Somerset Levels gets green light to host fairy festival

The three-day festival has been held at Mount Edgecumbe House in Cornwall for nearly two decades.

Permission has been granted for a three-day fairy festival on the Somerset Levels next summer.

The Three Wishes Fairy Festival will take place at Garslade Farm near Glastonbury from 16 to 18 August.

Somerset Council has given the festival its blessing despite objections from residents concerned about the impact it will have on village life.

Organiser Karen Kay, a self-proclaimed fairy whisperer, said: "I know fairies and humans alike will love this site."

The three-day festival, which includes live music, workshops and "family-friendly fun", has been held at Mount Edgecumbe House in Cornwall for nearly two decades.

The new licence allows up to 5,000 festival goers to be on site at any one time although only 1,500 are expected for the first year.

Neither Avon and Somerset Police or the council's environmental protection team objected to the licence according the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But Mark Churches, owner of the Glastonbury Wedding and Events venue, said it "looks like this has been predetermined".

"They are already advertising the festival with tickets on sale," he said.

"To pounce this upon those couples who have booked weddings that they have a festival on the same postcode in the same village is quite annoying for those people."

In 2018, more than 500 people gathered at the festival to set the first world record for the largest crowd wearing unicorn horns

Despite the objections, a licence to sell alcohol throughout the event and permit live music until the late evening was granted.

Mrs Kay, said she was "thrilled with the result" and "overjoyed" to be bringing the festival to the new location after 17 years in the south west.

"With magical views of Glastonbury Tor, it is perfect, and I know the fairies and humans alike will love this site," she said.

"I've been hosting fairy weekends in Glastonbury since 2009 and the atmosphere is always friendly and also brings a boost to businesses in the area.

"We are all very excited for 2024. It would be wonderful to see the local community get behind this exciting move."