Crowds pour in as Glastonbury Festival gates open

5 hours ago 1

Sarah Turnnidge

BBC News, West of England

Emma Hallett

BBC News, Somerset

Watch: Gates open for Glastonbury Festival 2025

The gates have officially opened for Glastonbury Festival 2025.

Co-founder Sir Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily Eavis, who now runs the festival, led the countdown shortly before 08:00 BST.

More than 200,000 people are set to descend on the site in the coming days ahead of the main festival programme launching on Friday.

Speaking shortly before the gates opened, Ms Eavis told the BBC: "It's been such a build-up this year, it's been an amazing amount of excitement."

Emily, shown wearing a white shirt and with her blonde hair back, being interviewed by a BBC News journalist. There are lots of other journalists surrounding her. Crowds can be seen in the background as they enter the gates to Worthy Farm.

Ms Eavis said: "We're all so looking forward to opening the gates and to be able to do it with my dad has been amazing.

"It's the best moment to let them all in and it's just such a joyful city, the most joyful city in the UK for the next five days."

The man carrying all of his stuff to Glastonbury in a wheelie bin

Hundreds of people arrived on Tuesday night, sleeping under the stars in queues in a bid to be the first on site.

Among them were James Trusson, 31, from Ash, Somerset, Grace Ball, 29, from Bournemouth and Dan Mortimore, from Compton Dundon, Somerset, who made it to the front of the line for the second year in a row.

Three people standing by the line to enter Glastonbury Festival. There is a man dressed in a blue zip up jacket who is wearing a cap. He has his arms around a blonde woman who is dressed in all black and wearing sunglasses. Another man is stood next to her. He is wearing a green and white striped t-shirt, a beige jacket and black trousers with a red cap. They are all looking at the camera and smiling. There are crowds of people behind them waiting to enter the site.

Having put themselves in prime position for a top camping spot, Ms Ball said their plans for the rest of the day were to go "back to the car for snacks, and then sleep".

"I'll crack a beer I think," added Mr Trusson.

Hair maintenance "just vibes and prayers" at Glastonbury

Hundreds of people have got in touch with the BBC with photos and stories of travelling to the festival - whether that's a train into Castle Cary, a long coach journey or by bike.

Reuters A man smiles at the camera. He wears round, white-rimmed sunglasses and a huge black, purple and white furry hat.

Apart from the expected traffic on the A361 between Glastonbury and Worthy Farm, the main travel routes to the festival have remained relatively clear throughout the day.