Glastonbury

Contents
1. Introduction 2. Interesting Facts 3. History 4. Main Sights 5. Top Museums 6. Local Cuisine 7. Getting There

Introduction

Filled with legends and myths, Glastonbury (pop. 8,800) is a popular destination with both Christian and pagan New Age aficionados. Glastonbury is said to be home to the Holy Grail and the centre of the mystical land of Avalon, where King Arthur is buried. The compact market town is best known for the evocative ruins of Glastonbury Abbey, the prominent hill of Glastonbury Tor topped by St Michael’s Tower, and its proximity to Worthy Farm in Pilton, the venue of the annual Glastonbury Festival. Glastonbury makes a useful base for exploring the Somerset Levels, Cheddar Gorge and the Avalon Marshes nature reserves, all within a short drive.

Interesting Facts about Glastonbury

• The first Glastonbury Festival was held in 1970, the day after rock legend Jimi Hendrix died, and was originally called "The Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival".
• Entry to the inaugural festival cost just £1 and included free camping and free milk from the dairy farm.
• The iconic Pyramid Stage was modelled on the Pyramid of Giza at one-tenth scale and is positioned precisely on the ley line that connects Glastonbury Abbey and Stonehenge.
• Sir Paul McCartney made history in 2022 by becoming the oldest solo headliner at age 80, whilst Billie Eilish became the youngest headliner in the same year.
• The festival site covers a massive 1,100 acres—equivalent to 500 football pitches—with an 8-mile-long perimeter fence.
• In 1984, Glastonbury Festival set a Guinness World Record when 826 people juggled simultaneously, keeping 2,478 objects in the air at once.
• There's a secret stage called The Underground Piano Bar that appears on no festival maps and can only be found by those in the know.
• Glastonbury is considered the cradle of Christianity in England, with legend claiming that Joseph of Arimathea brought Christianity here in 37 CE.
• The mystical Glastonbury Thorn flowers twice yearly—once in spring and again around Christmas—and a sprig is traditionally sent to the Queen each year.
• Glastonbury Tor features ancient terracing that may form a 5,000-year-old labyrinthine maze, created around the same time as Stonehenge.
• The town sits on what was once called "Ynys-witrin" (the Island of Glass), a vast lake that dried up, leaving Glastonbury surrounded by the Somerset Levels.
• At its peak, Glastonbury Abbey was England's most powerful and wealthy religious institution, and by 1500, monasteries owned a quarter of all English land.
• The festival has welcomed diverse performers including The English National Ballet, the Dalai Lama, and even The Wombles over the years.
• Glastonbury has been described as the birthplace of New Age beliefs, with communities of spiritual seekers establishing themselves in the town at the turn of the twentieth century.
• The wettest Glastonbury Festival on record occurred in 2007 when 60.1mm of rain fell in a single day.

History

Ancient Origins and Early Christian Heritage

Glastonbury's remarkable history stretches back millennia, with archaeological evidence revealing human settlement dating to the Mesolithic period, some 10,000 years ago. In ancient times, the Somerset Levels were flooded marshlands, making Glastonbury Tor a prominent island rising 158 metres above the surrounding waters. The Celts revered this mystical site as Ynys Witrin, meaning the "Isle of Glass," and considered it a gateway to the underworld. Christian legend claims that Joseph of Arimathea established the first church here in 63 CE, allegedly bringing the young Jesus to this sacred site. Whilst this remains legend, the earliest historical evidence of a monastery comes from Saxon charters of the late 7th century. King Ine of Wessex officially founded the English monastery around 705-712 CE, with Beorwald as its first abbot.

Medieval Prosperity and Arthurian Legend

Under Saxon rule, Glastonbury Abbey flourished to become one of England's most powerful religious institutions. By the time of the 1086 Domesday Book, it had become the wealthiest monastery in the country, with lands spanning five counties. The abbey reached new heights under Abbot Dunstan in the 10th century, who significantly expanded the complex and secured royal patronage. Saxon kings Edmund and Edgar were buried within its hallowed grounds. Disaster struck in 1184 when a devastating fire destroyed much of the original Saxon church, but rebuilding commenced immediately, with the new Great Church consecrated in 1213. During this period, the abbey became forever linked with Arthurian legend when monks claimed to have discovered the tomb of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere in the 12th century, cementing Glastonbury's reputation as the mystical Isle of Avalon.

Dissolution and Modern Revival

The abbey's golden age came to a brutal end during Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. The last abbot, 80-year-old Richard Whiting, refused to surrender the abbey and was arrested on fabricated treason charges. On 15th November 1539, Whiting and two fellow monks were dragged through Glastonbury's streets and executed atop the Tor in the barbaric manner of being hanged, drawn and quartered. Following dissolution, the magnificent abbey was systematically dismantled, its stones used for local buildings and roads. The ruins remained largely abandoned until the National Trust acquired Glastonbury Tor in 1937. Today, only the 14th-century St. Michael's Tower remains atop the Tor, whilst the abbey ruins attract visitors fascinated by both their historical significance and enduring legends. The town has experienced a modern renaissance as a centre for New Age spirituality and is globally famous for its annual music festival, which began in 1970.

Main Attractions

The Holy Grail

It is said that Joseph of Arimathea, a rich Judean merchant associated to Mary, visited Britain a few years after Christ's death. The story has it that he took the Holy Grail (the chalice of the Last Supper containing Jesus's blood, and said to give eternal life to the person who drinks from it) with him and left at Glastonbury.

The legend also says that Joseph had already visited Glastonbury earlier with Jesus as a child. It is in belief to this legend that British poet William Blake wrote in 1804 his 'Glastonbury Hymn', more famously known as 'Jerusalem', that has later become one of Britain' most patriotic hymn (the music was composed by Hubert Parry in 1916).

Joseph would have started the conversion of Britain in the 1st century and founded the country's first church in Glastonbury then.

Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Abbey is said to have been founded in 63 CE, and calls itself, the oldest above-the-ground church in the world. There is no archeological evidence of ant building prior to the 5th to 7th century though. Ine, King of Wessex, ordered a stone church to be built there in 712.

The abbey church was plundered by Danish Vikings in the 9th century, then reach its zenith in the 10th century. It was destroyed by fire in 1184. In 1191, a priest claimed to have found the remains of Arthur and Guivenere and their bones were place in a High Altar in a new church in 1278. More pilgrims flocked and in the 14th century Glastonbury Abbey was only surpassed in wealth by Westminster Abbey.

Henry VIII ordered the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 and Stephen Whiting, the last abbot of Glastonbury, was hanged three years later for resisting the dissolution.

The ruins of the 12th century abbey can still be visited, the prime attraction being the tomb of King Arthur and his wife.

Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is a natural (not man-made) 160m-high conical hill. The word "tor" comes from Celtic language to describe such a hill. On top of the hill stands the roofless St Michael's Tower, the only remains of a medieval church.

The Tor is associated with Gwyn ap Nudd, who is Celtic mythology was first Lord of the Underworld, and later King of the Fairies.

The hill was believed to be a gate to to Annwn or Avalon, the land of the fairies, or the land of souls that had departed this world.

St Margaret’s Chapel & Magdalene Almshouses

St Margaret's Chapel and the Magdalene Almshouses are a well-preserved complex of historic buildings dating back to the 15th century. Originally founded as part of a hospital for the poor, the site provided refuge and care, with the small chapel serving its residents. Now restored and managed by a charitable trust, the chapel and its surrounding peaceful gardens are open to the public for quiet reflection. The almshouses themselves, which are still in use as private residences, offer a tangible link to Glastonbury's medieval social history.

Chalice Well

To add to the supernatural atmosphere of Glastonbury, it is said that the iron-rich, reddish waters of Chalice Well have healing properties. The sprng has been flowing for million of years. It was already used by prehistoric Celtic tribes and is one of the oldest continuously used holy wells in Britain.

White Spring Well & Temple

Situated opposite the Chalice Well gardens, the White Spring Well and Temple is housed within a Victorian stone well house built by the local water board. Inside, the atmosphere is cavernous and candle-lit, with the spring water flowing through a series of pools in the dark. The water here is rich in calcite, giving it a white appearance and its name. The space is maintained by volunteers as a non-denominational temple, open to visitors seeking a quiet and contemplative environment for reflection or spiritual observance.

Wearyall Hill

Wearyall Hill is a low ridge located to the southwest of the town, primarily known for its central role in the legend of Joseph of Arimathea. According to tradition, this is the spot where Joseph first arrived in Glastonbury and planted his staff in the ground, which miraculously took root and grew into the original Glastonbury Thorn. This specific type of hawthorn was notable for flowering twice a-year. While the historic tree on the hill itself no longer stands, the site remains a place of pilgrimage and offers clear views back towards Glastonbury Tor.

Glastonbury High Street & Market

Glastonbury's High Street serves as the town's primary commercial centre and is notable for its high proportion of independent retailers. The street is lined with a unique collection of shops catering to alternative spiritualities and lifestyles, offering goods such as crystals, esoteric books, incense, and artisan crafts. Alongside these are numerous wholefood cafes, vegetarian eateries, and traditional pubs. The street's distinctive character is central to the modern Glastonbury experience, and it also hosts a weekly market where local producers and traders sell a variety of goods.

Glastonbury Festival

Held 3 days in June each year since the 1970's, Glastonbury Festival has evolved from a hippy gathering to a big-scale music festival featuring everything from world music, jazz, pop, rock and non-musical activities such as theatre. This world-renowned five-day festival of contemporary performing arts takes place on Worthy Farm in the nearby village of Pilton. Typically held in the last week of June, it is one of the largest greenfield music and arts festivals globally. While best known for its line-up of major contemporary musical acts, the festival also features a vast programme of dance, comedy, theatre, and circus acts across numerous stages. Although it is a ticketed event that does not take place every year, its presence has a significant cultural and economic impact on the town and the surrounding region.

Top Museums

Glastonbury Abbey Museum

Situated within the visitor centre of Glastonbury Abbey, this museum hosts an impressive collection of artefacts from the abbey’s historic site. Highlights include a magnificent 16th-century Othery Cope and a spectacular model showing how the abbey might have appeared in 1539, offering visitors a vivid sense of its former grandeur.

The museum’s collections consist chiefly of archaeological materials excavated since 1908. Among these are nationally significant items revealing the earliest Saxon glass production, exquisite Romanesque and Early English sculptures, and a broad range of monastic artefacts that map the religious and cultural life of the abbey.

Additionally, the museum presents its artefacts in a way that connects deeply with the site’s spiritual and legendary associations—most notably its ties to King Arthur and early Christian foundations, making it a must-visit for those interested in medieval history and myth.

Somerset Rural Life Museum

Recently established on the site of the former Abbey Farm just below Glastonbury Tor, this museum offers a comprehensive exploration of rural life in Somerset from the 1800s onward. The museum features a series of galleries housed in the farmhouse and farm buildings, where visitors can discover domestic and agricultural trades, food production, and farming heritage.

One of the gems of the site is the magnificent 14th-century Abbey Barn, considered one of the finest medieval buildings in the West Country. Its limestone walls and intricate roof structure remain a captivating sight and serve as the centrepiece of the museum complex.

Family-friendly exhibitions and outdoor spaces, including a farmyard, orchard, and interactive trails, make this museum especially engaging for visitors of all ages. The museum also regularly hosts craft workshops, seasonal events, and demonstrations reflective of traditional rural customs.

Glastonbury Tribunal and Lake Village Museum

Located in a striking late 15th-century stone merchant’s house on Glastonbury’s High Street, the Glastonbury Tribunal museum brings to life the history of the town and its inhabitants. It is particularly famous for housing the Glastonbury Lake Village collection, which offers a unique insight into everyday life in an Iron Age settlement amid the Somerset wetlands.

The museum’s displays showcase archaeological finds and artefacts that highlight local life, industry, and environment from prehistoric times through the medieval era. It provides a distinctive perspective on the region’s long-term human habitation and changing landscapes.

Local Cuisine

Glastonbury's restaurants and cafés proudly showcase local ingredients, with establishments like Queen of Cups serving West Country produce enhanced by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours. Traditional offerings include hearty Sunday roasts featuring locally sourced beef and lamb, whilst the town's famous fish and chip shops, particularly Knights Fish Restaurant (established in 1909), serve up homemade fish cakes prepared fresh daily. Glastonbury's vibrant vegetarian and vegan scene is equally impressive, with many establishments offering spicy bean burgers and vegetable pasties alongside artisan Somerset cheeses and locally brewed ciders. The town's eclectic dining landscape ranges from cosy tea rooms serving homemade cakes and jacket potatoes to modern eateries featuring balti curries and wood-fired pizzas, ensuring that both traditionalists and adventurous food lovers will find something to satisfy their appetites.

Getting There & Around

Glastonbury lies 45km southwest of Bristol and 10km south of Wells between the Mendips and the Quantocks hills.

By train, travellers should head to Castle Cary station, which is the closest railway station to Glastonbury. From Castle Cary, free shuttle buses operate to transport passengers the final seven miles to the festival site at Worthy Farm. Direct trains run regularly from London Paddington, whilst other major cities including Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol connect via simple changes.

By coach, National Express operates services from over 90 locations across the UK, dropping passengers directly at the festival's on-site coach station within 100 metres of the gates. Journey times vary by departure point, with coaches from London Victoria taking approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

By car, the main routes include the M3 to A303 to A37 from London and the Southeast, M6 or M5 to A39 to A361 from the North West and Wales, and M40 or A34 to A303 to A37 from the Midlands. The distance from London is approximately 120 miles, and ample parking is available on-site.