe it as ‘peaceful’, which is the most commonly used term in their reviews. It boasts green spaces, woodlands, and gardens, creating a peaceful atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.

Lincoln takes the third spot on the list, scoring 21.97%. One of the main parks in Lincoln is Hartsholme Park, which provides a serene retreat within the city, with picturesque lakes, wooded areas, and trails.

TripAdvisor reviews highlight the relaxing atmosphere and tranquillity of Hartsholme Park, making it a peaceful destination for locals and tourists seeking relaxation through outdoor activities.

With Emberton Country Park standing out as the city’s most peaceful destination, Milton Keynes ranks fourth with an 18.63% index score. In this park, visitors can find Emberton Lake, which offers outdoor opportunities such as fishing, boating, or simply enjoying the peaceful waterside scenery.

Renowned university city, Oxford ranks fifth with a 17.47% index score. One of the most popular yet relaxing parks in the city is Christ Church Meadow. It offers stunning views of the historic Christ Church College, adding to the park’s charm and beauty.

Gloucester takes the sixth spot with a 15.73% index score. In Gloucester, you can enjoy peaceful walks in its parks and green areas. One standout spot is Robinswood Hill Country Park, where you can enjoy beautiful city and countryside views. With its vast fields and quiet paths, it’s no surprise that people feel calm and relaxed in this peaceful getaway.

Swansea follows closely behind in seventh place with a 15.48% index score. The most relaxing park in the city is Singleton Park. It features a large boating pond known as Singleton Boating Lake, a popular spot for visitors to enjoy boating activities and admire the surrounding scenery.

Carlisle, boasting a 15.43% index score, ranks eighth for its relaxing parks and green spaces to walk. Bitts Park, located along the banks of the River Eden, offers a tranquil experience in the heart of the city. Based on the reviews, visitors can walk through beautiful gardens, along the river, or just relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.

With an index of 14.71%, Warrington is ninth on the list of best cities in the UK for relaxing walks. While often overshadowed by its larger neighbours, Warrington offers its unique charm for those seeking a peaceful escape. Sankey Valley Park is a quiet spot with winding paths and calm waters.


Newcastle upon Tyne rounds out the top 10, scoring 14.65%. Despite its reputation as a vibrant urban centre, Newcastle has some calm spots to enjoy the outdoors. Jesmond Dene is a picturesque park nestled in a wooded valley, offering a peaceful retreat from the city’s bustle.

Here is the full list:

Rank

Cities

Relaxing Walks Index (%)

1

Hereford

28.88

2

Bristol

23.72

3

Lincoln

21.97

4

Milton Keynes

18.63

5

Oxford

17.47

6

Gloucester

15.73

7

Swansea

15.48

8

Carlisle

15.43

9

Warrington

14.71

10

Newcastle upon Tyne

14.65

11

Leamington Spa

14.03

12

Southport

13.67

13

Bath

13.34

14

Cardiff

13.31

15

Chichester

13.04

16

Aberdeen

12.47

17

Leicester

11.74

18

Mansfield

11.65

19

Edinburgh

11.48

20

York

11.30

21

Cambridge

11.05

22

Norwich

10.21

23

Welwyn Garden City

10.19

24

Manchester

10.07

25

Harrogate

9.78

26

London

9.77

27

Derry (Londonderry)

9.60

28

Wolverhampton

9.24

29

St. Albans

9.23

30

Esher

9.10

31

Winchester

8.99

32

Nottingham

8.91

33

Eastbourne

8.80

34

Liverpool

8.72

35

Salford

8.47

36

Southampton

8.29

37

Barrow-in-Furness

8.23

38

Coventry

8.07

39

Derby

7.85

40

Watford

7.80

41

Chelmsford

7.50

42

Sale

7.43

43

Royal Tunbridge Wells

7.42

44

Bangor

7.15

45

Bradford

7.04

46

Durham

6.83

47

Glasgow

6.79

48

Birmingham

6.70

49

Stoke-on-Trent

6.67

50

Guildford

6.55

51

Chester

6.48

52

Belfast

6.27

53

West Bromwich

6.25

54

Leeds

6.21

55

Northampton

6.20

56

Southend-on-Sea

6.19

57

Plymouth

6.10

58

Wakefield

5.99

59

Sunderland

5.95

60

Portsmouth

5.83

61

Dundee

5.50

62

Brighton and Hove

5.11

63

Paisley

4.94

64

Cheltenham

4.88

65

Newtownabbey

4.62

66

Lancaster

4.58

67

Sheffield

4.57

68

Newport

4.49

69

Halifax

4.18

70

Barnsley

3.96

71

Hartlepool

3.83

72

Reading

3.64

73

Kingston upon Hull (Hull)

3.26

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr-reat – Bulldog Grooming range

The guys behind the Bulldog grooming range like to boast, quite naturally, excuse the pun, that it’s the UK’s first and largest natural skincare brand for men. Launched, way back in 2006, out of a frustration that there were no options available for switched-on men who wanted to reduce the number of man-made chemicals in their bathrooms. Initially Simon and Rhodri got Bulldog off the ground by combining their life savings and maxing out credit cards to scrape together just under £37,000. Today the range is listed in over 7,500 stores worldwide and successfully competes and sits with leading brands on those shelves.

All Bulldog products are body friendly and don’t contain controversial man-made chemicals such as parabens, sodium laureth sulfate, artificial colours, or synthetic fragrances. Instead, Bulldog products are loaded with essential oils and other natural ingredients to deliver great skincare results. The products are not tested on animals and never contain ingredients derived from animal sources.

We asked Simon for some of his top inside grooming tips –

1) Moisture, always use a quality moisturisers that won’t overload the skin or leave an oily residue at least once a day. The award-winning Bulldog Original Moisturiser offers top quality and performance at a great price.

2) Avoid soap – regular soap will always leave your skin feeling over-dry, tight and uncomfortable. Conventional soap often contains strong fragrances and foaming agents that can irritate sensitive skin. Bulldog Original Face Wash is a brilliant facial cleanser that avoids such nasty chemicals.

3) Different Strokes – men’s skin is very different from women’s,so it’s very important that they use products that have been designed specifically for them. For a kick off, men have much oiler skin then women’s and this makes it much more prone to shininess, enlarged pores, acne and other skin imperfections. In addition, men’s skin is more acidic (with an average pH of 4.5) which means it can react very differently to products than women’s skin will. Therefore, it’s important that you buy your own products that have specially formulated for men by a proper male brand, rather than think you can borrow hers in the bathroom !

The Original and still the best – Lacoste Original

From the first polo shirt and clothing logo to the first steel racket and tennis ball machine, these four words embody the essence of the Lacoste brand and celebrate the pioneering spirit of its founder. René Lacoste was a tenacious champion and passionate inventor, often the first in the Original sense.

Truth, serenity, wisdom and confidence. A symbol of French elegance since 1933, Lacoste has been honouring the legacy of its founder for over ninety years. Combining the traditional with the ultra-modern, this fashion-sports brand revisits its codes with creativity and inventiveness, with the iconic crocodile—a firm favourite the world over—

as its figurehead. While fragrances have long been part of the Lacoste universe, the brand is

expanding its olfactory wardrobe with an original creation that reflects its unmistakable identity and celebrates its bold, daring personality. Lacoste presents LACOSTE ORIGINAL. A subtle nod to the Lacoste Original fragrance launched in 1984, this new scent embodies both authenticity and innovation. Elegantly revealing all the brand’s iconic codes, it adds an unexpected and surprising dimension to its olfactory universe, writing the first chapter of an inspiring, untold story.

Style and movement: these two dimensions so   intertwined with Lacoste have guided Master Perfumer Anne Flipo and Perfumer Tanguy Guesnet in creating the LACOSTE ORIGINAL Eau de Parfum.

“Anne and I worked on a citrus freshness with fiery spices to convey movement in this fragrance. Zesty notes of Bergamot, combined with the liveliness of Cardamom and Pink Peppercorn, make it a highly dynamic and modern scent.” Tanguy Guesnet.

LACOSTE ORIGINAL opens with the intense, tangy freshness of Bergamot, enhanced by spicy Pink Peppercorn and Cardamom accents. These explosive top notes give way to the elegance of Lavender and Clary Sage, which form an intense aromatic heart. At the base, sensual Sandalwood and powerful Patchouli lay the foundations of a potent sillage that blends comforting Amber with addictive Tonka Bean. Dynamic, modern and addictive, LACOSTE ORIGINAL is the olfactory expression of exalted creativity, freedom of movement and French elegance, the hallmarks of all Lacoste creations.