With just over two weeks to go until Glastonbury Festival, ticketholders will be feeling an increasing sense of excitement about what is in store. With world-famous bands and iconic musicians set to take to the Somerset stages, it's hard not to feel ecstatic with anticipation.
But after two years of a global pandemic which often kept us isolated indoors for weeks at a time, there may be some people who are nervous about standing in big crowds again. Covid-19 saw major events cancelled as we were forced to limit human contact, and even though the country has re-opened, some festival attendees may not have been among such massive throngs of people since 2019.
And with 200,000 people expected to attend Glastonbury, the festival has shared some tips on what to do if you're feeling nervous. The festival's website says: "With over 200,000 people at Glastonbury Festival, the fields here can feel busy at times.
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"As this could be the biggest crowd you’ve been in since 2019, it’s important to take it slow. Below are some useful tips on dealing with busy crowds and ways to help you enjoy your time at the Festival."
Glastonbury has written the following words of advice on its website:
- Know your limits! You don’t need to throw yourself into the middle of the biggest stage audience to have a good time. There are plenty of fields and stages – and so many things going on – so take your time and find your comfort zone. Spend a bit of time on the edge of a crowd to work out the vibe before you join in.
- Take it slow. Sometimes our crowds take a while to move – particularly in popular areas, for special guests and around stages after big performances. Take it steady, move slowly, be patient, don’t push. Listen for announcements from stages and security staff.
- Take your time. Consider delaying your exit after a big performance, especially if you don’t like being in a crowd. Spend 15 minutes soaking up the atmosphere before rushing off to the next thing – there’ll always be something to see.
- For a quick exit, leave out of the side. If you’re at a stage and you find yourself wanting to get out, stay calm. Don’t try and go towards the back, instead head to the sides – you’ll find that you are out of the crowd much more quickly.
- Look out for each other. If you’re in a crowd, keep an eye on your neighbour. If someone next to you falls over or looks like they’re not enjoying themselves, please be an epic human and help them out.
- Keep yourself fuelled-up. Make sure you eat plenty before spending hours on your feet at a barrier. Stay hydrated and fill up your bottle at one of the many water points and taps on site – don’t risk fainting in the middle of the crowd.
- Arrange a meeting point. Text messages sometimes take a while to arrive and you may get split up from your party. Agree on a place to meet up on the edge of an arena so you can find each other if you get separated.
- Help our stewards. If areas of the site get busy, we may need to temporarily restrict access. Please listen out for directions from stewards and keep an eye on the LED signs across-site which will tell you whether spaces are closed; and help us out by not adding to the crowds in these locations. Please remember that our stewards and security are there to help and support you.
- Take in the atmosphere. The Festival site is vast; don’t just run from stage to stage to try and fit in everything. Make time to stumble upon the unexpected. After all that’s where the true Glastonbury memories are made.
Quieter festival spaces
The festival's website has also shared a list of quieter spaces that people can head to to seek out a slightly more peaceful experience.
These are:
- The Wood (on the north side of the festival, above the Pyramid Stage towards John Peel)
- Above The Park (up the hill on the southernmost tip of the festival site)
- Strummerville (up on the hill beyond the Tipi Field)
- Cineramageddon
- The Green Fields
- The South East Corner
The festival also says its Worthy Welfare site, at the top of Big Ground, and Green Welfare in the Green Fields, are both open throughout the festival and "will be on hand to assist those in need of support". For those with autism or our neurodivergent Festival-goers, there is also a new Sensory Calm Space ( in the Kings Market, located between the Left Field Tent and West Holts Stage.
It is open on Wednesday from 4pm – 10pm, and from Thursday to Sunday it will be open 10am – 10pm. The website says: "The tent is aimed at providing a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone – with adjustable lighting, textures and sounds and other sensory calming aids – to assist those with clinical requirements."
For more information you can visit the Glastonbury website by clicking here.
