Picture this: a week of Cornish sunshine in August, a group of friends in tow, and your only concern being whether you’ll make it to the next set at main stage on time. Despite the chaos that comes with any British music festival, this is my idea of luxury. I might be biased, as I’ve always loved the rush of dancing under stage lights; but even I know those thrills come at a cost (especially when camping for five days without a shower).
I’ve done my fair share of early-bird camping at Reading, but this was my first time braving Boardmasters in Newquay. Whether you’re a first-timer or just curious about an insider’s perspective, I’ll be exposing the highs and lows of festival life. From beach shuttle buses and sunset surf sessions, to mud-streaked legs and food that starves your bank account. This is festival life through the eyes of a student – unfiltered and brutally honest.
First and foremost, the location deserves praise. Grazing cattle on the hills, sandy beaches and rolling blue waves. It was a festival backdrop like no other, and it didn’t disappoint. At times it felt like I was on holiday rather than at a five-day festival because our trips to town were so peaceful and wholesome.
Since re-entry to the car park cost £60, my friends and I opted for the £10 unlimited shuttle bus wristbands. Queuing took around 25 minutes, but they ran to both the beach and Newquay town, which soon became our highlights of the week. The beach hosted surfing lessons and competitions, while town offered pubs, shops and plenty of freebies (Costa iced coffee cans and Red Bulls, much appreciated by sleep-deprived students).
My favourite discovery was The Red Lion, a cosy pub perched above the coast. It quickly became our second home, with unforgettable food, a dart board, and views to rival the main stage sunsets. By the end of the week, the staff knew our orders and honoured us as ‘locals’.
The catch? Newquay is a five-hour drive from London. Think 6am starts, cramped legs and bags piled to the roof. But it also means five hours of music, laughter, and anticipation with your friends for the great weekend ahead. Alternatives include the train (pricey), or the Boardmasters coach service from London straight to the festival (a more sustainable option).
Speaking of sustainability, Boardmasters takes it seriously. From banning single-use plastic on entry to offering litter bonds (hand in a full bin bag, get £20 back), the efforts are clear, and the incentives are student friendly.
As for the festival site itself, there is plenty to explore, which makes simply wandering around feel like its own adventure. From The View stage overlooking the coast to beachside DJ sets, Boardmasters offers far more than just the average field festival.
The 2025 lineup was impressive, blending festival classics like Central Cee, Raye and the Prodigy with nostalgic favourites such as Nelly Furtado, Rizzle Kicks and Natasha Bedingfield. Hearing Promiscuous and Maneater live felt like a once-in-a-lifetime throwback moment. Another standout was the Swiftogeddon set – a Taylor Swift club night that was the perfect way to close out Sunday night with faultless atmosphere.
Though headliners didn’t take the main stage until Friday, the silent discos on Wednesday and Thursday night kept the energy high. With different channels for everything; from classic girly pop music, to rap and drum & bass, there was something for everyone (even if the Wednesday night mosh pits nearly swallowed me whole).
Some of my favourite moments weren’t even in the arena, but around camp. Sitting in deckchairs in a circle as the sun set, and taking pictures and pre-gaming before heading in, was the crux of the festival experience. Since alcohol from camps is banned in the arena (meaning expensive drinks and long queues), this time felt essential. Still, with drinking games like Ring of Fire and our group’s favourite, The Ranking Game, the pre-festival nights were some of the best. The Ranking Game works like this: one person secretly ranks the group in a category, such as flirtiest or funniest, and everyone predicts their order. If you’re wrong, you drink. If you’re right, they drink. It’s not for the easily offended, but it’s a brilliant way to find out how your friends see you.
With the highs, however, come the inevitable lows, and the toilets are the lowest. Hygiene is always a struggle for general campers, with Portaloos that reeked after a single day and communal showers that leave you feeling dirtier than before. Add in the queues, and most people give up and embrace the festival tradition of baby-wipe “showers”.
Another unexpected challenge at Boardmasters was the seagull invasion. Campsites became their personal buffet, so leaving food outside your tent was equivalent to an invitation for unwanted visitors. I was woken on more than one occasion by an army of seagulls squabbling on my tent roof, their feet thudding above me – an image I’ll never forget.
Sleep deprivation is also part of the package. Festivals aren’t exactly known for peace and quiet, and Boardmasters was certainly no exception. My top tip? Bring an inflatable mattress, a proper sleeping bag, a spare blanket and earplugs. That combination is the difference between surviving and suffering. This will be sure to keep the noise, cold and discomfort of festivals at bay.
Safety, too, is an ongoing concern. From spiking scares to the necessity of sexual assault tents, the risk is real. Boardmasters is one of few major UK festivals that allows sixteen and seventeen-year-olds to attend unsupervised, which attracts a noticeably younger crowd. Although my friends and I didn’t face any direct threats, we did witness a fight break out in our camp, and we were two tents down by the end of the week. They had collapsed once while we were in town, and once on the final night at the hands of fellow festival-goers. Luckily, nothing was lost, but it was a reminder that festival environments aren’t always predictable or secure.
But would I go back? Absolutely. It was an unforgettable weekend of fun, sun, and cider – but maybe with stronger tents and fewer seagulls. For students chasing the ultimate mix of the outdoors, music, and chaos, Boardmasters doesn’t disappoint, just pack wisely and stay safe.
