Glastonbury
Glastonbury
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.
Created: 1 May 2022 Edited: 29 November 2023
Glastonbury Tor Information
Glastonbury Tor Address
Glastonbury Tor, Glastonbury BA6 8BG, UK
BA6 8BG
Glastonbury Abbey Information
Glastonbury Abbey Address
Magdalene St, Glastonbury BA6 9EL, UK
BA6 9EL
Website: http://www.glastonburyabbey.com/
Get directionsShopping in Glastonbury
The Gauntlet High Street, Glastonbury
The Gauntlet mall
ALDI Beckery New Road, Glastonbury
ALDI supermarket
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
Local History around Glastonbury
There are some historic monuments around including:
Medieval farmstead, E of Butleigh WoodDuck decoy, 950m south west of junction of Westhay Moor Drove and Lewis's DroveDuck decoy, 590m south west of Rice FarmRoman villa NW of Two Acre PlantationThe TribunalThe easternmost of three duck decoys on Walton MoorThe Abbot's Fish House and fishpondsBeckery Chapel and cemetery (site of)Part of the Hospital of St Mary Magdalene, Magdalene StreetFenny Castle Cross: a medieval wayside cross 20m north west of Castle Farm, CastleThe Abbey Barn at Abbey FarmCentral of three duck decoys on Walton Moor, south of Lord Bath's DroveDuck decoy in Sharpham Park, 600m south west of Avalon FarmPonter's Ball linear earthworkDuck decoy 1km south east of Manor FarmFenny Castle: a motte and bailey castleEarly Christian settlement and monastic site at Marchey FarmTinney's trackways, west of Sharpham BridgeLinear earthwork in Butleigh WoodSection of medieval road, south of Pomparles Bridge, north of StreetCompton Dundon hillfort with Dundon Beacon, east of DundonGlastonbury lake villageBishop's palaceSt Michael's Church, monastic remains, and other settlement remains on Glastonbury TorGlastonbury Abbey.Wildlife in and Around Glastonbury
Mammals found in Glastonbury
There have been 29 species of mammals recorded in the glastonbury area.
| 55 Khz Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) |
| Badger (Meles meles) |
| Bechstein's Bat (Myotis bechsteinii) |
| Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) |
| Common Shrew (Sorex araneus) |
| American Mink (Neovison vison) |
| Barbastelle (Barbastella barbastellus) |
| Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus) |
| Common Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) |
| Domestic Cat (Felis catus) |
Tap here for more mammals found in and around Glastonbury
Birds found in Glastonbury
There have been 50 species of birds recorded in the glastonbury area.
| Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) |
| Buzzard (Buteo buteo) |
| Carolina Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) |
| Cetti's Warbler (Cettia cetti) |
| Common Swift (Apus apus) |
| Black-Headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) |
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) |
| Carrion Crow (Corvus corone) |
| Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) |
| Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) |
