The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

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

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

Emily Ashworth
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: "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 Farm in 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. 

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 Farm is home to the world's most well-know festival, Glastonbury

 

More on Farm Life

Devon farmers to receive £180,000 bluetongue support package

Devon farmers to receive £180,000 bluetongue support package

Devon County Council has agreed to reinstate its Rural Support and Wellbeing Programme to help farmers cope with emotional and financial cost of disease outbreak

Jane Thynne
clock 16 October 2026 • 2 min read
Driver using Snapchat jailed for three years after killing farmer in crash

Driver using Snapchat jailed for three years after killing farmer in crash

"It has robbed the community of a much loved and respected man, it has put huge financial demands on our business and left a massive hole in everyone's lives that loved Michael."

Mia Willemsen
clock 13 October 2026 • 3 min read
New salmonella threat as bacteria found in Ukrainian egg batch

New salmonella threat as bacteria found in Ukrainian egg batch

Latest warning follows summer outbreak which left one person dead

Jane Thynne
clock 12 October 2026 • 2 min read