Couldn’t get Glastonbury tickets? Or maybe you’re one of the thousands who’ve just realised 2026 is a fallow year. Either way, you need a Plan B.

Good news – the UK has some absolutely brilliant festivals that capture that same Glastonbury magic. Some are massive multi-genre events. Others are smaller, more intimate affairs. But they all deliver that special festival feeling you’re after.

I’ve spent years exploring the festival circuit, and honestly? Sometimes the alternatives end up being even better than your original plan.

1. Isle of Wight Festival

When: June
Where: Newport, Isle of Wight

This is probably your closest match to Glastonbury’s scale and heritage. Running since 1968 (with a 30-year break, but still), it’s got proper festival pedigree.

The Isle of Wight books massive headliners. We’re talking The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Fleetwood Mac level. Around 55,000 capacity makes it big enough to feel like a proper event without being overwhelming.

Getting there requires a ferry crossing. Which actually adds to the adventure – you’re properly escaping to an island for the weekend.

Grab a campervan from Hampshire or Kent and you’re sorted for the journey down.

2. Latitude Festival

When: July
Where: Henham Park, Suffolk

If you love Glastonbury’s arts and culture side as much as the music, Latitude’s your festival.

Theatre, comedy, literature, poetry, dance – it’s all there alongside brilliant music line-ups. The setting in Henham Park is stunning. Proper English countryside with a lake, woods, and gorgeous grounds.

Latitude attracts a slightly older, often family-oriented crowd. Less muddy chaos, more civilised festival-going. Around 40,000 capacity hits that sweet spot between intimate and exciting.

Base yourself in Cambridge or Norfolk and you’re within easy reach.

3. Green Man Festival

When: August
Where: Brecon Beacons, Wales

This is hands-down one of the UK’s most beautiful festival locations.

Set in the Brecon Beacons with mountains as your backdrop, Green Man feels intimate despite hosting 25,000 people. The line-ups lean indie and alternative – less mainstream than Glastonbury but brilliant if that’s your thing.

It’s incredibly well-organised. The crowd’s friendly. Strong focus on sustainability. And it’s genuinely family-friendly with a dedicated kids’ area.

Check out South Wales campervans or the broader Wales collection.

4. Boomtown Fair

When: August
Where: Winchester, Hampshire

If you want something properly immersive and slightly bonkers, Boomtown delivers.

This isn’t just a festival – it’s a theatrical experience. The entire site’s designed as a fictional city with different districts, each with its own theme, storyline, and music style. Music spans everything from reggae and ska to drum & bass and punk.

Fair warning: it’s intense. Around 66,000 people, constant stimulation, and an atmosphere that never really stops. But if you’re up for it, it’s unforgettable.

5. Shambala Festival

When: August
Where: Northamptonshire

Shambala’s the UK’s most eco-friendly festival. Properly committed to sustainability – no single-use plastics, 100% renewable energy, vegetarian and vegan food only.

It’s also wonderfully weird. Dress-up is encouraged. The crowd’s creative and friendly. Music’s diverse but leans electronic and world music. Around 15,000 capacity keeps it feeling intimate.

Think of it as Glastonbury’s hippie younger sibling. Less commercial, more idealistic, just as fun.

6. End of the Road

When: September
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire/Dorset border

This is for the indie music lovers. Proper alternative line-ups featuring artists you’ll discover before they go mainstream.

Larmer Tree Gardens is a Victorian pleasure garden – genuinely one of the most beautiful festival sites in the UK. Small capacity (around 5,000) means it feels exclusive without being pretentious.

The crowd’s music-obsessed in the best way. Everyone’s there for the tunes. Plus it’s in September, so you often get gorgeous early autumn weather.

Dorset-based vans put you right there.

7. Kendal Calling

When: July
Where: Lowther Deer Park, Lake District

Festival in the Lake District. Need I say more?

Kendal Calling’s grown from a small local event to a proper 25,000-capacity festival. The setting is spectacular – rolling parkland with mountains in the distance. Line-ups mix big indie names with emerging talent.

It’s retained that friendly, community feel despite growing. Proper Northern hospitality. And the location means you can extend your trip into a Lake District adventure.

Pick up a campervan in Cumbria or from the Lake District area.

8. Wilderness Festival

When: August
Where: Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire

Wilderness describes itself as a “celebration of music, ideas, and nature.” That’s not marketing fluff – it’s genuinely what they deliver.

Alongside music stages, you’ve got wild swimming, spa treatments, fine dining experiences, and talks. It attracts a slightly older, more affluent crowd. Think Glastonbury but make it boutique.

Around 10,000 capacity. Beautiful Oxfordshire setting. It’s expensive, but if you want a more comfortable festival experience, this is it.

9. TRNSMT Festival

When: July
Where: Glasgow Green, Scotland

Scotland’s biggest music festival. Urban location right in Glasgow, but on proper parkland with the city as backdrop.

TRNSMT books massive headliners – recent years have featured The Strokes, Liam Gallagher, Lewis Capaldi. Around 50,000 daily capacity. Brilliant atmosphere with a properly Scottish crowd.

Plus you’re in Glasgow, which is a fantastic city to explore before or after the festival. Base yourself with a Glasgow campervan or explore wider Scotland.

10. Download Festival

When: June
Where: Donington Park, Leicestershire

Okay, this is completely different from Glastonbury musically. But hear me out.

If you’re a rock or metal fan, Download is your Glastonbury. Same scale (around 90,000 capacity), same multi-day camping experience, same sense of community. The crowd’s incredibly friendly despite all the leather and tattoos.

Download’s been running since 2003 and has become a pilgrimage for rock fans. Massive headliners, brilliant atmosphere, and that same “escape from reality” feeling.

11. Beautiful Days

When: August
Where: Ottery St Mary, Devon

Started by The Levellers, Beautiful Days is a proper family-friendly festival with heart.

Set in Devon countryside, it’s got that classic British festival vibe. Around 17,000 capacity keeps it manageable. Line-ups mix folk, rock, reggae, and indie. The crowd spans generations – grandparents to toddlers.

It’s reliably well-organised and has a lovely community atmosphere. Perfect if you want something more chilled than the massive festivals.

Devon campervans are ideal for exploring the area too.

12. Bestival

When: June
Where: Lulworth Estate, Dorset

Bestival’s known for its fancy dress themes and party atmosphere. Every year has a different theme – past ones included Summer of Love, Desert Island Disco, and HMS Bestival.

Around 30,000 capacity. Eclectic line-ups spanning pop, indie, dance, and electronic. It’s colourful, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Great for groups who want to dress up and have a proper weekend blow-out.

Planning Your Festival Adventure

Right, so you’ve picked your alternative. Now what?

Get a festival-friendly campervan. Seriously transforms the experience. Proper bed, somewhere to store your stuff, shelter when it rains.

Book early. These festivals sell out. Don’t wait until last minute.

Make a weekend of it. With a campervan, you can explore the surrounding area. Browse the full collection to find something that suits your plans.

Consider the extras. Need pet-friendly options? Want something off-grid capable? There are small campervans, luxury options, even electric campervans available.

The Bottom Line

Missing out on Glastonbury tickets (or dealing with a fallow year) isn’t the end of the world. The UK festival scene is absolutely brilliant, and alternatives to Glastonbury can be just as magical – sometimes even better.

Whether you want massive mainstream festivals or intimate alternative gatherings, there’s something that’ll scratch that festival itch. Grab yourself a campervan, pick your festival, and create some brilliant memories.

Start browsing campervans near you and start planning your 2026 festival season now.