Hotels near the Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury has been held on organiser Michael Eavis' property, Worthy Farm in Somerset, since its inception almost 40 years ago. Commonly regarded as the UK's biggest and best music festival, it attracts the world's most famous and celebrated musicians. 2012 is a rest year but the festival will return in 2013.

Glastonbury Festival was first held in September 1970 with 1500 people in attendance. It now attracts more than 175,000 people each year around the time of the Summer Solstice.

A huge music programme is presented on the Pyramid Stage, the Other Stage and eight other major arenas. Beat fanatics are well catered for at the Glade and the five stages that make up the Dance Village. Headlines and the most memorable moments usually come courtesy of the festival headliners, however. This year's are a notable bunch, with U2, Coldplay and Beyoncé among those taking to the stage and thrilling the crowds.

An entire field is devoted to circus acts, theatre and cabaret, while another is dedicated to kids. Healing fields offer meditation, sauna, massage and, even if you don't go looking for the action, it's sure to find you courtesy of wandering street performers, jugglers, singers and freak shows, all adding to the cornucopia of attractions that make up this unique event.

A huge temporary city springs up where the common purpose is to have fun, but be prepared for all weather conditions - that means bringing wellies and sun block. Visitors are sometimes plagued by thieves and it is advisable to leave valuables at home.