Glastonbury Music Festival
Country: Worthy Farm, Worthy Lane, Pilton, United Kingdom
When: 21st-25th June 2017
Follow year in 2018
Glastonbury is a world-renowned music festival that always delivers an exceptional musical experience, Starting in 1970, the Festival has hosted some of the most well known music acts on the planet including: Rolling Stones, Lilly Allen, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, David Bowie, Pet Shop Boys, T-Rex, R.E.M, Coldplay, U2, Basement Jaxx, Chemical Brothers and many more.
The most spectacular evenings are Saturday and Sunday when many of the “big name” bands perform. There are a variety of stages situated around the festival grounds allowing for variation in the size of the group and talent of the performers. Entertainment options range from small acoustic singers through to the headline acts. As a general rule, the larger the stage, the bigger and more well known the artist(s) will be.
Capacity is not really an issue in the big areas, although getting close to the stage can be tricky because of the large number of people in attendance.
Glastonbury attracts over 175,000 people so getting a ticket can be tricky. Booking is essential as the festival does sell out every year.
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Don’t wait for the full line up to be released, book your ticket early. You will be in for a great festival no matter who is in the featured line up.
Festival Videos
Key highlights
- The biggest names in music, past, present and future. You will have real treat on vast selection to choose from.
- The main stage and the pyramid stage are the two biggest entertainment areas and hold the big billing acts of the day and night.
- A carnival-like atmosphere. The festival has hundreds of unique stalls and eating areas. Wandering through between acts is a great way to embrace everything on offer.
- Living in tent cities. Join thousands of people who are camping – BYO tent.
- Mud, Lots of it
Where is it
The Glastonbury music festival is held every year at Worthy Farm at Pilton in Somerset in the southwest of England. The farm is 6 kilometers from Glastonbury town centre.
How to get there
If you are travelling from London, you take the M3 to the A303 and A37. Expect delays due to the huge volume of traffic so allow at least 4 hours travelling time. Your car will have to be parked in the festival grounds, which will cost about £25 for the duration.
Taking the train from London’s Paddington Station is another option. The journey is about 2 hours and ends at Castle Cary station in Somerset, about 30 minutes from the festivals grounds. Shuttle busses run between the station and the festival and are free for ticket holders. The cost of this option ranges from £25 up to £85 depending on when you are planning to travel (e.g. peak or non-peak times). Travelling in the periods before London’s rush hour will mean it’s a bit cheaper.
You can also fly or catch a train to the city of Bristol. From Bristol there is a direct shuttle bus to the festival. The shuttle departs from Bristol’s Temple Meade station and is £15 each way.
Where to stay
There is really only one form of accommodation at the Glastonbury Festival – tents. The real question is, “Where do you pitch up?”
The festival has a variety of camping areas and each has its own style and flavor – a bit like different suburbs in a town.
- Limekilns and Hitchin Hill are the quiet, more chilled-out camping areas
- Wicket Ground and Cockmill Meadow are family camping areas
- Pennard Hill is the party area.
You have to bring your own tent and sleeping bags. Basic shower and toilets facilities are provided in most areas.
Campervans and Caravans are not allowed in the main festival area but they can be parked in nearby locations. The typical cost for a space is £85 (in addition to your festival ticket). Motorhomes are also welcome, but could incur additional costs depending on size.
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Locals in surrounding towns turn into accommodation providers during the Festival and often let-out their homes or even just rooms within them. This certainly is a more comfortable option but the slight downside is the short daily commute to the festival. Worthy Farm is not a walkable distance from the town or local accommodation. You might find yourself being transported via quad bike or transit bus for a small fare.
Useful Information
More information on Glastonbury music festival: