Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury is the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world, set in more than 1,000 acres of the Vale of Avalon in an area steeped in symbolism, mythology and religious traditions dating back many hundreds of years.

The modern day festival has also etched its way into rock history since farmer Michael Eavis opened his gates to friends, travellers and hippies in 1970, charging just £1 for entry and giving out free milk throughout the weekend.

Eavis still runs the 150,000-capacity festival, which has become THE benchmark by which all other festivals are compared - and he still picks the main stage headliners. The likes of Oasis, Muse, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, David Bowie and The White Stripes have all topped the bill in recent years.

While other festivals wave their sponsorship budgets to get their major acts, bands will often drop their fees for the privilege of performing on one of Glastonbury's many stages, which include the Pyramid and Other Stages, Jazz World, Dance Village, Acoustic and Cabaret Arena and the John Peel Stage.

And while other festivals can compete on lineup, none come near in terms of the unique atmosphere and sheer size and scope of Glastonbury, with many of its most magical moments being found on the periphery in the famous Green Fields. 

As well as being one of the most spectacular events on earth, Glastonbury Festival retains its ethos as a postive force for change locally and internationally; each year the festival donates huge sums to various charities including Greenpeace and Oxfam.