Experiencing The Stone Circle Glastonbury. It was the 40th anniversary of Glastonbury Festival. There were drummers, fire performers and a few naked people.
We had been in our spot since 01:00 a.m. even though we had perfectly good tents in the fields below. There were a few thousand of us up there on that hill. Why? Because watching the sunrise at Glasto from The Stone Circle is a Glastonbury right of passage.
Who Built The Glastonbury Stone Circle?
Some say, ancient druids. Others say that Aliens did. Or was it Michael Eavis? In reality, it was an amazing man called Ivan McBeth who created the Stone Circle at Glastonbury. We met him once at another festival called Strummerville (a festival in honour of the late, great, Joe Strummer.)
Ivan was there to talk about Stone Circles. He had built one in Joe Strummer’s garden and of course, he also mentioned the one he built at Glasto.
The Pixie Circle
Ivan has actually created two stone circles at Glastonbury. The first one, christened The Pixie Circle was created in 1990. Ivan loved this circle. He said it was one of the most powerful circles he had built. Then it was knocked down! It lasted for one and a half years before the stones were left in a ditch.
In Ivan’s own words, he said he went to see Michael Eavis with a heavy heart to complain. In typical Michael Eavis fashion, he told Ivan not to be sad. He wanted a better and bigger stone circle built.
When Was The Stone Circle At Glastonbury Built?
1992.
The Swan Circle
In 1992 Ivan created The Swan Circle. The Stone Circle we all know and love. He had 6 weeks to complete it before the opening of Glastonbury 1992. Until doing research for this post I never realised that the Glastonbury Stone Circle is inspired by the constellation Cygnus. Hence the name, Swan Circle. If you look at the stones from above they are placed in the same position as the stars in the Cygnus constellation.
The “swan” is flying towards the midsummer sunrise with the sun rising over its head. This is what I love about Glastonbury. There is love and thought done in everything that is created there. These aren’t just a bunch of stones in a field.
What Happens At The Glasto Stone Circle?
What doesn’t happen? As well as watching the sunrise, many things happen at the stone circle. It is a natural meeting place first of all. On the opening night of Glastonbury, The Kings Meadow where the stones are located (and the adjacent fields) is a great place to watch the fireworks. Druids also normally have an opening ceremony at the Stones.
We were lucky enough to watch the Dalai Lama talk just below the stones at Glastonbury 2015. We also helped create the world’s biggest peace sign here too. Don’t forget to search for some of the secret parts of Glastonbury in this area. You will be surprised by what you might find!
Or you can just come up to the stones, find a quiet place and just be. At Worthy Pastures in 2021 we had the stone circle to ourselves. It truly is a magical place. I am sure Ivan McBeth is looking down at them, thinking that his creation is doing a good job. Fly high my friend, fly high.
Can You Visit The Stone Circle?
You can only visit The Stone Circle when the festival is on because the stones are located on private land. Worthy Farm is a working dairy farm so you can’t just rock up and wander around.
Where Is The Glastonbury Stone Circle?
The Stone Circle is located in The Green Fields. Head past The Crafts Field on your left and The Healing Field on your right and you will enter the Kings Meadow field.
What is your favourite memory at The Stone Circle? Let us know in the comments below or share your memory on our social channels.
See you on the farm!
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