The 179th Munich Oktoberfest has opened its doors to visitors from all over the world looking to experience traditional Bavarian culture. The first festival was held in 1810 and is renowned for its huge selections of beer and German food. The 16-day experience, taking play from Saturday 22 September to Sunday 7 October 2012, has so much to offer, it’s definitely worth a quick trip over the North Sea – whether it’s by train, plane or automobile!

As well as its culinary delights, Oktoberfest is also known for being the world’s largest fair. More than 6 million people attend the event every year, and the traditional games of skittles have given way to carousels and rollercoasters. However, the festival retains a lot of its original features. The Official Tapping of the Keg is a legendary Oktoberfest ritual, where the mayor of Munich is given the honour of opening the first key of Oktoberfest beer, giving all visitors permission to drink from then on. There are also parades throughout the streets of Munich, with breweries exhibiting decorated floats while dressed in full traditional costume.

Germany is renowned for its extensive selection of beer and this festival is the perfect showground. With 14 food and beer tents to choose from, you’ll have your work cut out sampling something from each! Whether it’s the sweet or savoury pastries found in Bodo’s Café Tent, Feisinger’s selection of cheese or Burtschers’s bratwurst, you’re sure to find something that takes your fancy. Make sure you sample Oktoberfest’s amber nectar – a celebrated aspect of the festival. There are strict guidelines over which beers are permitted to be sold at the festival, including that the beer must be brewed within Munich’s city limits, and must hold a minimum of 6% alcohol. We suggest you try as many hand-crafted exclusive beers as possible but be sure to spread the load and as always, remember to drink responsibly!

The easiest way to access Oktoberfest is to fly. Airline prices to fly direct from London this weekend start from £70 with Monarch Airlines. Other options include the Eurostar or catching a ferry, but both will require you to hire a car or take advantage of Germany’s excellent public transport links. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, the official Oktoberfest website has several special offers for local hotels, so take advantage while you can.

We think Oktoberfest looks like one of the best opportunities to make the most of the end of the festival season. Although the slightly higher temperatures in Germany might make it feel like a holiday, the forecasted rain for this weekend will definitely remind you of home. It’s worth packing a pair of wellies to keep your feet dry while you duck out of the cover of one beer tent into another! Why not grab a classic pair of ultra stylish Hunters and relax in the knowledge that our free next day delivery will have them to your door before you’ve even had time to find your suitcase!

The 6^th - 9^th of September will see Robin Hill on the Isle of Wight turned into the eclectic Bestival. Voted Fans’ Favourite Festival in the UK Festival awards last year, the boutique experience offers an exciting array of music, art, comedy, cabaret and more. With a huge amount of creative entertainment on offer and an amazing musical line-up, Bestival promises to be a fantastic way to round off the festival season – rain or shine!

Florence and the Machine, Beardyman and Friendly Fires are just a few of the massive acts confirmed to take the stage at this year’s festival, but if that doesn’t impress you, how does a live performance from the one and only Stevie Wonder sound? The soul legend will be playing some of his best hits, so get ready to dance along in the mud to ‘Superstition’ and ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered’. Michael Kiwanuka and Ren Harvieu will also be on hand to administer some soothing acoustic sessions when festival feet get tired and heavy. Bestival also has a promising selection of DJ appearances including Radio 1’s Annie Mac and dubstep pioneers Skream and Benga.

While Bestival’s music scene looks to be huge this year, they certainly haven’t let the side down on other forms of festival entertainment. If you need a break from dancing or if you lose your voice during a mass sing-along, take a velvet-covered seat in their Lost Picture Show which will be showing vintage cinema classics from the twenties onward. The Crafternoon Tea Club allows you to create your very own Bestival souvenir during DIY craft sessions, or why not take in a foodie demo from the Camp Cooks. Bestival’s creative streak is evident in their original forms of entertainment, so make sure you don’t disappoint by participating in their innovative fancy-dress tradition. The theme this year is wildlife, so let your imagination go crazy – why not take some inspiration from this half-price pair of furry wellies or a slightly more conventional animal print wellies.

Even the camping at Bestival takes on an artistic spin. While the site’s entertainment areas include the Stardust Field, Wishing Tree Field and the Ambient Forest, the campsite names are similarly ingenious. Campsite hubs are colour-coded, and each has its own musical title based around this idea. Who wouldn’t want to stay in 99 Red Balloons, Blue Moon or Barry White? If that isn’t enough to convince you that a tent and a sleeping bag is enough for the long weekend, Bestival also has The Wild Copse - an exclusive premium campsite with plenty of boutique options available including yurts, cloudhouses and bell tents. The camping area also holds the Soul Park – a healing area offering massage therapies, meditation, hot tubs and saunas perfect for a quiet moment or taking time out to recharge.

Statistics

Chance of rain – According to forecasts, the Isle of Wight is meant to see sunny spells and minimal showers throughout the Bestival long weekend.

Average rainfall last year – Despite rainy predictions, Bestival 2011 saw a decent amount of sun. However, if our topsy-turvy weather is anything to go by, the fine predictions for this year’s festival could well be turned on their head again – so don’t chance it and make sure you go prepared for a rainfall!

Number of people attending –  55,000

Mud Factor

Although the weather man may say sunny spells, we don’t entirely trust him. We’re giving Bestival a 3 out of 5 Mud Factor rating this year – just in case! Make sure you pack your Sunday best wellies to avoid any embarrassing caught in the rain moments. Our Rampant Sport offer of a free festival poncho with every pair of Rampant wellies is still on - so make the most of it and keep dry and comfortable. Just don’t forget the fancy dress!

Creamfields festival began in 1998, established by the famous Liverpudlian clubbing brand Cream. Not only held in the UK, Creamfields presents the best dance artists throughout the world with festivals in Australia, Brazil and Spain. The UK event, however, has been voted Best Dance Event three years running in the UK Festival Awards, proving we can hold more than our own with a record attendance of 55,000 last year. Creamfields 2012 will be held in Daresbury in Cheshire over the August Bank Holiday weekend from the 24 - 26 August.

The three days of dance music kicks off with three silent discos hosted by acts like Kissy Sell Out, True Tiger and Jet Project. The headphones come off on Saturday when the three main stages come to life. The North Stage, South Stage and Annie Mac Presents Stage will all see huge names like David Guetta, Example, Avicii and The Chemical Brothers performing to crowds of dance-lovers. Sunday will see a similar line-up of stellar acts stepping up to the decks including Calvin Harris, Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe and Paul Van Dyk.

Creamfields focuses on bringing amazing music to its festival-goers, but still brings in some other entertainment to enhance your festival experience. The Vanity Van will be on hand to administer some much-needed touch ups with makeup and manicures for the girls and hair stylists for the boys. The Ibiza Angels will treat anyone suffering from festival weariness to luxurious massages and spa treatments.

Camping at Creamfields is located around individual hubs for each campsite. Containing their own seating and relaxation area as well as an observation tower, they are the perfect meeting place to catch up at the end of the day before heading back to your tent. The festival also offers a Festibarrow service – just hire a Festibarrow as you enter the campsite and load it up with all your stuff for easy transportation to your pitching area. As well as Standard camping a Luxury option includes pre-pitched tents or, for the more adventurous, beaupads or luxpads. Unique to Creamfields is a third alternative of hospitality camping. A hospitality ticket guarantees all holders to fast entry into the festival, access to an exclusive hospitality arena, a complimentary meal each day of your stay and a dedicated campsite with extra facilities.

Statistics

Chance of rain – The weather forecasts predict cloudy and rainy conditions throughout the entire Creamfields weekend, with sunny spells peeking through with a bit of luck.

Average rainfall last year – Unprecedented rainfall meant there were risks to public safety due to campsites flooding. Access to the campsites was limited to those willing to walk in mud up to their knees!

Number of people attending – 55,000

Mud Factor

Based on last year’s torrential conditions and this year’s miserable Summer weather, we have to give Creamfields a 5/5 Mud Factor rating. Even if you’re lucky enough to be camping in the exclusive Hospitality area, taking a risk with the rain is a definite no no – while you might be protected from the elements at bed time no-one wants soggy feet while dancing to Calvin Harris or David Guetta! Do yourself a favour and pick up a pair of Welly Warehouse Festival Wellies and a Welly Warehouse Waterproof to make sure the weather doesn’t dampen your dance festival experience!

With the intention of appealing to both Northeners and Southerners, V Festival offers an exciting mix of music and entertainment up and down the country. Held in Hylands Park in Chelmsford and Weston Park in Staffordshire with acts moving between the two locations throughout the weekend, the festival has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading since 1996.

Although predominantly a rock and indie affair, V offers a wide selection of music to satisfy all tastes. Headliners The Stone Roses and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds promise a Britpop session of Madchester proportions, alongside sure to be memorable sets from the Happy Mondays, Tom Jones, Madness, The Proclaimers and Human League. The Killers and Snow Patrol play on Saturday night at Chelmsford where festival classics such as ‘Mr Brightside’ and ‘Chasing Cars’ promise to spark a mass sing along. As well as showcasing a range of chart-topping well-established acts, V also acknowledges breakthrough performers like r’n’b singer Frank Ocean and rapper Childish Gambino.

If you’re a bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of musical acts on offer, V Festival’s own comedy arena, the Glee Club, is sure to provide some comedic relief. Tim Minchin, Sean Lock and Justin Moorhouse are a few of the excellent comedians on the bill. Other entertainment areas are themed around the festival’s sponsors. This year, Southern Comfort are creating a Louisiana-style part area, and Lucozade will be holding challenges and activities with festival themed prizes up for grabs. As well as entertainment, the festival has created two food areas - the Gourmet Garden and V Healthy - where you can pick up anything from a venison sausage roll, to a freshly cooked risotto or a wood-fired pizza, the perfect festival comfort food!

V’s camping arrangements include the usual festival options - campervans are permitted and there are several pitching areas for tents. If you don’t fancy roughing it, V offers its own specialist luxury camping services - V style. Accommodation is hand-built before your arrival and taken down after - so no pesky tent pegs to remove. The restricted area even has its own dedicated relaxation spa complete with rejuvenating treatments, and a fully-stocked beauty room with hairdryers and straighteners to sort out any bedhead. V Style campers also have access to an exclusive hospitality area within the main arena to watch the acts in VIP style.

Statistics

Chance of rain – Weather forecasts suggest Chelmsford is likely to see sunny spells on Saturday, but showers throughout Sunday afternoon. Unfortunately, it seems Staffordshire’s entire weekend will be subjected to rain which will be especially heavy on Sunday.

Average rainfall last year – V 2011 remained dry and bright throughout the weekend, but based on our Summer weather this year we doubt V 2012 will be quite so lucky! However, some sunny spells seem inevitable so fingers crossed!

Number of people attending – 160,000 combined attendance for both parks.

Mud Factor

The weather forecast doesn’t look good for V Festival this year so we give it a 4/5 Mud Factor rating. Whether you’re going for the rock acts, pop acts or up and comers, be sure to take your festival wellies and waterproofs. Worried you’ve left it too late? We’ve got all bases covered! Check out our Collinson Festival Pack with a free “Rampart” Festival Poncho (and free next day delivery) guaranteed to keep you dry all weekend.

Wilderness Festival takes place at Cornbury Park in Oxfordshire between 10th - 12th August 2012. Created by the people behind Secret Garden Party and Lovebox, the festival has a similar vibe to Latitude but on a smaller, slightly more grown up scale. Offering a diverse selection of music, theatre, talks, panel debates, late-night parties and mouth-watering food, this festival is perfect for the sophisticated with a silly side. Such a colourful array of experiences hopefully nods towards the future for festivals, offering succulent food, and even some cooking lessons placing more emphasis on the finer things in life.

Cornbury Park, home to Lord and Lady Rotherwick, is a Cotswold Country estate near Charlbury in the heart of Oxfordshire. The stunning 17th century house is surrounded by ancient forest, lakes, farmland and a deer park, creating a truly unique festival backdrop. Last year's Wilderness was named the UK’s ‘Best New Festival’ at the Festival Awards UK, with over 10,000 festival-goers in attendance - highly impressive for its debut.

Going beyond the normal boundaries of a music festival experience, Wilderness features a stunning selection of artistic experiences put together by award winning curators, pioneering artists, combined with more traditional values taken from its historical settings. Wychwood Fair was hosted on the same ground, historically one of the largest and oldest gatherings in England, growing during the late 18th Century into an enchanting fairground of fun and frivolity. Wilderness embraces theatre, debates and outdoor pursuits, guaranteed to get your brain ticking. Highlights include Secret Forum, where leaders and doers from various disciplines aim to educate, entertain, and generally raise some interesting questions, with a dash of comedy for good measure and perhaps some cabaret to keep you guessing. Also not to be missed is The School of Life, a company based in a small shop in Central London, bringing to the festival good ideas for everyday life, imaginative conversation and plenty of inspiration.

Wilderness cherishes itself as being a family-friendly festival, with an emphasis on craft, offering artistic workshops, circus skills classes and woodland walks. If you are planning on bringing little ones, be sure not to miss the spectacular storytellers from The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, guaranteed to entertain children and adults alike. Also featured in the Kids Area, The Flying Seagulls, a team of entertainers bringing a bold and colourful menu of activities. Expect some seagull silliness in the form of balloon sculpting, comedy sketches, magic tricks and alternative morning aerobics.

Highlights of the weekend include the Saturday night Midnight Masked Ball, this year hosted by The Old Vic Tunnels and The Secret Garden Party’s offering, Rise of the Tribes, sure to keep you entertained throughout the night.

Prices start at £99.50 including booking fee. Young people aged 11-17 go for £49.75 and children under 10 go free. Wherever you choose to camp - by the lakes, within the woods or amongst the deer park, hot showers, baby changing facilities and fresh drinking water are available across the sites. Also available boutique camping, offering a selection of tipis and huts, luxury toilets and showers, as well as a private relaxation area.

If you fancy purchasing something special for the weekend but are worried you've left it too late, check out our selection of Shearling & Fur Lined Wellies, guaranteed to help you stand out from the crowd - and with free next day delivery, there's still plenty of time to find the perfect pair for you!

GlobalGathering, as the name suggests, is global – the festivals are found worldwide including Russia, Belarus, and South Korea as well as the UK. The UK’s GlobalGathering is found in Stratford-upon-Avon, at the Long Marston Airfield, on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th of July. The annual festival features arenas from famous club nights like Hospitality and Godskitchen, showcasing the best acts in dance music.

The Main Stage headliners for this year’s festival include big names like Tinie Tempah, Chase and Status and Labrinth. However, GlobalGathering really comes into its own with its selection of smaller arenas, curated by various club nights, DJs and radio stations. Highlights include Rinse FM’s stage which features the likes of Ms Dynamite and Magnetic Man, showcasing the urban music the radio station is known for, and the recording company Digital Soundboy’s selection of acts such as Nero and Flux Pavillion. GlobalGathering is all about the music – this festival isn’t one for add ons, expect less on the entertainment and amusement stalls side, more dedication to the music you love.

Camping is free with a weekend ticket, and the campsite offers its own bar, café and even a dedicated camping store – perfect for picking up that sleeping bag you forgot to pack! If the idea of hammering in some tent pegs isn’t for you, GlobalGathering has a huge selection of other accommodation options. You could choose a pre-pitched tent set up ready and waiting for your arrival, VIP camping in a specific VIP area with luxury facilities, or make a more unusual choice - how does a tipi, pop up hotel or a PodPad sound? Go on, we dare you!

Statistics

Chance of rain – Weather forecasts are suggesting that the last third of July will be the warmest and driest of the month. With no rain predicted for Friday and only around 1mm on Saturday, fingers crossed GlobalGathering will be fairly drizzle-free!

Average rainfall last year – GlobalGathering 2011 experienced both highs and lows of rainfall. The weekend started with heavy downpours but moved into a cloudy and overcast (but thankfully dry) second day.

Number of people attending – 50,000

Mud Factor

GlobalGathering might be a global collection of festivals but we know if one country is getting rain this year, it’s probably the UK and us Brits know better than to take any chances! The forecasts however are predicting mainly dry conditions, meaning we give this festival only a 2/5 on the mud factor rating. That said, don’t forget the essentials - what English festival outfit is complete without a pair of wellies? Why not represent with a pair of Union Jacks and show the rest of the world that the UK GlobalGathering is one of the best.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been spotted repeatedly over recent months in her Le Chameau wellies – at polo matches, walking her new puppy Lupo, and this week taking part in a charity camping trip with inner city schoolchildren. 

(Image courtesey of the Daily Star.  Read the article here) 

The press seem to love telling us how much these wellies cost!  So we thought it was time to set the record straight:  What makes Le Chameau wellingtons the price they are?  Are they worth it?  And what are the options if you want to get the same look without spending the earth?  We at Welly Warehouse naturally have the answers!

Le Chameau has been manufacturing premium quality wellington boots in France since 1927.  Our MD visited the factory personally a few years ago to see for herself the process from beginning to end, and was delighted to find that these days, just as in 1927, every pair of Le Chameau boots is hand crafted out of natural rubber by master bootmakers.  It’s no wonder Le Chameau has earned its reputation as the world’s most respected wellington bootmaker.  

Kate has chosen the Vierzon Lady – a variation on Le Chameau’s best selling Vierzonord, with the addition of a luxurious full grain Italian leather lining.  At £225 they are not the most expensive boot in the range – their flagship boot the Chasseur, which also has a full leather lining, also has a waterproof full length side zip and sells at £285 a pair.  If you have the budget available, Kate’s choice is a superb one.  Favoured by serious fieldsports enthusiasts the world over, these boots are luxurious, comfortable, incredibly stylish, and come in varying width fittings so that you can achieve optimum fit.  And with the adjustable side buckle as well, you’d struggle to find a better fitting pair of wellington boots. 

But if the thought of spending £225 on a pair of muddies isn’t for you (and let’s face it, it’s certainly not for everyone!), we’ve got some stylish alternatives in a range of price brackets that will make you look every bit the part when you’re out in the country. 

LE CHAMEAU WELLIES ON A BUDGET
Fancy the brand without the price tag?  Take a look at Le Chameau All Tracks Country wellingtons at £70.  These also come in unisex and ladies calf fittings so that you can get the best fit, and with a cotton lining and simple, elegant style, won’t break the bank. 

LOVE THE COLOUR
Le Chameau’s signature green is hard to find elsewhere, but the next best thing would be the Musto Holmside or Pelton which are also an unusual khaki colour.  At £120 to £150 though, if you like the look of these you may also want to consider the Le Chameau Vierzonord – the neoprene lined version of Kate’s Vierzon boot at £145. 

THE COUNTRY LOOK
If it’s just the overall ‘country’ effect you’re after, you should consider both Barbour wellies and Hunter wellies which fall into the £50 to £70 price bracket.  With an array of colours to choose from these are perennial favourites that never go out of fashion, and these days are just as at home in town as they are in the country.   

GO GREEN FOR LESS
Our best value welly at the moment is undoubtedly the Rok Windsor.  Available in a choice of colours, the elegant olive green represents outstanding value for money – at half price reduced from £49.95 to only £24.99 – including free next day delivery – you’d be mad not to.  

Are you feeling patriotic?  This Summer with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in June, and the Olympics in July and August, the British Flag is everywhere and on everything, and wellies are no exception! 

The highlight of our welly season simply has to be the Hunter Brit Wellington Boot - a glorious Hunter Original welly with a vintage scarred Union Jack flag screen printed onto a waterproof linen fabric leg.  What a way to show your patriotism in the fields this Summer!      

Also winging their way to us on a pallet even as we speak, is the Joules Jack welly - For Queen and Countryside!  This Royal Blue rubber wellington bears all the hallmarks of the famous Joules welly, with the Union Jack boldly emblazoned on the front. 

But not everyone will want to shout their patriotic feelings quite so loudly, so there's always a more subtle choice available - how about the Hunter Original wellington in plain red?  Or glossy quilted pillarbox red in the Regent Savoy?  And if red's not your colour, we've got Hunter Original in Gloss Navy - or for those that like a little extra height, the Wedge Welly in stunning Duchess Blue. 

The options are endless.  Whether you want the full Union Jack, or something more subtle in red or blue, rest assured we've got the wellington boot for you!  

As worn by Katie Price, the Wedge Welly is becoming increasingly popular with celebrities and fashionistas!

Katie as opted for the 'Candy Girl Flex' welly.

This racy wellington boot incorporates a 2½ inch wedge which has been designed specifically to give you height and comfort.

High content rubber compounds provide strength and durability.

Upper:  Vulcanised rubber
Lining:  Cotton

Generous fitting to allow for a thick sock.  The manufacturer's guideline is to select your normal shoe size.

At only £39.95 a pair - it's a really good price!