Glastonbury – why you should consider going. How old you are is no barrier to appreciating Glastonbury

January 13, 2024

There are many reasons to go to Glastonbury, despite over 200,000 people, mud, toilets of variable states of cleanliness.

I first went to Glastonbury in 2007 when I was persuaded to do so by my sister who lived locally, and I’ve been going virtually ever since. Whenever I have been asked what’s it like? My answer is that it reaffirms my faith in humanity.

This takes many forms. On my first visit ( a muddy one), I was standing in front of the Pyramid stage along with 60,000 others. In mud that made it difficult for me to move my feet and I became aware that I wasn’t feeling that great. Then I found myself staring up at the sky. I had fainted and was surrounded by a group of people who helped me to my feet and then one of them said “Weren’t you wearing glasses”. Immediately they used their phone lights to find my glasses.

I don’t know if you have ever fainted, but you are legless so when my sister suggested we move to the side, literally I could not move. Then I heard one of those who had helped me to my feet offer his assistance. I was carried in a fireman’s lift by this young festival goer to the First Aid centre and when I thanked him and suggested he might find it difficult to return to his friends, he said “No problem, happy to help”.

On another occasion, we were standing by a group in their twenties and as is often the case you fall into conversation as you wait for the next band.  This then became a group singalong to whichever band was playing. By the end, one of the couples insisted that they invite me to their forthcoming wedding which they duly did.

Those are just a couple of examples of my faith in humanity being restored because throughout the weekend, you appreciate the friendliness and generosity of others.

Glastonbury has much to offer. Apart from music to suit all tastes, it is a festival of arts, so there is something to do that is sure to interest you along with areas, such as The Healing fields, that are beneficial to mind and body.

So how can you go?

Firstly, you need to register and then apply for tickets when they go on sale in October. They sell incredibly quickly so it’s a matter of luck whether you get through. There is a resale of approximately 10,000 tickets the following April. To find out more visit the official Glastonbury site.

Alternatively, you can get tickets via the various glamping sites but that comes at a four-figure cost. It’s an effort to get tickets, but if you manage to do so, you’ll quickly realise what it is – a unique event that fills your heart .

Is there a festival of any description that you would recommend? If so do please tell us.