51AVÊÓÆµ

The farm behind the festival - Glastonbury is here, but what happens to the cows?

Worthy 51AVÊÓÆµwill go down in history as the dairy farm that transforms to hold the world’s most iconic festival: Glastonbury.

Emily Ashworth
Digital Editor
clock • 2 min read
The farm behind the festival - Glastonbury is here, but what happens to the cows?

If there is one festival that everybody has heard of, it is Glastonbury. But what makes it more unique is its location on Michael and Emily Eavis' dairy farm, who are probably one of the most well-known father/daughter farming duos of all time.

Music royalty has graced its stages, from the Rolling Stones to Beyonce, and it will go down in music history as the cream of the crop of festivals.

But here are some things you may not know, including where the cows go when thousands descend on Worthy Farm.

READ NOW: Q&A with Jeremy Clarkson:Ìý"In the past, farming on television has been portrayed as fresh straw, fluffy lambs, agreeable calves - a bit like Babe"

What do Michael and Emily farm?

Apparently there are around 400 cows at Worthy 51AVÊÓÆµin Somerset, and Michael has said in previous interviews that the dairy industry should be ‘proud of what we are doing.'

Where do the cows go?

It is said that the cows go and graze elsewhere, although the milkers stay close by to avoid e.coli.

In the beginning

Michael originally started the festival to make a bit of extra money, as farming at the time was not doing well.

Did you know?

For the first festival back in 1970, tickets were originally only £1 - according to the Bank of England, this equates to around £12.80 now. Festival goers were given free milk on entry to the farm.Ìý

Sustainable focus

In 2010, it became the largest privately owned solar power station in the UK at that particular time, as all cowsheds were covered with solar panels - enough to power 40 homes.

Last year it will be entirely run by renewable energy.

READ NOW: Liz Fletcher on finding her feet in farming: "We love the shows; we love the tradition of them"

null
Worthy 51AVÊÓÆµis home to the world's most well-know festival, Glastonbury

Ìý

More on 51AVÊÓÆµLife

Suckler cows and speedboats – how a watersports diversification has helped an organic beef enterprise to thrive

Suckler cows and speedboats – how a watersports diversification has helped an organic beef enterprise to thrive

Few beef farmers can claim that skippering a speedboat is part of the working day, but the Scott-Park family's lochside location has provided opportunities to supplement the income from their organic suckler herd

Wendy Short
clock 06 August 2026 • 7 min read
Traffic halted on M4 in Swindon due to fire involving trailer of hay

Traffic halted on M4 in Swindon due to fire involving trailer of hay

Motorists have been stopped on the M4 westbound between junction 15 and 16 as fire crew tackle to blaze

Mia Willemsen
clock 03 August 2026 • 4 min read
British farmer forced to launch crowdfunder in bid to feed cattle

British farmer forced to launch crowdfunder in bid to feed cattle

Doug Mountjoy wildfires and a three-month heatwave in the Pyranees have meant there is not a 'blade of grass left'

Jane Thynne
clock 02 August 2026 • 2 min read