It is the second time Tilly Davies is attending Reading Festival by herself.

The 18-year-old, from Northamptonshire, said even though it could get “a bit lonely”, it was possible to make friends and, once you get to enjoy the music, “it doesn’t really affect you much”.

Last year, she was supposed to come to the annual event with friends but they could not get tickets.

Despite that, Tilly has once again made it to Richfield Avenue on her own, ready for the weekend ahead, and says she is having “such a great time” and would definitely recommend the solo experience to others. “It’s a lot nicer going alone,” she said, adding it meant she could go and see whichever act she liked.

The event is expected to welcome about 100,000 people this year, with headliners such as Charli XCX.

Tilly is most excited for Sunday, when Florence and the Machine and Chase & Status will take to the stage.

“Just get out of your comfort zone, it’s not as scary as you think,” she said when asked about her solo visit.

“It’s scary getting there by yourself at first but, once you’re there, it’s so easy to make friends and you’re going to have a great time.”

She said a few people were “surprised” at her decision but she had enjoyed last year.

“My friends couldn’t get tickets last year, and I just had such a great time, being able to just go and watch whoever I wanted and not have to think about who everyone else wanted to go and watch, so I thought I’d do it again.”

She said it was going well for her so far this year and the only obstacle had been carrying her equipment alone.

“It was very heavy. I seem to have brought more than I did last year, so it was a bit of a struggle, but it was alright.”

Tilly said she felt safe and security were “great”.

“You can go and find someone who works here and, if you have any issues, they’ll sort it out straight away.”

She said anyone worried about safety issues should “definitely stay in one of the separate campsites”.

“It makes you feel a lot safer knowing that people can’t just go into the campsite without a ticket for it.”

Tilly said people who got “a bit confused” on why she was going alone “just haven’t experienced it alone”.

“It’s a lot nicer going alone but it is also nice having friends, so it’s good to go out and make friends with people when you’re there,” she said.

“It can be quite lonely mainly if you’re at your tent.

“But, when you’re going and watching the music, you’re there having a great time, so it doesn’t really affect you much.”