The countdown to El Dorado begins...

30th June- 2nd July, Eastnor Castle, Ledbury

As El Dorado’s first year in 2016, Cirque de Soul put on a beautiful, relaxed and well balanced festival.  The crowd was small enough that it felt intimate, with well smattered stages that you were never short of differing genres and crowds to dance with.  The line up for a first-year event was pretty spectacular: on the Friday evening kicked off with Collie Buddz, and the weekend finished off with Craig David’s TS5.  Craigy D has made a comeback in a big way- singing, DJing and rapping- a true triple threat.  Between these were performances by Gentleman’s Dub Club, Blonde, Artful Dodger and Basement Jaxx to name a few of the most memorable acts. 

After last year’s initial success, this year is looking to be bigger, and better. The line-up includes names such as Hot 8 Brass Band, The Sugarhill Gang, Congo Natty and Groove Armada.   Besides the music there are other attractions such as the Elympics  (with fun activities such as the Slip & Vibe Slide, space hopper circuit and numerous dance battles) to keep you entertained during the day, along with impressive circus acts throughout the day, and a collection of world street food vendors to give you fuel before getting lost in the music of the night.  El Dorado is not one to disappoint – come find the lost city and stay with us for the added comfort and ease of your accommodation set up and ready to go so you won’t miss any of the action.

8 Essentials for a Stress Free and Stylish Glastonbury

1) Otto London Urban Poncho

Another one to add to your Glasto wet weather wardrobe. Otto London have created a fabulous range of urban ponchos that are rainproof and have an inner cotton lining to protect you from any wind which may come your way! They also feature a two-way zip, straps, reflective piping edges and an inner pocket to keep some of your valuables in whilst tracking the field.

2) Barbour Biker Wellington Boots

Sturdy footwear is a no-brainer. Even if it’s your first time at Glastonbury, you’ll have seen pictures of the legendarily muddy years. While we remain eternally optimistic there’s no harm in being prepared! These Barbour Biker boots are at the top of the wish list: not only are they stylish and durable, they allow easy movement too.

3) UPSO Birch Backpack - Green

UPSO’s Birch Backpack is your much needed festival buddy. It is hardwearing, compact but still with enough room for all your essentials and enough space for a few extras. As a bonus the backpack has been made from recycled lorry tarpaulin so you get extra points for sustainability, too.

4) Spitfire Gold Lennon Sunglasses with Black Lenses

Sunglasses are a must have at Glasto, whether it’s protection from the sun’s rays or to hide your tired eyes. You’ll be the envy of everyone with these sexy sunnies designed by Spitfire. With a Lennon-esque look and 100% UVA/UVB protection, what’s not to love?

5) Bubel towel

These quick drying Bubel towels are perfect for festival life. They come with a choice of bright designs, you won’t have to struggle to find somewhere to dry out your soggy towel and they’re space-saving too.

6) Belkin Emergency Power Bank

This emergency power bank allows you to charge any USB-enabled device so you’ll never have to worry about being left in the field without juice. You can power up the device in advance and then have the freedom of charging your phone wherever and whenever you are. Never miss the photo op again!

7) Campri Thermal Baselayer Pants Unisex Junior

These Unisex Campri Thermal Leggings will be your saviour during those cold Glastonbury nights. They promise to keep you warm when the cold sets in and retain your body heat once you’ve retreated into your tent for a cosy night’s sleep.

8) Go Security Holster

We always tell our guests to think hard about whether they really need a valuable item before bringing it with them to an event. If you can’t leave it behind then it’s a good idea to keep it on you. This security holster will keep your precious items close at hand so can roam Glastonbury with peace of mind.

A remembrance of Glastonbury 2016

Before arriving at Glastonbury, I imagined an expansive bumbling chaos. It was a festival I was determined to experience once, but was unsure of how I would feel when leaving. When I got there, my presumptions were valid, however, they were overruled by the wondrous setting and amalgamation of people all there for different reasons.

I am used to festivals where they target a specific audience- all after a relatively similar experience and who all share a love of a similar genre of music.  At Glastonbury, you stroll (or slip) for hours, encountering different people after different things, yet harmoniously enjoying it all together.  For this reason, it is so unique- I can understand why people wake up at 9 am on a dreary Sunday in October to refresh the same webpage until their tickets are secured.

Despite the mud and almost constant drizzle, everyone is in great spirits.  You wander aimlessly for hours to explore areas you have not seen, somehow stumbling upon a random bar with frozen margarita’s, playing 80’s pop tunes. A couple of women dressed as bee’s bump their bottoms to the beat, and you spot a mum and dad with their 17-year-old who is seemingly loving the music more than they are. You walk a short distance reaching a path full of eclectic niche shops, whose vendors are happy to chat to random wanderers about their craft and their passion.

For me, the most amazing moment was watching Earth, Wind and Fire at the West Holts stage on Sunday night.  This was a life dream of mine - although I was born 2 decades after their first album was released, they are a favourite of my happy, enthusiastic being.  When the band began to play, and their falsetto rang across the field, a father with his one-year-old baby were dancing joyously in front of me. This tiny soul, unaware of who this notorious funk iconic band even are, let alone understanding the concept of music, was bouncing up and down in his father’s lap with the largest grin I have ever seen.  Next to me was a woman in her 50’s - she stepped up on to the bench next to me as I had taken my wellies off to stand barefoot and free, and we held on to each other to steady ourselves, and also share that moment together.

Glastonbury - although the size is somewhat daunting, it is also the very thing that makes it an absolutely incredible experience.  Whatever your age, whatever your preferred genre of music or past time, Glastonbury truly has something for everyone.  If you enjoy people, food and music, go at least once in your lifetime.  I promise you won't regret it.

(Image used with permission from Glastonbury festival, photographed and coprighted by Andrew Allcock)

9 Festival Must-Haves to Glamp With a Clear Conscience

The only thing better than living it up at your favourite festival is doing it with a clear conscience. We’ve compiled our top eco-friendly buys that you can use time and time again at your favoruite festivals, making your life easier and that little bit greener. 

1.    Eco Jumbo Bag

These lovely, metre-high bags are made in Bangladesh and are perfect for easily carrying your clothes and additional snuggly blankets to keep you warm at night. (£24)

2.   Glitterlution Glitter

Biodegradable glitter! Look fab without the worry of the little fishies suffering because of your used face embellishment.( £2.99 for 5g jar)

3.  Happy Hippy body wash

Be the envy of the glampsite with this all-natural body wash that has the energising scent of grapefruit to put a spring in your step in the morning. (£4.50 for 100g)

4.  Cupful of colour

Biodegradable cups made entirely out of plant based materials, including bamboo and corn. Perfect for evening drinks with friends before heading back into the main event.  (£17.50)

5.  Alba Botanica Sun Cream

An all-natural sun cream to protect your beautiful face and body while you play. (£8.80 for 113 g)

6.  Totes Eco-Friendly Umbrella

Totally compact, and totally eco-friendly. The canopy is made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate bottles, and the frame is made of 70% aluminium.  Keep dry on those wet days at festivals with this brolly that comes in 4 different colours- black, green, khaki and sky blue.  (£21)

7.   Sunjar

Charge your Sunjar during the day, and let it glow by night with its lovely warm light for a portable glow-in-a-jar. (£20)

8.  Aigle Wellies

Made of natural rubber that is extracted from trees in such a way that the trees aren’t harmed, these wellies come at a reasonable price too. The upper contains 33% recycled rubber, the outsole is composed of 20% recycled rubber, and the insoles are made with 50% recycled material. They come in a variety of colours and patterns, they’re sure to put a smile on your face on the rainiest and muddiest of festival days! (Shorter boots around £45 ranging up to long boots around £90).

9.  One Love Health Locks Dry Shampoo Powder

This is one of the best value eco-friendly dry shampoo on the market and has a dedicated following. Perfect for when you need a little refresh without too many nasties – better for you and the environment! (£10 for .6 oz bottle)

Food, glorious food…

Delicious, relaxed dining – nothing brings people together quite like something truly scrumptious to eat, and we at Hotel Bell Tent are firm believers that the British summer and fantastic food should go hand in hand.

We are always looking to bring an exceptional experience to our guests, which is why this year at Silverstone Formula 1 and CarFests North and South we will be providing menu options designed and cooked by chef Eamon Fullalove, former head chef of Jamie Oliver’s flagship restaurant Thirteen and outdoor fine dining expert.

Every morning, each guest will wake up to a complimentary breakfast buffet that caters for every taste. From a cooked breakfast, made with the best-sourced ingredients, to a range of cereals, fruit, juices and tea and coffee, there is something to tempt everyone. Served from 7am-10am in our wonderful dining tents (excepting Fun Run days at CarFest, when times may vary), there is no better start to the day.

Throughout the day and into the evening, those looking for something quick, delicious and freshly cooked can pick from a menu of snacks and light bites, from fresh salads with a choice of toppings, to juicy burgers, to wholesome pasta made with the best durum wheat.

Daytime Menu - Click to view PDF

As evening falls in the beautiful Hotel Bell Tent hospitality area at Silverstone Woodlands, guests can look forward to soaking up the atmosphere each night while enjoying a mouthwatering feast from a different part of the world. From incredible Indian curries to the best barbeque America has to offer, and a classic British summer feast to vibrant Mexican flavours, this is al fresco buffet dining to remember.

Feasts Offerings - Click to view PDF

To top it off, all of the above can be enjoyed in Hotel Bell Tent’s beautiful, exclusive hospitality area, complete with indoor and outdoor seating, cocktail bar, and evening fire pits…