While the weather should be dry and warm, with temperatures averaging 52 to 66, Britain's unpredictable climate means that a downpour can strike at any time. Gumboots, waterproof jacket and hat are essential. Ensure that you have plenty of dry socks, warm clothes to change into and plastic bags to keep damp gear separate. Festivals in the United Kingdom tend to get muddy but are all the more fun for it. Lightweight shirts and trousers are good in the heat and dry off quickly should you get wet. Do not forget a sun hat, glasses and sunscreen because there is always a chance of blistering heat.
Pack enough for four days' camping, but be wise. Do not bring anything you cannot carry over fields for quite a distance. Rucksacks are the easiest way to travel on foot, but make sure they are not painfully heavy. Check the festival website for banned substances such as gas canisters and large aerosols.
A lightweight but comfortable tent is essential. Ideally, it should have a small exterior compartment to change out of muddy clothes, in addition to a mosquito net to save you from field bugs. A roll mat or inflatable mattress is a good idea, as is a sleeping bag that will keep you warm when the temperature drops. It may be summer, but you are still in the North of England, so nights are likely to be chilly. Take a rubber mallet for tent pegs if the ground is dry, duct tape to repair rips and string to provide a makeshift clothesline. Attach a flag to the top of the tent so it will be easier to find yours in a sea of canvas.
There are nine campsites at Leeds, which open at 3 p.m. on Thursday or 24 hours earlier for those who have early bird tickets. Pitch your tent away from busy tracks or toilets on a well-drained piece of ground. The Brown campsite is quietest, while Funfair is liveliest. If you cannot bring your own tent or want more luxury, Pink Moon campsite has "podpads" -- a variety of plywood homes or canvas tents to rent -- in addition to round-the-clock security, maintained toilets and showers.
Stalls sell everything from burgers to donuts, but can be expensive. Take dry, nonperishable provisions, such a cookies or packet soups, that will stay fresh and not load you down. There is a food shop in the Village Area. If you cook, be advised that gas canisters are banned, so bring a disposable grill, solid fuel stove or cooker that runs on ethanol-based "green heat" gel. You can have your own alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles or wine boxes, but security guards will stop you taking large amounts into the festival if they do not believe it is for personal consumption.
Leeds Festival has a welfare tent and first aid posts, but it is wise to bring painkillers and adhesive bandages, and antihistamines if you get hay fever. Take wet wipes, dry shampoo, toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Bring a plastic bottle to fill up at the drinking water points throughout the campsites and arena, as well as flip-flops to air out your feet and use in the showers. A flashlight is essential for making your way back at night and negotiating dark toilets.
Most vendors, particularly the food and drink stalls, will expect to be paid in cash, so change any dollars into British pounds ahead of time. The site has 30 ATMs dotted around the Village and the Arena, though they will add a small fee. Buy tickets ahead of time from the website, which has the option of an installment plan to spread the cost. Do not be tempted by sellers outside the festival -- you likely would pay much extra for an unauthorized ticket.
Most festivals in the Great Britain are pretty safe, but keep a lookout for pickpockets or tent thieves. Do not bring anything you cannot afford to lose. Volunteers can mark your valuables with ultraviolet pens. A waist belt or small bag will come in handy for essentials such as money, cellphones and cameras. There are fire extinguishers throughout the site. Do not use a padlock on your tent; they are an invitation to thieves. A better idea is to get to know your neighbors and look out for each other.
There is car parking on site and a shuttle bus from Leeds City Railway Station and Leeds Coach Station. With 75,000 people attending the festival, it is worth staggering your arrival and departure times to try and avoid the rush-hour crush. Most people arrive between Thursday evening and Friday morning and leave Monday morning. The British are famous for queuing, but it can be a bore after three days of festival fun.