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Glastonbury Attractions
Glastonbury Abbey
The Abbey Gatehouse, Magdalene St. Glastonbury, Somerset BA6 9EL,UK.
Tel/Fax:01458 832267
The Abbey is set in 37 acres of beautifully peaceful parkland in the centre of the ancient market town of Glastonbury. It is traditionally the first Christian sanctuary in Great Britain, visited, so legend has it, by Joseph of Arimathea and Saints David & Patrick. Many believe that the Holy Thorn tree that can be seen in the grounds originated from Joseph of Arimathea's staff and others are convinced that King Arthur was buried in the Abbey beside his lovely wife Queen Guinevere. Whatever one believes the facts are that the ruins are unique, the grounds provide a spot of peace and tranquility in an otherwise hectic world, and if the weather is poor there is the new Visitor's Centre with award winning Museum which includes a model of the Abbey as it might have looked in 1539, together with a display of the Town, a children's Display and the magnificent 16th century Othery Cope.
Chalice Well & Gardens
The Chalice Well, Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 8DD
Tel: 01458 831154 / Fax: 01458 835528
Here you will find a place of beauty, peace, and healing. Spiritual Pilgrims of all kinds have come to this special place from time immemorial. A quiet visit to the Well is essential for all who come to explore the mysteries and ancient lore of the Isle of Avalon. Come, find calm and sit beside the waters of peace. Welcome to the garden and to Chalice Well. May you find what you seek here. There are The garden has many secluded corners, beautiful and tranquil at all seasons. Some are enclosed, others have open views to the Tor and Somerset levels.
Footpaths
Glastonbury is blessed with a wealth of well maintained and marked public footpaths allowing most of these sites to be reached on foot. Glastonbury Tor is surrounded by a network of ancient lanes including Stonedown Lane, one of the oldest in Glastonbury, all of which are open to walkers. There are magnificent views across to Wells, the Mendips and the Blackdown Hills. Glastonbury Abbey has forty acres of beautifully tended grounds, with two duck ponds, an orchard and a lovely circular walk and Chalice Well welcomes visitors to its peaceful gardens.
Millennium Trail
If the thought of walking around the Tor is too much, why not try our Glastonbury Millennium Trail. At your feet your find a series of town trail markers set into the pavement. This circular walking trail will help you to explore more about our town and learn about its fascinating history. A series of information panels help you to discover more about Glastonbury and its architectural heritage - from the Pump House built in 1752 to cater for the thousands of visitors who flocked to drink the Chalice well water to St. John's Church Tower, built in the late 1400s (look for the bagpiper near the top). Discover 'Gropecuntlene' - once named on medieval deeds as a short cut to St. Benedicts Church, find out which pub was originally the home of Glastonbury surgeons for over 250 years or seek out the butts area where the medieval longbow men practised their archery.
The Glastonbury Story
11/12 St Johns Square, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9LJ
01458 831666
The Glastonbury Story is an innovative modern exhibition, telling the story of Glastonbury. For centuries Glastonbury has fascinated artists, travellers and poets alike. It's been a place of pilgrimage for thousands of years. Now you can step into another dimension in an exciting exhibition spanning time itself.
Gog & Magog
In the immediate environs of Glastonbury there are other places which are held to be sacred sites; these include the two ancient oaks of Gog and Magog, believed to be the last remains of a Druidical avenue leading up to the Tor. The Glastonbury Conservation Society has recently replanted a line of oak trees to commemorate this ancient tradition.
St. Benedict's Church
Originally dedicated to St. Benignus, an Irish Saint who died at Meare 470 A.D. and whose remains were transferred to the Abbey in 1091 when then first church was built on the site. Built by Abbot Bere circa 1500 the present building is of Perpendicular design with the south Aisle added in 1896. The porch contains an interesting arched altar recess and small window facing the Abbey Gatehouse. Also has a fine set of roof corbels.
St. John's Church
Of the original church on this site little is known. However, recent excavations in the chancel, together with others in the nineteenth century in the nave, revealed early foundations. The excavations indicate a large central tower that possibly dated from Dunstan's abbacy, c. 950, and a later Norman nave arcade on the same plan as the existing one. A central tower survived until the fifteenth century. The Church of the blessed Saint John the Baptist of Northbinne, as it is called in the early charters, was one of the seven local churches over which, from Saxon times, the Abbey of Glastonbury had claimed complete ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
This led to disputes with the Bishop of Wells, and in 1170 these churches became a special Archdeaconry with the Abbot as Archdeacon. About this time, when a Master Alvred was the incumbent, there were attempts by the Abbey to appropriate the revenues of the church. This finally happened on the resignation of Ralph the Chaplain in 1203 and the Sacrist of the Abbey was then to appoint the future vicars and to pay them a stipend. This was confirmed in 1225 by Pope Honorius III, when it was stated that the revenues were appropriated to help the Abbey's building fund. (The Abbey had been burnt down in 1184). The parishioners also had to pay rent of 6s. 9d. to the Abbey.
Town Hall
Magdalene Street
Glastonbury
01458-831769
Although a charter was granted to the town in 1705, following a petition citing the lack of local justice which stated "whereof the morall of the inhabitants are corrupt, and cavill and breach of the peace are frequent", it was not until 1813 when an order was placed with a Mr.Beard of Somerton to draw up plans for a Town Hall.
The early Corporation, composed of capital and inferior burgesses, held meetings in the market house which, because of its poor condition made change inevitable. After years of discussion a Mr.Down offered a piece of ground next to the gateway beside the Red Lion one which to build a new market hall on the ground floor and a Town Hall above.
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