Glastonbury is a Town in the county of Somerset.
Glastonbury is a town in Somerset, England. Full of history and mystery the town has several prominent landmarks from the enigmatic Glastonbury Tor with its ruined tower to the ruins of the historic Glastonbury Abbey - once the most influential in Britain.
In the 12th Century the Abbey claimed to have unearthed the resting place of King Arthur, the legendary ‘Once and Future King’; together with Guinevere his queen. Almost certainly a cash-grab aimed at placing the Abbey on the pilgramages map which seems to have worked, making the Abbey extremely rich at the time.
The Glastonbury Festival
Known worldwide for its annual Glastonbury Festival, which takes place on Worthy Farm near the town. Said to be the biggest music festical on the planet, the Glastonbury Festival features musical performances from the biggest names in the industry, comedy, theatre, and other arts. It also includes a variety of stalls and attractions.
Prior to the festival, Glastonbury is a popular destination for those looking to explore its quaint town center, which features charming shops and restaurants. Whether you’re attending the festival or simply exploring on your own, Glastonbury is an unforgettable experience that is sure to delight all who visit.
New Age Glastonbury
By luck or virtue, the town of Glastonbury has become the market place for the UKs New Age community and many of the shops and restaurants are themed. Whether this goes back to the Abbey with their Arthurian connection or to the influx of rock stars in the 60s and 70s it’s difficult to tell.
Beyond the New Age tourist facade there are many myths and legends attached to the local historic and prehistoric sites that are of interest to the mystic and archaeologist alike.
The Glastonbury Zodiac
One of surprisingly many worldwide, supposed layout of landscape features that are said to form shapes representing the signs of the astrological zodiac.
Just like looking for constellations in the sky, a degree of imagination is required to mediate between what is seen and the familiar line drawings of figures and animals. However, there are a few startling coincidences or synchronicities if you prefer, such as the hamlet of Babcary positioned about where you might expect on the figure of Virgo.
The Chalice Well
A possibly ancient spring that is still ‘dressed’ in the Pagan tradition. But, its name is said to indicate it is the resting place of the Holy Grail or chalice and that is was brought here in biblical times by Joseph of Arimathea while on a trading voyage. Altogether now, ‘and did those feeeeeet…’.
It is true to say there is evidence of trade of goods and materials across such distances historically.
Glastonbury Tor
An enigmatic hill that has been manually shaped in some prehistoric time. Unlike a hillfort the spiral ridges that encircle the hill do not seem to provide a viable defensive structure. It has been reckoned to be a processional route with mutterings of ‘ritual’. Or by others as the embrace of the great dragon.
There are great places to visit near Glastonbury including some great cities, historic buildings, towns, ancient sites, hills, ruins, historic monuments, lakes, villages, airports, beaches, islands, rivers and streams, hiking areas and caves.
Bath, and Wells are great places to visit near Glastonbury if you like cities.
Don't miss Beckford's Tower, Tropicana, Grand Pier (Weston-super-Mare), and Wells Cathedral's historic buildings if visiting the area around Glastonbury.
The area around Glastonbury boasts some of the best towns including Glastonbury, Langport, Bridgwater, and Weston-super-Mare.
Glastonbury's best nearby ancient sites can be found at Glastonbury Tor, and Chalice Well.
The area close to Glastonbury boasts some of the best hills including Glastonbury Tor.
Ruins to visit near Glastonbury include Glastonbury Abbey.
Historic Monuments to visit near Glastonbury include Chalice Well, and Cheddar Market Cross.
Glastonbury has some unmissable lakes nearby like Cellophane Ponds, and Marine Lake - Weston-super-mare.
Glastonbury has some unmissable villages nearby like Withycombe, Uphill, Cheddar, and Wookey Hole.
There are a number of airports near to Glastonbury including Bristol Airport.
Weston-super-Mare Beach is one of Glastonbury's best, nearby beaches to visit in Glastonbury.
There are a several good islands in the area around Glastonbury like Knightstone Island.
The area around Glastonbury's best rivers and streams can be found at River Axe.
Places near Glastonbury feature a number of interesting hiking areas including Cheddar Gorge.
The area around Glastonbury boasts some of the best caves including Cheddar Gorge, and Wookey Hole Caves.
Glastonbury History
There are some historic monuments around Glastonbury:
Places to see near Glastonbury
History of Glastonbury
Glastonbury Lake Village was an Iron Age village, close to the old course of the River Brue, on the Somerset Levels near Godney, some 3 miles (5Â km) north west of Glastonbury. It covers an area of 400 feet (120Â m) north to south by 300 feet (90Â m) east to west, and housed around 100 people in five to seven groups of houses, each for an extended family, with sheds and barns, made of hazel and willow covered with reeds, and surrounded either permanently or at certain times by a wooden palisade. The village was built in about 300Â BC and occupied into the early Roman period (around 100Â AD) when it was abandoned, possibly due to a rise in the water level. It was built on a morass on an artificial foundation of timber filled with brushwood, bracken, rubble and clay.
Lakes near Glastonbury
Rivers near Glastonbury
Shopping in Glastonbury
The Gauntlet High Street, Glastonbury
The Gauntlet mall
Morrisons Street Road, Glastonbury
Morrisons supermarket
The Co-operative Food 32-34, High Street
The Co-operative Food supermarket
Tesco Wirral Park Road, Glastonbury
Tesco supermarket
ALDI Beckery New Road, Glastonbury
ALDI supermarket
