Over 50 years at Glastonbury Festival with the Cider Bus

Alice Temperley MBE has grown up in the idyllic Somerset so it is no wonder that the world famous Glastonbury Festival is a perennial feature in the Temperley London calendar, Alice shares her fond memories and tips for the Somerset festival.

Basking in mass revelry and embracing a sense of freedom — there’s nothing on the planet like Glastonbury Festival.

Set in 900 acres in the Vale of Avalon, 2024 marks over 50 years — and the Temperley family has been there for every single one.

A Glastonbury institution, described by The Guardian as ‘almost as iconic as the pyramid itself’, the Somerset Cider Bus is the home of the Temperley clan for the four day festival.

‘My parent’s first bar at Glastonbury was a horse and wagon. We slept in the back while the adults were serving the festival-goers,’ remembers Alice.

'When I was little, there were naked people, a lot of horses and wagons, loud tents and illicit trading at every gate. People used to party all night, all over the site and it was wild. Things are much tamer nowadays due to the site being fenced and late night sound systems being banned for most areas. Some of my stories are hilarious, including the loos — drowning in some, Peeping Toms with mirrors and so many I can’t share….. It’s a festival about freedom and liberation, and I have seen my fair share of it all.’

Alice Temperley MBE

Alice has been to over 40 Glastonbury Festivals (so that’s about 200 days spent on the Worthy Farm site). How times have changed for the bar-come-bus too. For the upcoming festival, 70 people will work on the family bus and the Temperley family is now into their third generation serving the Somerset cider at the bar.

Nowadays the horse and wagon has been updated to a full size bus but the Temperley dynasty and the bar has garnered attention and a loyal fan base. And as with updates so has festival style seen an overhaul.

‘Comfort number one, layers and Glastonbury-appropriate footwear for mud, dancing and what sometimes feels like walking for miles. Ponchos or blanket shawls to sit on are always great and a small cross body bag for all my essentials. To be hands-free is a must! You can always pick up some vintage clothes from the stalls, so you don’t have to pack too much.’

Alice Temperley MBE