Glastonbury Festival organisers have publicly criticised a luxury glamping company that offers helicopter transfers for wealthy attendees to the eco-conscious Somerset event.
The Pop-Up Hotel, a premium off-site campsite popular among Glastonbury insiders, launched an extravagant glamping experience for this year’s festival starting June 25. Located a short walk from Gate D, the site features upscale amenities such as 24-hour hot showers, flushing toilets, a spa, beauty salons, pool parties, and gourmet meals prepared by award-winning chef Max La Manna. Guests can also enjoy products from Korean skincare brand Beauty of Joseon and health treatments like vitamin IV drips.
The highlight is the Tipi Tenthouse Suite, priced at £28,999 for six occupants, boasting luxury furnishings, en-suite bathrooms, and the option to accommodate additional guests.
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Adding to the exclusivity, The Pop-Up Hotel recently introduced helicopter transfers that whisk guests from nearby estates directly to Glastonbury, bypassing traffic. The 15-minute helicopter flights start at £1,399 per person. According to the Mirror, this luxury service appeals to guests looking to travel like “rock royalty.”
However, helicopters, though less common than airplanes, contribute significantly to noise and air pollution. A single hour of helicopter flight can emit up to 500kg of CO2, conflicting with Glastonbury’s commitment to sustainability.
A festival spokesperson stated, “This offsite accommodation provider is not affiliated with us, so we cannot control their transport options. We explicitly discourage the use of helicopters. Glastonbury Festival encourages attendees to use public transport or car share.”
Since its inception over 50 years ago on a dairy farm owned by the Eavis family, Glastonbury has grown into Europe’s largest cultural festival, now attracting around 200,000 visitors annually. Despite its popularity, the festival faces criticism from environmental groups for the environmental impact of hosting such a large crowd in rural Somerset, which can lead to trampling and litter issues.
In addition, long-time fans have voiced frustration over rising ticket prices, with rates climbing from £265 in 2019 to £378 this year, and the appearance of expensive offsite luxury options like The Pop-Up Hotel that charge far beyond ticket costs but don’t guarantee event access.
While Glastonbury does not regulate external accommodation providers, The Pop-Up Hotel acknowledged that only a small fraction of guests arrive by helicopter, with most coming by car, coach, or train.