The UK’s most famous festival and the largest greenfield music festival in the world, Glastonbury Festival needs little introduction. Showcasing headline acts and emerging talent since 1970, it has set an international stage for world music, arts and culture for over fifty years. Curating a template for festivals across the globe and attracting music lovers of all ages, it encompasses all genres and geographies to create an unparalleled city of sound and style for five days each year.
To help you enjoy a boutique experience at this extraordinary festival, here is our curated luxury guide to all the unmissable Glastonbury highlights in 2024.
Main Stages and Areas
Top Things to Do at Glastonbury
The Best Food and Bars
About Glastonbury Music Festival
Starting in 1970 with an audience of just 1,500 people, Glastonbury Festival has grown to be the largest festival of its kind in the world. Usually held in June each year, it is famous for taking place on founder Michael Eavis’ working dairy farm and covers an enormous thousand-acre site in the picturesque Vale of Avalon near Glastonbury, Somerset. A cultural melting pot and musical utopia, this iconic festival occupies a prestigious place in music history and proposes an unimaginable wealth of things to see and do across its many stages, areas and arenas.
If you are seeking the ultimate festival experience, Glastonbury Festival welcomes nearly a quarter of a million people every year and promises the most unforgettable destination for music lovers. From watching musical royalty take to the stage to sipping champagne with actual Royalty in secret bars, the most magical moments await. Wake up to watch the sunrise at the Stone Circle; cosy up by the warmth of the Tolpuddle Fire; seek relaxation in a secluded sauna; dine in style at VIP lounges; and sing along to your favourite anthems as the blaze of a thousand stage lights blends with the glimmer of countless stars above.
Arriving in Style
Glastonbury Festival springs to life in June each year from the green fields of Worthy Farm. A five-day music village residing between rolling pastures, it spans a mile and a half at its widest point and covers nearly a thousand acres. To uncover a luxurious way to experience this legendary festival, come and go throughout the weekend to enjoy the extensive programme of entertainment and attractions by day, before returning to a night of pure comfort in a luxury retreat. Make your own way to the site or opt for exclusive arrival by private chauffeur or helicopter for ultimate ease.
Main Stages and Areas
Encompassing around four hundred hectares in total, Glastonbury Festival covers an area larger than the island of Tresco and offers a vast amount to see and do. Essentially hosting several festivals within one, it stars countless stages and areas, each with their own personality and style. From the world-famous Pyramid Stage to the laidback Woodsies to the late-hours Silver Hayes (formerly The Dance Village) and more, it has something to suit every taste and genre. Make a beeline for your favourite acts and venture off-piste to uncover hidden gems, securing VIP tickets to follow secret walkways between the stages…
Pyramid Stage
The Pyramid Stage is Glastonbury’s most famous and instantly recognisable stage where the headliner acts perform. Located at the heart of the festival, it resides within a shallow, grassy basin and is hugged by gently sloping grounds that offer staggered vantage points and clear views even from a distance. The original Glastonbury festival stage, the Pyramid is now in its third incarnation and in 2024 is set to welcome another round of music icons, with Dua Lipa, Coldplay, SZA, Shania Twain, LCD Soundsystem and more.
Other Stage
With views overlooking the sweeping Somerset Levels towards Glastonbury, The Other Stage is one of Glastonbury Festival’s oldest stages. The second main stage, it was originally known as The NME Stage before being rebranded in 1997. Today, it sits close to the Pyramid Stage in the centre of the festival and is a veritable must-see, having hosted some of the biggest names in rock and indie music from Oasis to Iggy Pop. This year, the stage is set to star Idles, Disclosure, The National, and Two Door Cinema Club.
West Holts Stage
The West Holts Stage, formerly known as the Jazz World Stage, is the go-to destination during Glastonbury Festival for the best of world music and is surrounded by a plethora of food stalls and bars. Bellowing out beats from its enormous speakers with jazz, electronica, reggae, R&B and more, it presents an eclectic array of artists and acts and promises to set a feel-good rhythm throughout the festival’s five days. This year, West Holt’s 2024 schedule includes Jungle, Jessie Ware, Justice, Black Pumas, and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Woodsies
Standing in the legendary footprint of the former John Peel Stage, Woodsies is a fresh face to Glastonbury Festival. First opened in 2023, this halcyon bubble is located a short distance from the Silver Hayes and San Remo areas and offers a wooded haven in which to revel. Around Woodsies, a finely curated collection of bars, cafés and hangouts circle the stage, while aerial walkways and the Tolpuddle Fire add additional attractions. Playing on Woodsies’ stage this year are Jamie XX, Gossip, James Blake, Arlo Parks and more.
The Park
At the southern reaches of Glastonbury Festival’s expansive site is The Park, a festival sweet spot where Ribbon Tower, the grounded HMS Sweet Charity ship, University of Glastonbury, and Park Stage can all be found, along with the not-so-secret secret Rabbit Hole bar. Soak up the atmosphere of this beloved festival pocket and listen to melodic soundtracks courtesy of Glasto musos and soulsters. Part of the musical agenda in 2024, you can look forward to Fontaines D.C., London Grammar, Orbital, and Peggy Gou.
Fields of Avalon
Should you be seeking rhythm and roots at Glastonbury Festival, venture to the Fields of Avalon. The perfect place to vibe in the sunshine with a fruity cocktail in hand, this festival favourite draws its inspiration from Albion fairs and beckons with soul, punk, pop, blues and ska tunes. Wander over from the nearby Glade and West Holts and pick a spot under the open sky to enjoy the dynamic music of the Avalon Stage and feel-good ambience. To top up on your tipple of choice, you can also stop at the Avalon Café here.
Silver Hayes
In its third evolutionary stage, Silver Hayes stands on the site of Glastonbury Festival’s maiden Dance Tent, which later became the Dance Village. Now reimagined as Silver Hayes, it is home to several unique stages, including The Levels open-air nightclub, the Lonely Hearts Club, the Wow Stage, the Firmly Rooted Soundsystem, and the Information Stage. Head over to uncover siren sound systems, experimental art forms, and platforms for entertainment and debate for an unmissable festival experience.
Shangri-La
One of the most famous areas of Glastonbury Festival, Shangri-La fills the enormous boots of the legendary Lost Vagueness – the famed former festival hangout of Kate Moss and Pete Doherty. Brimming with activity, the festival’s Shangri-La is swathed in artworks of all shapes and sizes and plays host to a variety of clubs and stages. Should you be seeking to draw out your festival mileage, make way to this colourful corner once the sun dips and be swept away by the nightly performances designed to entertain and inspire.
Top Things to Do at Glastonbury
The largest greenfield festival in the world, Glastonbury offers a completely unique experience for everyone who goes there. Proposing an untold number of things to see and do, festivalgoers are encouraged to write the pages of their own narrative and savour the festival with fresh eyes, year after year. Whether you are looking to tick off famous festival highlights or experience a finely curated list of Glastonbury gems, a wonderful adventure awaits. Promising sunshine and rosés, here are some of the best things to do for an unforgettable festival foray.
Watch the Opening Night Fireworks
To herald the start of this star-studded event and immerse in the atmosphere, make sure you watch the opening night fireworks at Glastonbury Festival. Preceded by the afternoon’s opening ceremony around 4pm on Wednesday, Glastonbury’s inaugural fireworks display sends majestic fireworks high into the night sky and illuminates the seas of multi-coloured tents rippling across the horizon. Watch as explosions of colour cascade against a backdrop of stars and embrace the start of the festival in style.
See a Film at the Pilton Palais Cinema Tent
If you would like to covet some downtime during your luxury Glastonbury Festival experience, then make way to the Pilton Palais cinema tent. Lauded by frontman Dan Smith of Bastille fame, this quiet corner is located near the acoustic and theatre fields and is a firm favourite amongst cinema seekers. Films run throughout the day and into the early hours and are played inside an enclosed tent for moments of movie magic.
Run Away with the Circus Fields
Glastonbury Festival is renowned all around the world for its incredible live performances. However, it’s not just music acts who take to the stage. In the Circus Fields on the eastern fringes of the festival, you’ll find thousands of scintillating skills and spectaculars performed by talented illusionists, artists, acrobats, and more. In 2023, the circus line-up alone featured fifty days and nights’ worth of continuous shows.
Catch the Sunrise at the Stone Circle
A Glastonbury rite of passage, catching the sunrise at the Stone Circle is a must for first-time and seasoned festivalgoers alike. Should you feel like waking up early from your luxury retreat to catch the sun’s first rays cresting the horizon, the best vantage point within the site is undoubtedly the secluded Stone Circle. Located on the southern fringes of the farm, the Neolithic-inspired stone circle rests on private land and can only be visited during the festival, making it all the more special.
Admire the Views from Ribbon Tower
If you can tear yourself away from the festival’s main stages and would like to enjoy Glastonbury from a different point of view, head over to Ribbon Tower in The Park. Adorned in huge, multi-coloured ribbons that dance in the breeze, this kaleidoscopic tower affords the best views of the festival site and surrounding Somerset countryside. Arrive early to skip the queues and admire the breathtaking panoramas from atop the sixty-foot-high tower.
Watch Pyrotechnics in Arcadia
Glastonbury Festival boasts impressive displays of awe-inspiring artistry – none more so than in the festival’s Arcadia arena. Fusing art, technology, robotics and architecture, Arcadia presents mesmerising pyrotechnic displays soundtracked by some of the world's most famous techno DJs. Venture over to be awed by the incredible installations, including a giant, fifty-tonne Spider, complete with flame throwers and a suspended DJ booth.
Enjoy Yoga at The Healing Field
Journey over to the Healing Field at Glastonbury Festival to seek a soothing sanctuary. One of the most laidback areas within the festival site, this zone of zen tempts with yoga, tai chi, meditation and massage. Embrace moments of mindfulness in between your favourite acts and treat yourself to a revitalising holistic retreat for an hour or two. Recharged and rejuvenated, step back into the festival flow for the next great performance.
Relax to an Acoustic Set
The perfect way to contrast the incredible anthemic tunes of the main stages is with a mellow acoustic set. And for that, the best place to visit in Glastonbury has to be the Acoustic Stage. Crowned with a red and blue-striped, bell-topped circus tent, this easily recognisable stage offers welcome shade from the elements and lures with the soulful melodies of blues, folk, country and fusion music.
Listen to a Lecture at The University of Glastonbury
Quench your thirst for knowledge and enlightenment with a lecture at The University of Glastonbury. Situated in the Crow’s Nest in The Park, this open university provides a podium for experts and intellects sharing their specialisms. Recent Glastonbury professors have included Jarvis Cocker, Jess Phillips MP and Professor Alice Roberts, and 2024’s line-up is set to be equally as intriguing and inspiring.
Walk the Aerial Walkway over Peeta’s Pond
For an enchanting Glastonbury experience, turn your attention to The Wood in Woodsies. Here, a network of woodland trails calls for adventures of the adumbral kind. Follow the winding paths, before casting your gaze skyward and looking out for the ship-shaped platform constructed in the Union Castle ash tree to admire views towards the main stage and Glastonbury Tor beyond. A real highlight, you can also follow an aerial walkway between the branches and over the mirror-topped surface of Peeta's Pond – lit by dappled sunshine by day and magical illuminations by night.
Uncover the Next Biggest Band
Running for over fifty years, Glastonbury Festival has been a mecca for established and emerging talent for decades. As well as casting the spotlight on beloved bands and artists, the festival also passionately promotes lesser-known artists and has catapulted wave upon wave of musical maestros into stardom. A festival must, visit the BBC’s Introducing stage to listen to the next generation of upcoming musicians and find a new favourite to set the soundtrack to your luxury retreat.
The Best Food and Bars
With hundreds of culinary specialists serving up all kinds of global cuisine, you can easily find something to cater to every taste at Glastonbury Festival. That said, if you are looking for somewhere extra special to satiate your appetite and lend an added sense of occasion, there are all sorts of delicious places to drink and dine. From Aperols in Avalon to Michelin menus in secret hideaways to prosecco in The Park, we’ve crafted a guide to some of the best places to eat and drink during a luxury Glastonbury experience.
Underground Piano Bar
Glastonbury Festival is served by countless numbers of bars pouring everything from cool pints of Somerset cider to chilled glasses of Champagne. If you are seeking a celebratory Moet or cocktail with a twist, set time aside to find one of the festival’s secret bars this year. Atop the list, the Underground Piano Bar is one of the festival’s most famous, and most hard-to-find, venues and is said to be one of the regular haunts of Michael Eavis himself. That said, with the location changing every year, you’ll need to keep your ear to the ground for this secret spot.
The Spike Wishing Tree, The Glade
Glastonbury promises an extraordinary variety of things to see and do at every turn. To take it all in from a bird’s eye view as you savour your beverage of choice, take a seat between the leaves of poplar trees at the Spike Wishing Tree at The Glade. Boasting a series of interlinked layers and structures between twisting tree trunks, complete with timber boardwalks, bars and DJ booths, this is the dreamiest place to go to sip sun-dappled drinks and cocktails under canopies.
The Rabbit Hole, The Park
One of the festival’s many hidden gems, the Rabbit Hole is somewhat of a Glastonbury institution. A celebrity favourite and a legendary destination, this not-so-secret secret bar resides in an easily overlooked location in The Park and promises a unique venue for atmospheric drinks. Trace the festival’s network of trails towards The Park and enter the Rabbit Hole, following a warren of tunnels to reach the bar. Changing in décor every year, this wonderfully Alice in Wonderland-esque bar has welcomed renowned patrons over the years, including British Royalty, Prince Harry.
Rocket Lounge
For delicious dining in the heart of the festival, secure a booking at Glastonbury’s Rocket Lounge. Presenting the Deluxe Dining Restaurant, this renowned foodie venue in the festival serves up two and three-course set menus and exquisite Sunday lunches, expertly curated by Head Chef Andy Evans. On the menu for 2024, look forward to mouth-watering starters such as smoked ham hock terrine; Cornish lobster ravioli; and hen of the woods, before relishing mains such as hanger steak; lamb, sweetbread, and morel wellington; and charred hasselback courgette. For a soul-soothing Sunday roast to keep you fuelled before you return to your luxury retreat, choose from delectable repasts such as roast topside of beef; Somerset organic chicken; Tudge’s rare breed pork belly; and wild rice and cashew nut roast, complete with all the trimmings.
Hospitality Areas
For those seeking somewhere more exclusive to dine during Glastonbury Festival, hospitality tickets can be secured by those in the know and they afford access to a number of secret areas around the site. Though the dining line-up changes every year for each area, guests can anticipate some of the finest flavours in the festival. In the past, these private havens have hosted heavenly pop-ups such as the Pony Restaurant. Offering sit-down dining with table service, this delightful pop-up was managed by Michelin star chef Josh Eggleton, who runs a string of Michelin recommended restaurants in Somerset. Expect delicious things in 2024.
Feeling inspired for a luxury festival experience? Take a look at our luxury cottages near Glastonbury Festival.
