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King Arthur

• Private car/minibus

TOUR PRICES

Prices include:.

Prices are per car/minibus not per person and include your private tour guide, collection and return to your central London hotel and tax but not entrance fees where applicable, parking or meals unless stated. Please add £20 for collections from London Train Stations.

This tour is available in most languages. Select your language on checkout.

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About The Tour

Visit Stonehenge, Britain’s most important prehistoric monument dating from 3000 B.C. - Arthurian legend attributes the building of the stone circle to Merlin, assisted by giants. Also, see the burial mounds where ancient cultures buried their leaders.

On to Glastonbury and a visit to the Abbey where monks claimed to have found the bones of King Arthur and Guinevere. Enjoy a walk up Glastonbury Tor and enjoy breathtaking views of the mythical Isle of Avalon. Time permitting, visit also the Chalice Well Gardens where for over two thousand years people have come to drink the waters from the springs and find peace and solace.

Last stop is the medieval village of Avebury, visit the megalithic monument which surrounds the village of Avebury and was probably some form of religious centre. Less well known than Stonehenge, this fascinating site’s first stones predate those at Stonehenge by at least 200 years. Wander through the small pretty village and stop for a cream tea or pint in the Red Lion pub.

Ask us about an Overnight King Arthur Tour and also visit Winchester, England's ancient capital. Hanging in The Great Hall is a Round Table once believed to be King Arthur's. Also visit Tintagel Castle, dramatically perched on top of Cornwall's rugged north coast. Tintagel has been associated with Arthurian legend for centuries and was named by Geoffrey of Monmouth as the site of King Arthur's conception.

Mike picked us up in London at 4:30 AM and drove us to Stonehenge so that we would be in the inner circle at sunrise. It is there that I asked my one true love to marry me. (She said yes!)

Frederick Lowther

Why choose us?

Because you insist on the longest-established and most experienced service available in Britain. Founded in 1958, British Tours is still under the same management. About Us

Who is your Guide?

Our guides are personable educated men and women, chosen for their knowledge, special interests, backgrounds and personality. They will collect you by car from any central London location and guide you inside places of historic importance

Follow us on our journey

Tours of Glastonbury

Nestled amidst the verdant plains of Somerset, England, lies Glastonbury , a town steeped in a captivating blend of myth, legend, and historical richness. This charming haven, crowned by the mystical Glastonbury Tor, has enchanted visitors for centuries, beckoning them with its tales of Arthurian lore, ancient wisdom, and a vibrant New Age spirit.

Glastonbury Abbey , once one of the wealthiest and most powerful monasteries in England, stands as a testament to the town's religious significance. Founded in the 7th century, the abbey's majestic ruins, including the evocative Lady Chapel and Abbot's Kitchen, paint a vivid picture of its glorious past.

Glastonbury Tor is a hill overlooking the town and is a prominent landmark and has been associated with religious and spiritual beliefs for centuries. The Tor is 518 feet tall and is topped by the ruins of St Michael's Church, a 15th-century church that was destroyed in a fire in 1756. Glastonbury Tor has been associated with a number of myths and legends. It is said to be the burial place of King Arthur.

At the foot of the Tor lies the enchanting Chalice Well , a natural spring overflowing with legends and beauty. Imbued with an air of serenity and spiritual significance, this well has captivated hearts and imaginations for centuries. Whispers speak of Joseph of Arimathea bringing the Holy Grail to this very spot, imbuing the spring with its mystical aura.

The Abbey Barn Glastonbury , built in the 1340s for Glastonbury Abbey, is a remarkable example of medieval architecture and engineering. Now part of the Somerset Rural Life Museum, this 14th-century barn showcases the region's agricultural history alongside other exhibits, offering visitors a chance to explore the evolution of rural life in Somerset from the 1800s onwards.

Beyond its historical allure, Glastonbury pulsates with a vibrant New Age energy. Crystal shops, Wiccan bookstores, and alternative healing centers line the cobbled streets, catering to a community drawn to the town's mystical aura. Whether you're seeking spiritual guidance or simply a touch of bohemian charm, Glastonbury's unique atmosphere offers something for every curious soul.

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TRIP ITINERARY

King Arthur's Realm - Come with us and explore the myths and legends of King Arthur. Visit his gravesite in Glastonbury, the fabled Isle of Avalon, the mysterious yet tranquil Chalice Well Gardens and the historic Stone Circles of Avebury. In addition, we visit the ancient site of Stonehenge and learn of links with King Arthur along with its own intricate and fascinating history.

• Maximum 16 people per tour
• Admission to Stonehenge, Glastonbury Abbey & Avebury Stone Circle
• Photo stop at Glastonbury Tor and entry to Chalice Well Gardens
• Explore sites the big coaches cannot get to!
• Available every Friday

We leave London and head West to Stonehenge, which lies majestically among the chalk uplands of historic Wessex. This complex prehistoric monument has enthralled and allured both historians and tourists alike and with our expert guide on hand we can discuss the possible theories behind the very existence of this stone complex and admire its powerful presence.Further West, we enter Celtic lands to King Arthur's Avalon and the mysterious Glastonbury Tor, rising above the wetlands and marshes of the Somerset Levels. Legend has it that a mortally wounded Arthur was brought here after the Battle of Camlann. We visit his gravesite in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and learn of an earlier legend of Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail. We visit the tranquil and atmospheric Chalice Well Gardens, where the cup from the Last Supper was said to have been hidden in the First Century by Joseph himself. The truly magical town of Glastonbury has something for everyone including a great selection of New Age shopping and fun and quirky cafes for lunch.Our final stop of the day is at the huge complex of stone circles at Avebury with its pretty village of thatched cottages nestling right in the middle. Enjoy a guided walk and some free time at the largest stone circle in Britain before our return to London.

London Departure/Pick up Information

07:15AM   Outside The British Museum main entrance on Great Russell Street

07:30AM   Outside the Cumberland Hotel main entrance, Marble Arch (formerly the Hard Rock Hotel)

07:45AM   Outside Gloucester Road Tube station, meet at the station exit (directly opposite Burger King)

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SCOTLAND CELTIC LANDS NINE DAY TOUR

Visit  Kilmartin, the magical Isles of Mull and Iona, the mysterious Rosslyn Chapel, the ‘Whiskey Experience’, Edinburgh and a whole lot more. You will be in awe of Sacred Scotland at its best.

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Visit Dublin, the giant borrow of Newgrange, the royal druids meeting place Tara Mond, home of Drigid Kildare the Oak Church, Galway, the Aran Isles and the cliffs of Moher.

GLASTONBURY THE QUEST DAY TOUR

Visit all the sites of Glastonbury in one day. Hear the stories of  King Arthur, Mary Magdalene, Druids, Goddesses and much more, from expert and magical guides.

EIGHT DAY TOUR OF ENGLAND

This amazing eight day tour includes the Glastonbury one day tour; the Stonehenge and Avebury one day tour; and the Tintagel and Dartmoor one day tour. It is a truly life-changing experience.

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Be dazzled by 6000+ years of history. Learn how these sites align with the stars, how they were constructed and by whom. You will be amazed.  

KING ARTHURS CORNWALL TWO DAY TOUR

Come to the fabled birthplace of King Arthur set on the dramatic Cornish coastline. Explore Merlin’s cave and hear tales of heroes, faeries, dragons and goddesses.  

Tor's Tours

Tor’s Tours have been enjoyed over the last decade by various visitors and pilgrims, from the humble solo traveller to large groups, colleges and schools. Many retreat groups have been delighted by Tor’s spiritual knowledge whilst walking the sacred lands or receiving the inspiring myths and legends and joining personalised guided visualisations to help navigate the transformational experience. Tor has been developing his channelling abilities since being taught visualisation skills, as a child, by his mother; this has given him a unique ability to tailor-make your tour to suit and fulfil your needs. So if you’re inspired to come alone or with your family or bring your spiritual group. Get in touch, and we will help start your magical mystery tour.

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Stonehenge, Avebury & Glastonbury - Small Group Tour from London

Our Legend of King Arthur Tour from Central London takes you to Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury, three of England’s most impressive sites and intertwined with King Arthur.. Your experienced tour guide, an expert story-teller, will bring to life the legends of King Arthur, the mythical British leader. Available every Friday (April to October)

Aerial view of Stonehenge

We begin the day with a visit to Stonehenge.  We arrive at the site before the crowds when Stonehenge is at its quietest. This 5000-year-old neolithic circle has amazed generations with its mystical qualities and challenging understanding of why it was constructed and how it was constructed. It is a marvel of engineering by an ancient people who quarried, shaped, and transported these vast stone blocks hundreds of miles to this site. Your expert guide will discuss with you the theories behind the very existence of this stone complex.

There is a visitor centre displaying archaeological finds, a reconstructed Neolithic village and a cafe on site

Glastonbury

Glastonbury Tor, where legend says King Arthur was buried

From here we’ll drive through some of the most beautiful english countryside to Glastonbury, home of the King Arthur Legends.

Further West, we enter Celtic lands to King Arthur’s Avalon and the mysterious Glastonbury Tor, rising above the wetlands and marshes of the Somerset Levels. Legend has it that after the Battle of Camlann, a mortally wounded Arthur was brought here. We visit his gravesite in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and learn of an earlier legend of Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail.

We then visit Chalice Well, the tranquil and atmospheric gardens where Joseph was said to have hidden t the cup from the Last Supper .

Next to the ancient town of Glastonbury with its great selection of New Age shopping and many cafes for lunch.

Avebury Stone Circles

The day ends with a visit to Avebury, the huge complex of stone circles over 2300 years old, surrounded by a pretty village of thatched cottages. Enjoy a guided walk and some free time at the largest stone circle in Britain before our small group tour ends, and we return to London.

Our King Arthur Tour is available from London every Friday between April and October. If you are looking to travel on other days of the week, then check out our full range of day tours from London .

highlights:

• The King Arthur tour begins with pickup from three different locations in London
• Drive through the beautiful English countryside, across the Salisbury Plain, to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Stonehenge
• Discover the ancient stone circles at Stonehenge, an ancient Neolithic site over 5,000 years old
• Head to Glastonbury, set in the beautiful Somerset countryside

Glastonbury Abbey

• Visit Chalice Well, a beautiful garden and orchards. Legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea buried the Holy Grail on this site, which then became a spring, from which holy water flowed that brought eternal youth to anyone who drank it. It is also home to the country’s oldest well and is an oasis of peace and tranquillity
• Head to Glastonbury Tor, an impressive monument that watches over the surrounding landscape. Known as the Island of Avalon, this is where King Arthur was taken to be healed of his fatal battle wounds after fighting Mordred at the Battle of Camlann.
• Drive through the rolling chalk hills of the ancient Kingdom of Wessex, arriving at Avebury, home to the largest stone circles in Britain.
• Visit the pretty village of Avebury, with a guided walking tour and a visit to the Neolithic stone circles.
• The King Arthur tour ends with a drop-off at London Victoria train station
• 7:15 am – Pickup from British Museum main entrance, Great Russell Street, London. Nearest tube stations are Holborn or Tottenham Court Road.
• 7:30 am – Pickup from Cumberland Hotel, Marble Arch, London. Nearest tube station is Marble Arch
• 7:45 am – Pickup from outside Gloucester Road Tube station. Meet at the station exit.
• 9:30 am – Arrive at Stonehenge
• 11.00 am – Depart Stonehenge
• 12:00pm – Arrive Glastonbury
•  2.00 pm – Depart  Glastonbury
• 3:30 pm – Arrive at Avebury
• 4.30 pm – Depart Avebury
• 6:30 pm – Drop off at Victoria Station, London

Please note that  all timings are approximate

Tour includes:

• Transportation via luxury minibus
• A small group tour with a maximum of 16 people
• A friendly and knowledgeable guide
• Entrance fees to Stonehenge, Glastonbury Abbey & Chalice Well Gardens

Tour excludes:

• Food, drink
• Gratuities (optional)

Further details:

• The tour finishes with a dropoff at London Victoria train station. This is one of the largest stations in London and is easily accessible with connections to the District, Circle and Victoria lines.
• Fully refundable up to 24 hours before travel.
• You can view the booking conditions during the booking process, prior to confirmation of any booking

Tour Booking

Stonehenge:

Stonehenge’s history is a story you will become well accustomed to on our King Arthur tour. Whilst we know that Stonehenge was built over 4,000 years ago by Neolithic man, the biggest unanswered question is  why  it was built. There are many different theories and arguments flying around, and our expert tour guide will take you through some of them! You’ll get the chance to admire the sheer beauty and magic of the stone circles, which give the impression that time stands still!

Glastonbury Abbey:

Discover the legends and spirit of Glastonbury Abbey , the earliest Christian foundation in Britain. It was first settled, according to legends, in 63AD by Joseph of Arimathea.  Visit the legendary burial place of King Arthur, wander the grounds and take in the peace and tranquility of the site. Our tour guide will bring to life some of the most dramatic Arthurian legends, including tales of the Holy Grail and the Crown of Thorns.

Chalice Well Garden:

Chalice Well is a living sanctuary and place of quiet and peace. It is the site of the oldest well in Britain which is linked to tales of the Last Supper, the blood of Christ and is seen by many as a gift from Mother Earth. You’ll have the opportunity to drink the water from the holy well and take in the breathtaking surroundings. We stop at Chalice Well for a brief 25 minutes as part of the Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury Tour.

Glastonbury Tor:

One of the most famous landmarks in England, Glastonbury Tor is known for its breathtaking panoramic sweeping views of the English countryside and as a place of spiritual importance for many. It was once an island and first construction at the site began at around the same time that Stonehenge was built. There are many myths and legends associated with Glastonbury Tor including the Lord of the Underworld and King of the Fairies.

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Visiting Glastonbury

About glastonbury abbey, tor and how to get there.

Glastonbury is a quirky, unique place to visit, three hours' drive west from London. Glastonbury is a compact town where everything worth seeing is within walking distance and it can easily occupy a full day of anybody's time.

One of the refreshing aspects of Glastonbury is that it is not over commercialised and very few large coaches visit. It is possible however, to take a small group tour from London to Glastonbury , combining with Stonehenge and Avebury .

Most memorable though will be the 'new age', mystic shops and the hippy like characters who have made Glastonbury their home.

It is a mystic, myth and legend backdrop that weaves its way through everything you will visit and see at Glastonbury. So we recommend you first read our Glastonbury Myths and Legends page which if read will give you a great advantage in making sense of getting the most out of a visit to Glastonbury.

OK, you've finished reading the Myths and Legends page? Lets carry on then.

The two big draws in terms of numbers of visitors are Glastonbury Abbey and Glastonbury Tor .

Glastonbury Abbey   Glastonbury Tor   Chalice Well, White Spring and Wearyall Hill   Glastonbury map of main sights   Glastonbury by public transport   BOOK Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury tour  

Glastonbury Abbey

One of Glastonbury's claims is that it is perhaps the earliest Christian place in Britain. The Abbey which is in the centre of town is now a ruin, but a visit is still worthwhile - especially if you take advantage of one of the costumed tours that is included in your ticket price.

There is also a good exhibition/museum which will provide a formal briefing/background to Glastonbury.

Glastonbury Abbey was established as a Benedictine monastery during the years 670 to 678 AD. Prior to that time, it had existed, for many years, as a Celtic religious centre. According to legend, 2000 years ago Joseph of Arimathea (Christ's uncle) is supposed to have brought the young Jesus here.

Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is just to the East of the town of Glastonbury. A 10-minute walk from the High Street and Abbey (well signposted) will take you past Chalice Well to the foot of the Tor.

It is then a slog up a paved pathway up the south side of the Tor to the top. The tower on the Tor is all that remains of a fourteenth-century chapel dedicated to Saint Michael, a replacement for an earlier church destroyed by an earthquake in 1275.

No visit to Glastonbury is complete without a visit to Glastonbury Tor, preferably after you have familiarised yourself with the myths and legends around this mystical place.

Chalice Well, White Spring & Wearyall Hill

Once you have become enthralled by the myths and legends that weave around the Glastonbury landscape you will want to visit these three locations in Glastonbury that are at the heart of them.

Chalice Well, White Spring & Wearyall Hill - more details

Glastonbury by public transport

The first thing to say is that a day trip to Glastonbury from London is not really realistic by public transport.

You need really to overnight and make it a 2 or 3 day trip, perhaps combining  Bath  into your itinerary.

Glastonbury by rail from London

The quickest but most expensive option is by train from London's Paddington Station to Castle Cary, approximately 1½ hours. It is then a fairly lengthy and expensive taxi (best pre booked) of about 25 minutes to Glastonbury.

If you do only have a day, then your best option from London is probably a small group day tour combining Glastonbury, Stonehenge and Avebury. Though note you will only get about 2 hours at most in Glastonbury.

A cheaper but slower train option from London is to catch a train from Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. From close to the station you can get a bus to Glastonbury on its way to Street. Note the bus takes 90 minutes to perform this journey and the train from London takes the best part of two hours.

Glastonbury by bus from London

The cheapest option between London and Glastonbury is National Express or Berrys coaches that take 3 to 4 hours to do the journey direct.

Normally there is only one service a day for both companies, leaving London in the evening and Glastonbury early morning. National Express run from Victoria Coach Station in London, Berrys from Hammersmith Bus Station.

National Express also operate very frequently between London and Bristol from where you can get a local bus to Glastonbury taking around 90 minutes.

The Bristol - London service normally operates with a stop at London Heathrow Airport and there are services to Gatwick Airport as well.

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King Arthur's Realm day tour from London

Visiting stonehenge, glastonbury and avebury.

If you are a visitor from London and would like a really special day out to remember, there is one specialist guided small group tour, King Arthur's Realm .

This tour will take you into the hidden world of Avalon, a full day out covering many historical and spiritual sites, including Glastonbury as well as two other essential places of pilgrimage; Stonehenge and Avebury .

Out on Salisbury Plain you'll see the enigmatic World Heritage Site of Stonehenge. Here you'll witness up close the splendour of the magical stones, and discuss the possible theories behind Stonehenge's existence.

In Glastonbury you'll enjoy breathtaking views from the top of the famous Glastonbury Tor and discover secrets at the sacred Chalice Well (where the cup from the Last Supper was said to have been hidden in the First Century by Joseph Arimathea).

At Glastonbury Abbey you can and pay your respects to the grave of Arthur himself.

Finally, at Avebury you can walk the largest prehistoric stone circle in the world. Avebury is a magical place, with lots of ancient history with strong spiritual meaning for many people.

Expect a full day of druids, battles, magic and grail legends with your knowledgeable guide. Not to be missed.

More details of the King Arthur's Realm tour

SMALL GROUP STONEHENGE, GLASTONBURY & AVEBURY

Stonehenge, Glastonbury & Avebury Small Group guided day tour from London

Flexi adult from £174 • Best rate adult from £156.60 • Flexi child (3-15 years) from £154 • Best rate child from £138.60

• Small group day trip - maximum 16 people per tour • Admission to Stonehenge, Glastonbury Abbey & Avebury Stone Circle • Beat the crowds at Stonehenge - go there first! • Professional guide • Photo stop at Glastonbury Tor and entry to Chalice Well Gardens

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Discover the Mystical: 15 of the Best Things to do in Glastonbury

Glastonbury is known as the ‘hippiest town in the UK’ and it’s a place full of interesting and magical experiences. Whether you’re into spiritual stuff or just looking to explore, there’s something for everyone. You can visit the famous Tor, check out some really unique shops, and learn about the town’s history and legends. If you’re into hippie culture, you’ll find lots of cool, laid-back vibes and colourful places to explore. In this article we’re going to explore 15 of the best things to do in Glastonbury that you won’t want to miss when you visit this magical and free-spirited town.

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1. Ascend the Glastonbury Tor

The iconic Glastonbury Tor is a must-visit, offering panoramic views of the Somerset countryside. Steeped in legend, it’s said to be the Isle of Avalon, King Arthur’s final resting place. The climb is invigorating, and the views are rewarding, making it a perfect start to your Glastonbury adventure .

2. Explore the Glastonbury Abbey

The ruins of Glastonbury Abbey are a testament to the town’s rich history. Once a site of great religious importance, it’s enveloped in legends of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. The serene grounds and the fascinating history make it a captivating visit.

3. Discover the Chalice Well

The Chalice Well is a tranquil spot, believed to be a sacred source of healing. The waters are rich in iron, giving them a distinctive red hue, symbolising the sacred feminine. The gardens surrounding the well are beautifully maintained, offering a peaceful retreat.

4. Walk the Glastonbury Mural Trail

The Glastonbury Mural Trail is a historical journey that starts at the iconic Glastonbury Tor and finishes at the bustling Market Cross. To walk the trail, you can pick up a map from the Glastonbury Information Centre, and you can explore the town while learning about its captivating history through the colourful murals along the way.

5. Experience the Glastonbury Goddess Temple

Dedicated to the Divine Feminine, the Goddess Temple is a unique space for meditation and reflection. It offers various events and workshops, focusing on spiritual growth and self-discovery, making it a haven for spiritual seekers.

6. Browse the Eccentric Shops

Glastonbury’s High Street is lined with eclectic shops, offering everything from crystals to mediaeval attire. Whether you’re searching for a unique souvenir or exploring alternative lifestyles, the shops in Glastonbury are a treasure trove of the unusual and the mystical.

7. Enjoy Vegan Delights

Glastonbury is a haven for vegans, with numerous eateries offering plant-based options. From the flavourful dishes at The Rainbow’s End Café to the decadent desserts at The Pyramid Vegan, the town caters to all palates. 

8. Hike the Somerset Levels

The Somerset Levels offer picturesque landscapes and diverse wildlife, making it a perfect location for hiking and nature spotting. The flat terrains and well-marked trails make it accessible for all fitness levels.

9. Unwind at the Red Brick Building

This community-owned building is a hub for arts, music, and wellbeing. It hosts various events, workshops, and classes, and houses a cosy bistro, making it a great spot to relax and connect with the local community. You can visit their website  to check the schedule: 

10. Wander through the Rural Life Museum

This museum provides insights into Somerset’s agricultural history, showcasing traditional farming practices and rural life. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the past, with well-curated exhibits and knowledgeable staff.

11. Experience the White Spring

The White Spring, contrasting the red waters of the Chalice Well, is a powerful and atmospheric space, dedicated to the spirits of the land. It’s a place of reflection and connection with the elemental forces of nature.

12. Join a Guided Tour

Various guided tours are available, we recommend our very own Glastonbury and Cheddar Gorge tour, which leaves from London. The tour is guided and includes a guide and access to Glastonbury Abbey as well as the option to add on a tour of Cheddar Gorge Caves.

13. Learn to read the future

Learn the art of fortune telling with a 3 day future life progression course at radiant angel energy . They also offer angel card reading, reiki and guided meditation.

14. Take a workshop or retreat

Glastonbury is the hippie town in the UK, from mosaics to celtic healing. Wand making mushroom foraging. Browse online to see a fascinating array of magical enlightenment.

15. Attend the Glastonbury Festival

The ever famous Glastonbury Festival is a celebration of music, arts, and culture. With its A-list line-up and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a must-experience event for music lovers and festival enthusiasts.

Glastonbury, with its blend of history, legend, and spirituality, offers a unique and enriching experience for every visitor. Whether you’re drawn to its mystical allure, its vibrant cultural scene, or its natural beauty, Glastonbury invites you to explore, reflect, and connect. Fancy a visit to this mystical marvel? Why not check out our highly rated Glastonbury and Cheddar Gorge Coach Tour from London.

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Private Tour to Stonehenge and Glastonbury From London

Glastonbury and Stonehenge

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Welcome to this Private Tour to Glastonbury and Stonehenge from London; where legend meets reality as we follow the footsteps of King Arthur. Here is a preview of what to expect on this private day tour:

1. Private Tour of Stonehenge:

An early morning start gets us to Stonehenge where you will be one of the first customers to visit this famous Neolithic monument. Among the many legends connected with this famous site is one telling of its construction by Merlin. In addition, your expert guide will escort you to stones and enlighten you on all the mysteries, theories and history behind this fascinating monument.

2. Private Tour of Glastonbury Abbey:

In the afternoon we travel west to the county of Somerset and the resting place of King Arthur. On the way to Glastonbury, your guide will unveil the truths and legends behind King Arthur, pulling apart the ancient manuscripts and providing insight into who King Arthur really was. Furthermore, at the abbey you’ll have a chance to see the grave where King Arthur and Guinevere were discovered in 1191 and the sight their bodies were re-interred into a black marble tomb by King Edward I in 1278.

3. Free Time for Lunch in Glastonbury:

Today thousands of visitors come to Glastonbury to feel its sense of earthly energy and spirituality. At the same time, there is no where in the world quite like Glastonbury, with its interesting shops and mystical aura. One of the beauties of having a private tour is the extended time you’ll have compared to a public tour to explore the shops and enjoy lunch. Similarly, you can check out our peronalised food recommendations on our Glastonbury information page located in the ‘Our Destinations’ tab of the top menu.

4. Climb Glastonbury Tor:

What could be a better way to end the tour with a walk up Glastonbury Tor?! After all, a short 10-15 minute uphill walk is surely the perfect thing to walk off your lunch. Not to mention, you’ll be enoying one of the best views of Somerset from the very tip of the Isle of Avalon; the place where King Arthur was taken after being mortally wounded at the Battle of Camlann. In addition to unrivaled views of The Wessex Countryside, this 518 feet hike may even show you Wales on a clear day! Aside from its stunning views, Saint Michaels Tower stands proud at the top, as well as a sad reminder of the church that once stood their before the heinous orders of King Henry VIII to dissolve every Catholic Monastery in England.

Reasons To Book This Tour:

With so much to offer on this private tour, you will completely maximise your time at Stonehenge and Glastonbury from London. Similarly, as with all our tours, you’re entirely in control of your own timings, itinerary and destinations.

1 April 2024 – 31 March 2025 Price List:

From: £106.25 per person Group Size: 1 – 8 Locations: Stonehenge, Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury Tor, Optional Extra: Chalice Wells (Upon Request) Trip Duration: 10.5 Hours

07:30 – Depart London

09:30 – Arrive Stonehenge

11:00 – Depart Stonehenge

12:00 – Arrive Glastonbury Abbey

12:45 – Free Time in Glastonbury For Lunch and Shopping

14:00 – Depart Glastonbury

14:05 – Arrive Glastonbury Tor

14:35 – Depart Glastonbury Tor

18:00 – Arrive London

10-Hour Private Tour with Experienced Driver Guide

All Transportation & Fuel Costs

Full Guided Commentary

Walking Tour of Stonehenge

Escorted Walk up Glastonbury Tor

Entrance Fees to Stonehenge

Entrance Fees to Glastonbury Abbey

Pre Book Your Tickets to Stonehenge on their official website here:

Once you’ve clicked the link, please select the earliest time slot possible, which will be either 09:00am or 09:30am depending on the date you are travelling.

Reasons to Book This Private Tour to Stonehenge and Glastonbury:

• Top Rated Private Tours on TripAdvisor
• Private Tour – Perfect For Families
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• Private Custom Tour in a day

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IDLES! Little Simz! Kneecap! Glastonbury 2024’s most magical moments from Worthy Farm

As the Glasto massive recover from another heavy weekend, NME bring you the very best bits

How are you doing? Slept off the coma? Blown all that sand and dust from your nose? Managed a thought without that constant echo of late night trance bouncing around your brain? Still, at least you don’t have to walk 56 miles today and you get to do all your toilet business indoors.

More good news: to help you beat those post- Glastonbury blues, now you can relive the true highlights from the Worthy Farm weekend right here. Team NME were down there for five days and experienced it all – Dua Lipa’s glittering ascension to headliner status , Coldplay’s ballsy Saturday night spectacle , SZA’s mesmerising and shape-shifting closing set , the mammoth crowd pulled by Avril Lavigne , the not-so-secret Kasabian set , and we also gave you lowdown on the hoedown straight from Shania Twain’s legends slot .

However, we’ve boiled it all down to present you with these most magical moments.

Andrew Trendell, News Editor, NME

Words: Jordan Bassett, Rhian Daly, Liberty Dunworth, Andrew Trendell, Sophie Williams

LCD Soundsystem incite a mass love-in

Ending an immaculate Pyramid pre-headline set that was packed was a whole lot of sunset-friendly raving (and watched from the sidelines by Noel Gallagher and Dave Grohl, no less ), the climax of LCD Soundsystem ‘s Friday show came with that inevitable finale of ‘All My Friends’. As the NME review described it, that song and moment were the “manifestation of Glastonbury at its best, the memories in the making and the good times and still to come”.

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As the packed-out Pyramid field set off flares, climbed atop each other’s shoulders and hugged one another as if they may never let go, it was as if frontman James Murphy was warning us all of the Glasto goodness yet to come: “ And if the sun comes up and I still don’t wanna stagger home, then it’s the memory of our betters that are keeping us on our feet .” That’s how it starts. ( AT )

IDLES and Banksy made a powerful statement

It was bound to be divisive, but the Bansky-designed dinghy , populated with dummies to represent a migrant boat, proved to be a powerful moment during IDLES’ incendiary headline performance on the Other Stage . The band didn’t know the raft would come out into the audience for ‘Danny Nedelko’, which provided the perfect context for the art piece. IDLES ’ crowd held the vessel aloft as the group tore through a song about immigrants who, as frontman Joe Talbot put it before the song began, “built our country”.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Banksy (@banksy)

There was a twist in the tale, however. Little Simz threw an upbeat celebration on the Pyramid Stage the following night and, as she played her last song, the anthemic ‘Gorilla’, the dinghy bizarrely drifted back across the audience. The rapper clearly had no knowledge of the stunt, which here felt inappropriate and insensitive – proof that context is key. ( JB )

SEVENTEEN made history

Ahead of SEVENTEEN ’s history-making appearance at Glasto , there was some doubt among sections of the festival’s audience about whether they would fit in at the event – or even if they deserved their spot. By the time we reached the final two songs, though, those uncertainties should have been firmly blasted out of anyone’s mind.

This fun-packed tour-de-force proved that both SEVENTEEN and K-pop as a whole have a future here on Worthy Farm. ( RD )

Fontaines D.C. inched closer to G.O.A.T status

Where once they were scrappy, nervous and shy – playing with a speed and carelessness that suggested they couldn’t wait to get off stage – now the Fontaines D.C. live experience is a fireworks display of emotion and innovation. Their set up is appealingly lean, with a stage decorated with little more than some multicoloured lights, meaning that the focus is solely on the thrilling urgency of their sound.

At The Park on Friday evening (June 28) , pacing and skipping around his mic in a leather kilt, frontman Grian Chatten appeared electrified by his own intensity. There was a power and an urgency to the way they played that made thousands feel invincible: during a roaring ‘I Love You’ flares somersaulted through the sky, while tears were shed and dozens of core memories created. (SW )

Fat Dog became Glasto’s best friend

“Look at you all out there, poised like wolves,” opened Fat Dog frontman Joe Love to revellers at the packed out Strummerville field as Glasto eve drew to a close on Thursday night, “smelling each other’s bits”. We wouldn’t go that far, but things did get pretty damn feral.

“Tonight is going to be an evening of pure delight, because you have chosen Fat Dog,” he goes on – and how! With their wild brand of Super Hans cowboy gypsy rave, Fat Dog gave the early arrivals whatfor. Limbs flailed, the crowd was surfed, and things down the front got a little out of hand. “Chill down a little bit. I don’t wanna break any fucking ankles out there”, warned Love. Still, insanity ensued. Then they did it all again – three more times! ( AT )

Little Simz made her claim for the Pyramid Stage

The London rapper performed one slot ahead of Coldplay – no mean feat, considering the latter are the Worthy Farm house band – and at points seemed awed by the occasion. She often gazed disbelievingly out at the audience, and admitted: “Glastonbury, you know this is mad for me… This is by far the most people I’ve ever performed in front of. It really is a dream.”

The show itself was an astonishing spectacle , Simz’s delivery so assured it sometimes felt hard to believe she wasn’t on her fifth go like Chris Martin and co. And it seemed frankly inevitable that she’ll back to headline the thing. “Glastonbury,” she grinned, “I’m having the best time of my life.” She wasn’t the only one. ( JB )

Rachel Chinouriri gave us a joyful, uplifting indie-pop spectacle

There are few artists who have worked as hard and tirelessly as Rachel Chinouriri just to be recognised for their craft. Currently enjoying a real career renaissance – after having spent years asking, tirelessly, to not be mislabelled by critics and fans as an R&B or ‘urban’ artist – the indie star brought an exuberant energy to the Other Stage, as though she had been spiritually recharged.

Alongside a giddy cover of Estelle’s ‘American Boy’, the 25-year-old skipped her way through high-octane material from recent debut LP ‘What A Devastating Turn Of Events’. It was during a sublime ‘Robbed’, however, that Chinouriri was moved to tears, after encouraging everyone in the audience to not give up on their dreams. ( SW )

Kneecap’s late night naughtiness

How many bands boast of playing not one but two Glastonbury-defining sets? As Saturday partied into Sunday, we made the long march to Shangri-La after Coldplay’s Pyramid headline set for something a whole lot less wholesome. Irish language Belfast rap tearaways Kneecap had already played a set at 11.30am. “It’s been a long fucking day,” said Mo Chara after the band burst onto the Peace Stage. You’re telling me. “There’s not enough cocaine to go for 14 hours,” smiled Móglaí Bap.

That @fontainesdublin x @KNEECAPCEOL moment from last night. #Glastonbury2024 pic.twitter.com/AhUF9Fynfo — Andrew Trendell (@AndrewTrendell) June 30, 2024

“Inciting a chant of ‘ YOUR SNIFFER DOGS ARE SHITE’ , the trio started as they meant to go on – kicking off trouble. The balaclava-clad DJ Próvaí rubbed his nipples as Chara and Bap stalked the stage and started moshpits in each corner of the field. “We have no right rapping in a language that no c**t speaks,” offered Chara, “but in front of all you mad c**ts at Glasto, it’s a privilege”. To share the love for their home country, they then brought out Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten for their collab ‘Better Way To Live ‘. The privilege was ours. “You jammy fuckers,” said Chara. “you’re very welcome for that.”

“Things only get more wild for ‘Guilty Conscience’ and the closing ‘H.O.O.D.’, a true highlight of the weekend. We won’t ask how anyone here managed to stay awake, but we’re glad we did. ( AT )

Gossip brought us all together – and made us feel powerful

While 100,000 eager punters flocked to the Pyramid Stage to see Coldplay take on Saturday’s headline slot for the fifth time, a stone’s throw away, ‘00s indie icons Gossip took to the Woodsies stage for a raucous lesson in hedonism, queer liberation and empowerment.

From Beth Ditto’s powerhouse vocals during ‘Standing In The Way Of Control’ to the emotional moment the crowd helped the band criticise the US government by chanting “There are more of us than there are of them”, the set was one to prove the Arkansas band are still at the peak of their powers. ( LD)

Soft Play celebrated their friendship – and looked towards a fresh start

It would only be an understatement to say that Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent have been through the wringer in recent years. The Kent punks (FKA Slaves) have overcome respective mental health issues, life-altering grief and contention towards their name change as a band; after Vincent’s partner passed away in 2019, the duo went on an extended hiatus, and for a hot minute, it seemed like they were intending on never returning to the stage.

Through therapy and perseverance, they made their electrifying return to Worthy Farm this year. Though the crowd spent much of the set gleefully dancing and roundhouse-kicking away, it was the reflective single ‘Everything And Nothing’ that conjured a real moment of intimacy. As the acoustic track’s final chords rang out, Holman and Vincent hugged it out for a few minutes, proving sometimes a good cry is all you need. Here, big moshpits met even bigger emotions. ( SW )

Celeb spotting at Worthy Farm, from “normal men” to Normal People

It’s been a prime year for celeb-hunting at Glastonbury 2024, with T om Cruise and Gillian Anderson spotted singing ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger ’ before Coldplay’s headline set and Noel Gallagher himself seen mooching about backstage. Even more excitingly, internet sensation Hacker T Dog, everyone’s favourite hand puppet canine, paid a visit to the press tent. Yes, Team NME posed for selfies.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by NME (@nmemagazine)

You’d think that couldn’t be outdone, but we soon graduated from “normal men” to Normal People . This writer got a nice surprise, awaiting an interview with Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright backstage at the Pilton Palais cinema, when Paul Mescal sauntered past, topless (it was very hot). He proceeded to douse his hair with a bottle of water, before shaking it off like he was in a ‘90s Coke advert. And then Andrew Scott swung by. Woof! ( JB)

King Krule brought the love to The Park

Even with the obvious caveat that his deep, warbling voice isn’t for everyone, after over a decade in the game, King Krule still inspires intense joy and devotion among a cult fanbase. As his Glastonbury set proved, the south London-raised artist (born Archy Marshall,) has perhaps never been more emotionally available: he spent much of his set eyeball to eyeball with the front rows, quietly cracking jokes and allowing his typically meditative tracks to expand into hip-swaying grooves.

Yet it was a gorgeous rendition of ‘Seaforth’, lifted from Marshall’s 2023 LP ‘Space Heavy’, that unexpectedly became one of the weekend’s defining moments; he brought his five-year-old daughter Marina, dressed in a pink ball gown, on stage to dance and sway along with him as he played. Watching Marshall laugh, cut loose and get a little teary underneath The Park’s rainbow lights felt nothing short of magic. ( SW )

Black Pumas showed us how to get down – and how to fly

While the bill was dominated by some of the biggest names across the pop and indie worlds this year, a different atmosphere was brewing over on the West Holts stage on Saturday evening, as Black Pumas brought the soul to Worthy Farm.

“Let’s show the world how we get down at Glastonbury,” singer Eric Burton exclaimed, and needless to say, the audience happily obliged. If this euphoric set during golden hour wasn’t magical enough, the sight of the Red Arrows overhead as the crowd sang “Fly together” during ‘More Than A Love Song’ made it almost too good to be true, and even left the frontman lost for words by the end. ( LD )

Justice blew away the cobwebs with a rave spectacular 

From mixed opinions on Shania Twain’s legend’s slot to technical difficulties at SZA’s headline set , no one could blame punters for feeling a little weary as the end of the 2024 edition rolled in. That being said, if there was one act who knew how to close out the night with flare, it was French dance duo Justice .

Through their gritty basslines, immense stage production and mysterious stage presence, the set sent the energy of the crowd back into hyperdrive, as they left those provided a mind-bending escape for those soon to be heading back into reality. ( LD)

The National’s Matt Berninger just couldn’t keep out of the audience

There’s something about the spirit of togetherness at Glastonbury, and we reckon that The National frontman Matt Berninger felt it more than most. Hell, he probably spent almost as much time in the audience or in the front rows that he did on The Other Stage for the indie statesmen’s perfect closing set on Sunday .

It takes an ocean not to break. @TheNational #Glastonbury pic.twitter.com/0jiYcnqsNN — Andrew Trendell (@AndrewTrendell) June 30, 2024

During their “creepiest song” ‘Conversation 16’, he enacted the lyric “ I was afraid I’d eat your brains, because I’m evil” when he attempted to devour a really rather delighted chap on the front row. For ‘Terrible Love’, he bolted past the safety barrier to play Pied Piper to the devotees who follow him with their phones. You don’t get a more personal goodbye than that. Goodnight Glaso, see you next year. ( AT )

Check back at NME for the latest Glastonbury 2024 news, reviews, interviews, photos, rumours and more.

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Banksy’s Protest Art, a Brat Bash, and the Return of Paul Mescal’s Tiny Shorts: All the Glastonbury 2024 Highlights

As per British tradition, more than 200,000 people—A-listers among them—decamped to a dairy farm in Pilton, Somerset, over the weekend for Glastonbury, headlined this year by Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and SZA. Catch up on this year’s highlights here.

Little Simz announced herself as a future headliner

The London rapper and former British Vogue cover star played the Pyramid Stage before headliners Coldplay (and later joined them onstage to debut a new track, “We Pray”), but it’s surely just a matter of time before Simz is topping the bill herself. With little in the way of bells and whistles (no choreo here), the star held the Glastonbury crowd transfixed for the duration of her set. “I need you to understand that you are witnessing greatness,” she said on stage. “And I don’t say that with arrogance; I say that with confidence.” Nobody is arguing with her—least of all the music press .

Michael J. Fox made the ultimate guest cameo

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Perhaps the highlight of Coldplay’s undeniably epic set on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday night? An appearance from special guest Michael J. Fox, who joined the band to play guitar on “Fix You.” The 63-year-old star of Back to the Future , who has been battling Parkinson’s disease for more than 30 years, is key to the band’s origin story, according to frontman Chris Martin, who was inspired by watching Fox’s rendition of “Johnny B Goode” in the classic 1985 film. “Thank you so much, our hero,” Martin said on stage. Even the most committed Coldplay haters couldn’t fail to be moved.

Dua Lipa scheduled in some post-Pyramid down-time

Callum Turner with Dua Lipa, wearing an Ann Demeulemeester leather skirt and The Attico boots, the day after she headlined the Pyramid Stage.

What to do after you’ve smashed the Friday night headline slot on the Pyramid Stage, clad in a “ sexy, strong, cool ” wardrobe of Loewe and Versace? If you’re Dua Lipa, you find boyfriend Callum Turner, spark up a cig, and set about enjoying the rest of the greatest festival on earth as a spectator. She was spied strolling around the VIP area with her beau the day after her barnstorming performance—wearing Ann Demeulemeester, no less.

Paul Mescal packed his micro-shorts

After exposing maximum upper thigh on the front row at Gucci, Paul Mescal brought his signature skimpy shorts to Glastonbury. The star was snapped by his sister Nell Mescal , beaming in a pair of Adidas three-stripe shorts, a baseball cap, and a band tee.

The Irish contingent was strong

Paul was far from the only Irish A-lister on site. As well as Daisy Edgar-Jones, Mescal’s festival crew included his compatriots (and former co-stars) Saoirse Ronan and Andrew Scott. Ronan was later spied belting out “Paradise” from her boyfriend Jack Lowden ’s shoulders during Coldplay’s Saturday night set.

The crowdsurfing was a work of art

Five years after Banksy made Stormzy a stab-proof vest for his stunning headline set on the Pyramid Stage, the guerrilla artist and activist put his always-potent stamp on the 2024 festival, launching an inflatable dinghy filled with dummies dressed as migrants into the crowd during Idles’ Saturday night set. The timing was carefully chosen: not only is the UK days out from an election in which immigration will be a key issue, but the life raft also appeared as the band played “Danny Nedelko,” a track that celebrates diversity and takes aim at the insidious rise of nationalism.

Palestine was a persistent theme

Damon Albarn addressed Palestine—and the importance of voting—when he joined Bombay Bicycle Club on stage in a surprise appearance.

Amongst the usual peace signs and Pride banners, it was impossible to miss the Palestinian flags fluttering in the skies over Worthy Farm this year. Nine months into Israel’s military onslaught in Gaza, several acts felt compelled to make their feelings clear—some more directly than others. There was much to-ing and fro-ing on Twitter over whether Dua (who has publicly called for a ceasefire) did or didn’t deliberately position herself close to a Palestinian flag during her set in order to get it on camera, while Coldplay invited the Chilean-Palestinian singer Elyanna to join them on stage, along with Femi Kuti, for a rendition of their track “Arabesque.” The Irish band Lankum, meanwhile, sang “The Rocks of Palestine” on the Park Stage on Saturday afternoon, a reworking of the traditional folk song “The Rocks of Bawn,” with lyrics acknowledging the suffering in Gaza.

SZA became the first Black woman to headline Glasto since Beyoncé in 2011

SZA closed out the festival by headlining the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night, bringing her sad bangers to Somerset in a set that was beset by technical issues, but nonetheless hypnotic .

Charli XCX brought the Brat mood to Levels

Not sure if you’ve heard but… it’s a brat-girl summer . The mood’s progenitor, Charli XCX, duly pitched up to DJ at Levels in one of the most talked-about sets of the weekend. She even brought out Robyn herself when she played “ With Every Heartbeat .” The only downside? It took place at 12:30 a.m. on a non-televised stage, so you can’t watch it back—which, let’s face it, is quite brat.

A Tom Cruise performance was not on the bill… but it did happen

From Tay Tay to Coldplay: Tom Cruise with Gillian Anderson and Simon Pegg at Glastonbury.

Just a week after he was seen looking radiantly happy, if somewhat confused, at Taylor Swift’s Wembley gig, Tom Cruise’s musical tour of the UK continued at the festival, where he was filmed launching into a rendition of Oasis’s “Wonderwall” with Simon Pegg and Gillian Anderson. Only at Glasto…

There was an unofficial screening of the England match

Something else that wasn’t on the bill: a Euros screening. England faced Slovakia in the knockout stages at 5 p.m. on Sunday, but it wasn’t being aired at the festival. One Directioner Louis Tomlinson decided to take matters into his own hands, ducking offsite on Sunday morning to buy a flat-screen TV and a generator from Argos, which he set up in the camping area. He was ultimately rewarded for his efforts by Jude Bellingham, who saved the squad from being sent home with a goal in the 95th minute, which was followed by a second in extra time from captain Harry Kane.

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Glastonbury Festival 2024 review — a K-pop first, no-limits London rap and feelgoodism from Coldplay

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Ludovic Hunter-Tilney

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Glastonbury’s Saturday-night headliners are usually the gateway into a wild night of escapades in the festival’s madly diverting 900-acre site. But after Coldplay’s record-breaking fifth time headlining the Pyramid stage, I needed a lie-down in a darkened tent. This was a retina-dazzling, synapse-frying, sensory overload of a show. I found it unbearable.

Mind you, everyone else crammed into the vast Pyramid space, which holds more than 100,000 people of the 210,000 people present at the festival, seemed to love the performance. From the moment the British band launched into their opening number “Yellow” — one of their earliest and best anthems — to their finale with blandly comforting new single “feelslikeimfallinginlove”, the place was a ferment of flares, hands in air, girls perched on lads’ shoulders, flags, fireworks, confetti, flashing electronic bracelets and lasers. 

This was a spectacle designed to be seen from outer space: Chris Martin and his bandmates were out to make a Big Glastonbury Statement. They were joined by a large, random assortment of guests: a string orchestra, Femi Kuti’s Afrobeat big band, a choir led by the singer-songwriter Laura Mvula, rapper Little Simz, the actor Michael J Fox (now sadly affected by Parkinson’s disease) — an inspiration to the band, so Martin explained, for his guitar-playing turn in Back to the Future .

The element binding all this together was positivity of the most relentless and overbearing variety. Martin, choosing his words carefully, held the festival up as a paragon of inclusivity in a world “that can be perceived as divided”. This was a night, he added, for Israelis and also Palestinians, Ukrainians and also “peaceful Russians”. Chants of eh-oh and ah-ay were crowbarred into songs to illustrate the theme of togetherness. The agelessly athletic Martin, 47, twinkled and beamed and sang yearning high notes as the fireworks, confetti etc erupted around him — a prophet of supercharged feelgoodism for the wellness age.

I much preferred the previous night’s headliner, Dua Lipa. She put on a 90-minute big-pop show, smoothly powered and well resourced, but not straining for a grand statement. Songs from her underwhelming new album Radical Optimism (a Coldplavian title) were sharpened up. Hits from its predecessors sparkled. There was a lot of choreography with backing dancers: cue synchronised hair flick and hard stare at the camera. A runway leading into the audience was a Glastonbury innovation — and needed too. The Pyramid stage’s former proscenium-limited set-up has become an anachronism in the present era of arena pop with multiple performing areas.

At one point, Lipa told viewers to get off their sofas and dance. The reference was to her other audience, the one watching on television. Last year, when Elton John’s headlining set was watched by more than 7mn people, Glastonbury extended its broadcasting deal with the BBC. This year there will be more than 125 hours of TV and radio coverage, the most ever.

The scrutiny of unseen millions can be double-edged. Some viewers accused Lipa of miming, which she denied. (From my vantage point, she seemed to be singing live, and doing so well too.) But the BBC link, with its public funding, also compels Glastonbury to open itself up. Unlike last year’s all-male line-up of headliners, the 2024 equivalent managed to pull off the tricky balance between broadening appeal and serving up typical Glasto fare. (Following Dua and Coldplay, the final headliner, to be reviewed tomorrow, is SZA, the Gen-Z favourite whose typical habitat is TikTok, not rock festivals.)

“Making history, Glastonbury” was the slogan on a sign held on the Pyramid stage on Friday. In terms of “I was there moments”, this one wasn’t quite up there with Jimi Hendrix doing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock. I will not beckon my future great-grandchildren to gather round as I mumble about witnessing it. But nonetheless history was indeed being made. Glastonbury was hosting its first K-pop act.

The pioneers were Seventeen, a sprawling boyband with 13 members, mostly dressed in ripped dark denim and vests. The sign with the slogan was held by one of them. Although the group were second only to Taylor Swift in album sales last year, their slot was scheduled for mid-afternoon, a low-status billing. Conscious of their role as history-makers, Seventeen rose above the demotion. Limber dance routines and hooky songs were delivered with the kind of seriousness that makes frivolous chart-pop all the more enjoyable. “Very Nice” inspired something of a singalong, the festival’s seal of approval.

Glastonbury, of course, has its own rich history: the first one was held in September 1970, the day after Hendrix died. Its co-founder, Michael Eavis — Sir Michael now, following his knighthood this year — did his traditional turn singing Frank Sinatra standards at the Park stage on Thursday, before the official programme began. The 88-year-old ploughed through the songs looking frail in a wheelchair, but sang about doing it his way in a sturdy farmer’s voice. (For the rest of the year, much of the festival’s site is a dairy farm.)

In the early hours of the chilly night that followed, I joined a hardy crew of proggers and psychonauts for a performance by head-music veteran Steve Hillage of his 1979 ambient album Rainbow Dome Musick . Joined by French singer Miquette Giraudy, he appeared on a new outdoor stage with excellent surround sound. Although called out from time to time for paying comparatively low fees to performers, the festival does not stint on the quality of its sound systems.

“It’s Latin, so you have to move your hips,” said Peruvian electronic musician Sofia Kourtesis, introducing a song on the West Holts stage. A dry weekend, warm on Saturday, meant that feet were able to move as well: the dreaded Glastonbury mud was absent. On the same stage, a 79-year-old attendee of Woodstock, Indian singer Asha Puthli, made her Glasto debut with an evergreen set of vintage funk and soul. At the Avalon tent, a 75-year-old survivor of the Swinging Sixties, Lulu, closed her set with a cover of Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” before issuing a trouper’s plug for her autumn tour.

West Holts was overwhelmed by too many people wanting to see 2000s girl group Sugababes, who should have been scheduled for a larger space. Australian dance music duo Confidence Man drew a big crowd on the Other Stage for their ultra-aerobic party-starting routines: dazzling and witty to watch, but in danger of outshining the quality of the songcraft. Rock band The Last Dinner Party were popular draws on the same stage, playing tracks from their chart-topping debut album with an abandon missing from the mannered recorded versions.

Northern Irish rappers Kneecap packed out the Woodsies tent for an incongruous morning set of entertainingly belligerent tracks rapped in English and Irish. Meanwhile, Femi Kuti preceded his Coldplay guest spot with an appearance on the Pyramid stage. His oldschool Afrobeat was followed by modern Afrobeats from fellow Nigerian Ayra Starr, who was accompanied by a starry retinue of dancers but watched by a relatively sparse crowd.

One of my highlights was chanced upon during a nocturnal visit to Shangri-La, the festival’s dance-music zone. It was an early-hours set by Australian band Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, who belied the hot buttered mess of their terrible name with a knockout set of heavy psychedelic rock, including a song about seeing God in a tomato. But of course.

The other highlight was Little Simz, who played immediately before Coldplay on the Pyramid stage. The Londoner rapped with a mesmerising mixture of gravity and nimbleness, moving around beats while seeming to weigh each word for significance. Her sense of achievement at playing the largest audience of her career was transmitted without gush or complacency. “I don’t do limits,” she rapped in her rapturously received last track “Gorilla”. Here was a big Glastonbury statement of the best kind.

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Shania Twain, Officially a ‘Legend’

The Glastonbury Festival’s coveted “Legend’s Slot,” at 3:45 p.m. Sunday, was hers and she said she was ready for the “most extraordinary party of my career.”

By Alex Marshall

Photographs by Ellie Smith

Reporting from Pilton, England

On a recent Friday, Shania Twain rode a horse through rural terrain in Alberta, Canada, helping a neighbor relocate a herd of Angus cattle. As cows mooed loudly around her, the country-pop star multitasked, chatting on the phone about prepping for an appearance on a famous field an ocean away.

Twain recalled how she started to perform at age 8 in smoky bars where drunk men would sometimes heckle her. As a result, she developed stage fright and hated being in the spotlight until she was about 50, she said, so the idea of performing for more than 200,000 revelers at Britain’s biggest music festival would have been anxiety inducing.

But on Sunday afternoon, Twain, now 58, walked onstage at the Glastonbury Festival and did just that. Accompanied by a herd of equines (giant hobby horses, this time), Twain kicked off with “ That Don’t Impress Me Much ,” her 1998 megahit about dismissing romantic suitors. Within seconds, the vast crowd was singing along, dozens of women climbing up onto friends’ shoulders, their hands outstretched in front of them.

She was occupying the most coveted slot at Britain’s largest and longest-running music event, the so-called Legend’s Slot, at 3:45 p.m. on the festival’s final day, an appearance she said she expected to be the “most extraordinary party of my career.”

The musician who earns this prized booking — past performers have included Dolly Parton, Diana Ross and Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys — not only gets to hear tens of thousands of fans singing their music back to them, but also secures a large live TV audience, which typically results in a boost in record sales and streams.

In 2019, when Kylie Minogue played the slot, some 3.2 million viewers watched the performance live on the BBC . The Killers, who were one of the headliners, only attracted half that total.

This year, Twain competed for ratings with Glastonbury’s three official headliners: Dua Lipa, Coldplay (who on Saturday brought Michael J. Fox onstage during a performance of “Fix You”) and SZA.

Lionel Richie, who was the event’s “legend” in 2015, said in an email that after decades spent headlining dark theaters, taking the stage on an afternoon was unique because he could see the huge crowd’s every emotion. He added that many festivalgoers had dressed up to look like him, and at one point, an apparently nude fan crowd-surfed in a canoe. As fans sang along to every word, “I had to remind the audience that this was my show,” he said.

On Sunday, Twain sometimes seemed shocked by the crowd. At one point, she spotted three women who appeared to be wearing Shania Twain masks and reacted with amused surprise. Like Richie, she was struck by her ability to see her audience clearly, noting she could look out “right to the tents” on the hill. “It’s really moving,” she announced.

Twain said in the recent interview that she was aware of the importance of Glastonbury in British culture. Her team — some members are British — had explained that the event is like a temporary city that magically appears in the countryside each year and can, at times, feel almost spiritual. When they’re not watching pop stars perform, Glastonbury attendees can visit a stone circle, take dance classes or chant for peace.

“The way I look at it, is it’s a real cultural experience for everyone that goes,” Twain said, “and I plan on going early so I can take that in.” (That included bringing along rain boots to traipse through the grounds’ often muddy terrain. Attendees this year were lucky and encountered mostly dry conditions.)

When Michael Eavis, a dairy farmer, started the festival at Worthy Farm in 1970, it was a far more low-key affair. Tickets for the first event, headlined by Marc Bolan and what was to become T. Rex, cost 1 pound, about $1.20. Eavis gave the 1,500 attendees free milk from his cows.

As the festival grew, Eavis said in a recent email, he booked a host of acts that he regarded as legends, including Curtis Mayfield and Tom Jones. But it wasn’t until after the 1994 festival that the Sunday afternoon slot was earmarked for a special performance.

That year, Eavis said, he booked Johnny Cash to play at teatime. The country singer’s set ended up going down so well, Eavis said, that he “made sure we had someone in that slot every year after that.”

Emily Eavis, Michael’s daughter who now co-organizes the event, said in an email that she thought the “Legend’s Slot” had such impact because it took place on the festival’s final day, after attendees had spent five days “living here in these fields,” and were looking for a last party before returning to everyday life.

Twain was perfect for that moment, she added: “Shania just has the songs that connect when you have over a hundred thousand people in that Sunday afternoon, tired and emotional.”

Ahead of her trip, Twain said it was a surreal honor that she was now, in Britain at least, an official “legend.” She doesn’t see herself as a so-called “heritage act,” though, because she still wants to write new songs and collaborate with younger stars, including Harry Styles . “I want to learn new things and see my own creativity broaden,” she said. “I feel very unlimited.”Looking ahead to her set, she said she knew her job was to “take on the vibe of the festival,” and entertain. “This isn’t just another show,” she said. At Glastonbury, “the audience is the show.”

On Sunday, there were moments when that was the case. When Twain sang “You’re Still the One” while sitting on a stool, a large part of the crowd — many wearing cowboy outfits, or leopard print — crooned the track’s romantic lyrics while looking at friends, only occasionally glancing up at the stage.

And as Twain prepared to finish her set with “ Man! I Feel Like a Woman! ,” she clearly knew the audience had been waiting to belt the track’s feminist chorus. “This whole song is all about you,” she told the crowd. “You’ve just got to let it out,” she added, “and tell me and everybody around you how you feel.” Then she let everyone sing for her.

One fan in a cowboy hat, Erin Stewart, 30, called the show “absolutely life-changing.” She said she had been listening to Twain for 25 years and always considered her a legend. But finally seeing Twain perform live “was magical,” Stewart said: “I can die happy now.”

Alex Marshall is a Times reporter covering European culture. He is based in London. More about Alex Marshall

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