Godney Gathering has secured a new home near Wells after its founder revealed the festival had faced a choice between moving or calling it a day. Somerset Council approved a licence for Woodford Farm on Tuesday, 27 October, allowing the two-day event to return on 16 and 17 July 2027.

The move takes the festival to Woodford Lane, around three miles from its previous site at Garslade Farm. Founder and festival director Mike Daniells said bringing camping and entertainment together was essential to making the event financially viable.

Previously, camping had been provided independently by a local farmer. Mr Daniells told the licensing hearing: "We were at a crossroads of whether we had to cancel the event, suspend it forever, or try to find a new location."

The new licence permits one event each year on the third Friday and Saturday in July. Just under 10,000 people will be allowed on site each day, including staff, contractors, performers and volunteers.

Neither police nor the council's environmental health team objected to the application. St Cuthbert (Out) Parish Council withdrew its objection following mediation on 1 October, although concerns remained from some residents about noise, traffic and public nuisance.

None of the residents who maintained objections attended the virtual hearing to put their concerns directly to the organisers. Mr Daniells said discussions with neighbours had already resulted in changes to the camping arrangements.

He said: "We have addressed the concerns about things like the camping being too close to residents – two people were worried about that, and they came back with a proposal which made complete sense."

Councillor Marcus Kravis, who chaired the licensing sub-committee, described the festival's event management plan as "comprehensive". Following private deliberations, the committee granted the licence.

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Godney Gathering began in 2011, initially as a fundraising opportunity for carnival clubs. It subsequently expanded to two days at Garslade Farm, with past performers including The Lightning Seeds, UB40, The Darkness, Scouting for Girls, The Zutons, Feeder and The Wurzels.

After the decision, Mr Daniells thanked Woodford Farm's owners, George and Anna, alongside neighbours, supporters, schools and charities. He also reassured festivalgoers that the move would not erase the event's roots.

He said: "We might not be in Godney any more, but we're just three miles away from where we've been, and Godney will always have a very special place in the story and the beginnings of our festival. It was where we began, and that will never change."

Tickets, including camping and glamping options, are on sale through the Godney Gathering website. The full line-up is due to be announced in the coming weeks.

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