Every summer, the charming town of Glastonbury braces itself for a wave of confused festival-goers who mistakenly believe they’ve reached the famous Glastonbury Festival. Laden with tents, boots, and rucksacks, these spirited music fans often turn up in the historic town, rather than the actual festival site located nine miles east in Pilton.
Despite the festival’s massive draw of over 210,000 visitors annually, some attendees still find themselves lost in Glastonbury town instead of Worthy Farm, the heart of the event. This recurring mix-up has become a familiar spectacle to locals, who watch with amusement as bewildered visitors ask for directions.
David MacGeoch, former Vicar of Glastonbury and now Team Vicar in the Ouzel Valley Team Ministry, frequently encounters these lost travelers. Speaking during a 2023 BBC Radio 4 broadcast from St John’s Church, he recalled, “Every year, parents drop off their youngsters here, and the youngsters ask me, ‘Which way to the festival?’ after their family has driven off.” With a smile, he guides them nine miles down the road to Pilton and points them to the nearest bus stop, watching their initial disappointment quickly turn to relief.
The festival’s origin story sheds light on its confusing name. The event began in 1970 as the modest Pop, Folk and Blues Festival at Worthy Farm, attracting just 2,500 attendees. Inspired by the Bath Festival of Blues and Progressive Music, Michael Eavis launched what would soon evolve into a global phenomenon.
In 1971, the festival rebranded as Glastonbury Fair, adopting the now-iconic name and introducing the Pyramid Stage, uniquely positioned on a ley line linked to Stonehenge. Though attendance grew to 12,000, the atmosphere stayed intimate. Following an eight-year hiatus during which unofficial gatherings occurred, the festival returned in 1979 as Glastonbury Fayre, incorporating fairground rides, cinema tents, and newsletters.
By 1981, the event took on the name Glastonbury CND Festival, aligning with Eavis’s anti-nuclear activism until 1987. With increasing attendance peaking at 60,000, tensions with Mendip District Council escalated over the event’s size. After a break in 1988, the festival returned in 1989 under the now-familiar Glastonbury Festival name, marking the start of police involvement in its organization.
Why the festival bears the name of a town nine miles away remains unclear, but it’s widely believed to be a strategic nod to the town’s rich historical allure. Glastonbury is renowned for its mystical Tor, ancient abbey ruins, and legends tied to figures such as Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, and King Arthur—folklore that enhances the festival’s enchanting reputation.