A disruption yet appreciation of nature

English countryside, what do you expect… fields of flowers, rolling hills, quaint villages and maybe a small country pub filled with Shakespeare, Queen Victoria and JK Rowling sipping tea. To appreciate the country that bought the world Brexit, fish and chips and chicken tikka masala many people turn to our beautiful landscapes.

I come from Somerset in England, it is a rural county with five different areas of protected landscapes and I live amongst them all in the Mendip Hills. The nearby town of Glastonbury is known as the centre of myths and legends, the holy grail and some people believe it is the centre of all religious sites in the world. It is near Stonehenge, a monument of great significance built around 2000 BC.

To fully appreciate the nature of the Mendip Hills and the mystery around Glastonbury, it is best to immerse yourself in nature. Maybe spend some time walking across the open plains, visit the protected nature reserves and enjoy the local wildlife. But there is no better way to appreciate nature than with 175,000 other people in the largest greenfield music festival in the world…right?

A day before the festival begins, you can see the vast Somerset countryside on the horizon.

Glastonbury Music Festival is like no other, it spans over five days and covers the area of a small city. Bands like The Rolling Stones, U2, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, The Who and even Kanye West have graced the main stages – but to me the headline acts are not important to Glastonbury Festival.

What makes it different is the connection to nature and the green world. A festival based in farm land you can see the local cows as you wake up from your tent, the Green Healing fields promote environmentally friendly living, you can create your own flower garlands or enjoy alternative past times like yoga or laughter therapy and maybe grab a locally sourced coffee and vegan cake slice.

Also Glastonbury has its own construction similar to Stonehenge called the Stone Circle, every day you will find all walks of society there: Tibetan Monks chanting, circus acts performing, people singing and everyone else all sat together watching the sunset and then the sunrise after all the partying is done.

The view across the whole festival site, all to be returned to a dairy farm in a matter of days.

Here is where I feel most connected to nature. Looking out onto the horizon of oranges and yellow glows across the county of England I call home, seeing all of society coming together sat upon the slightly damp grass, enjoying time away from technology and the wider world – a creation of a mini city intertwined with the English countryside.

I make sure every festival I can watch at least one sunset and one sunrise, it has a very stirring effect on the mind to watch the city of people below you enjoying life as much as you are. It is special and this is why thousand upon thousands return every year. Nature is the place we all call home, and what is that without loved ones, a good time and a breathtaking view.

A disruption yet appreciation of nature.