Why a day trip to Glastonbury?
The idea for a day trip to Glastonbury starts with an off-hand comment by our friend. “Have you been to Glastonbury? You can be anyone or anything you want there; no one will even notice. Visit the Abbey ruins then walk up the Glastonbury Tor.”
Our puzzled look is obvious. “Walk up to what?” He nods towards a small watercolor on the wall which depicts a modest hill in an otherwise flat landscape with a tall narrow building at the top. We hadn’t noticed before, but it is a painting of the view outside our window, off in the distance. There it is, a hill with a tower-like building on top. That is what prompted our day trip to Glastonbury from Wells.
A day trip to Glastonbury by bus.
Just 6 miles from Wells, it’s an easy ride to Glastonbury by bus. If you’re coming from Bath it is only 26 miles. Please check our prior post, “Wells, Somerset Without A Car” for public transport information from Bristol Airport or Temple Mead train station to Wells or Bath.
We opt for the Mendip Explorer, the bus which runs from Bristol to Wells, then continues onto Glastonbury. It’s an easy 16-minute bus ride from the Wells Bus Station to the top of High Street in Glastonbury, the start of the shopping area. We don’t want to miss that! Off we go, “window shopping” our way down High to the Square.
Day tripping in the Glastonbury shops.
If you love Sedona in Arizona, you’ll love Glastonbury too. “New Age” is the general theme as we pass store after store offering crystals, pendulums, skulls, goddess statues, new age books, incense, sage, handcrafted crystal jewelry, meditation groups, soul therapy – the list is endless. Colorful, playful clothing is found everywhere. Brightly painted buildings add to the eclectic vibe.
Restaurants of Glastonbury.
What is a day trip to Glastonbury without a lunch, too? Bypassing several restaurants on High Street, we arrive at the Square. Here, coffee shops, bakeries, and eateries are on every corner and in between, most of which offer gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan menus options with organic coffee. They all look good! Our choices include the Winking Turtle Cafe, Gigi’s, Heapys, Tin Pot Pastry Company, Lazy Gecko Cafe, Mocha Berry Cafe and the Abbey Tea Room, to name just a few.
Heapys it is! Perfectly brewed cappuccinos and mochas arrive at our table, followed by a delicious sandwich. It’s a cute little cafe, the staff is friendly and the people watching superb!
Our friend is right, everyone fits right in and no one gets a second look. Multi-colored genie pants, violet coat and tails, tall hats, strangely knit head covering – clothing choices run the gamut. Green, orange and violet striped hair, one side shaved, the other side long, dreads, and other “looks” are plentiful. My purple hair with blonde fringe and Jack’s brown cowboy hat don’t warrant a second glance. Are you a conservative dresser? Don’t worry! The overall feeling is one of inclusion and harmony. People watching paradise!
A short walk to Glastonbury Abbey.
Any trip to Glastonbury must include the Glastonbury Abbey which is a short distance down from the Square on the left-hand side of Magdelene Street, just before the Town Council building. If you miss the entrance, the Abbey ruins are obvious from the sidewalk, which is just amazing to us! To have such incredible ruins in the middle of your town is something we’ve seen throughout the UK and other parts of Europe, yet we are still blown away every time. Remember, our history is so much younger!
Open at 10:00, the Abbey closes at 16:00, 18:00 or 20:00 depending on the month. Admission is only £11.00 for adults or £9.90 for students and those over 60. Here is the Glastonbury Abbey website with tons of information.
A visit to the Glastonbury Abbey
The size is immense, even by today’s standard. Maybe it’s just the presence and air of importance that still surrounds the Abbey that makes it feel that way. But yes! Sitting majestically on 36 impeccably maintained and peaceful acres, Glastonbury Abbey was once the richest and most powerful monastery in England! Even though only ruins remain, the feeling this Abbey must have commanded so many years ago is clearly, still there.
A (very) brief Glastonbury Abbey history.
Founded in the 7th century, Glastonbury Abbey was enlarged in the 11th century, ultimately becoming the most powerful Abbey in the Country. Unfortunately, most everything was lost in a fire in 1184.
It was subsequently rebuilt but now had to compete with the newer Westminister Abbey. In the 1190s, the Monks claimed to have found the graves of King Arthur and Guinevere, which they relocated onto the grounds of the Abbey’s new church. Some historians believe this was basically a “marketing ploy” to increase the position and importance of the Abbey as it now had something Westminister did not. By the 14th century, the Glastonbury Abbey was once again one of the wealthiest monasteries around, right behind Westminister.
Walking through the Abbey grounds.
Our visit is exceptionally interactive. Visitors are free to wander in, through and around the Abbey ruins. It is a spiritual, awe-inspiring experience – living history from so many centuries ago!
Entering the Abbot’s Kitchen, we wonder if lunch is about to be served The facility is set up with pigs on a spit, bread baking and a table overflowing with (fake) food waiting for the hungry!
After the Abbot’s Kitchen, ruins and Lady’s Church, we visit King Arthur’s grave then stop into St. Patrick’s Chapel.
It is hard to imagine building such grand structures, using – what? I have yet to read much on how all of this was actually accomplished. I guess stonemasons were employed by the hundreds over the same number of years.
As we look at these almost invincible ruins, I can’t help but wonder if anything built in the 20th century will even last into the 22nd! We end our visit with a photo of one of the staff dressed in Abbey garb! Oh, don’t forget to ask for your Tor map on the way out.
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Want to know more about the Glastonbury Abbey? Here are our suggestions for some additional reading. Click below to browse and purchase:
What is the Glastonbury Tor?
Onward to the TOR! After all, that’s what prompted our day trip to Glastonbury in the first place. But, to begin, a definition is necessary. A “tor” is a geographical term for a large round outcropping that rises abruptly from an otherwise smooth, rounded hill. Silly me. I thought the Glastonbury Tor was the building on top, but I’m getting ahead of myself here.
Getting to the Tor.
A map to the Tor is available for free from the Abbey. If you stop there first, ask for it on your way out. I left a copy for you here. Down Magdalene Street, left on to Bere Lane then veer to the right at the Rural Life Museum which is Chilkwell Street. At the intersection of Chickwell and Well House Lane is the start of the upwards trek. There is another route off Chilkwell Street but we are told it is not as clear and the path up to the Tor is somewhat steeper.
How Many Steps to the Tor?
What starts out as a walkway turns into steps. We should be counting them, but there is so much to see and admire. (Some accounts put the number of steps at 301 but we cannot confirm that.) It appears daunting at first, as the steps wind themselves up the hillside.
Don’t despair, however. The steps are well maintained, even and certainly walkable for almost anyone. Just take your time. There is even a bench or two along the way to stop for a rest. (or admire the vista.) Although it may appear doubtful at first, you certainly can reach the top. We are here!
Top of the Tor!
So if the “tor” is not the building atop the hill, but the hill itself, then just what is that structure on top called? It is what remains of The First Monastic Church of St. Michael’s which was built in the 14th century. The original St. Michael’s, a wooden structure, was probably destroyed in the earthquake of 1275 then rebuilt using stone in the 14th Century. Today, only the roofless tower remains. It has been restored and partially rebuilt several times. Quite impressive in its own right.
Enshrouded in myth and legend, some believe the Tor is the legendary lost island of Avalon, of King Arthur’s fame. It has long been a site of ancient rituals and spirituality and remains so today.
But enough of the history! Views are amazing. We can almost see the towers of the Wells Cathedral but it is a bit hazy. Walking around, we take in all of Somerset! After spending time wandering through and around the tower, we head back down. Some locals coming up the steps tell us what a fabulous place it is to photograph a full moon. I’m sure they’re not the only ones who make the trek to the top for that one awesome picture.
From Glastonbury back to Wells.
Recognizing the spiritual significance of the Tor, it now makes sense as to why there is such a New Age vibe to the town itself. The bus back to Wells is located just beyond the square in front of Gigi’s. After another well-brewed cappuccino and a mocha at the Mocha Berry Cafe, we board the Mendip Explorer for our ride home. Our day trip to Glastonbury is at the end!
More on Glastonbury Tor
Here are some excellent resources if you are interested in learning more about the Glastonbury Tor. The history, myth and legend are all intertwined making for fascinating reading! Just click below to explore and purchase:
This Amazon Glastonbury Tor link allows you to search to your heart’s content for all things on the Tor.
Options for a Guided day tour to Glastonbury.
“GetYourGuide.com” has several Glastonbury tours in their itinerary. The first is a private tour to Glastonbury which includes a hard cider tasting which departs from Bath. Another includes Stonehenge and Avebury with Glastonbury which makes for a fun day trip! For the ultimate, try their 5 day small group Devon to Cornwell tour which includes Glastonbury in the itinerary.
If you simply don’t want to take the bus from Wells, Viator offers an excellent tour that includes Wells (one of our favorite cities) and Glastonbury. If you are more into “nature'” Viator has a “Tour of Glastonbury, Guided by the Trees.” You can choose from all the Viator Glastonbury tours here!
The Glastonbury Festival.
On a final note, we learn that Glastonbury is equally famous for the Glastonbury Festival, a 5 day music / dance / entertainment extravaganza that takes place – surprisingly – in Pilton, some 6 miles outside of Glastonbury! The first festival was in 1970 and only had 1,500 people in attendance.
Nowadays, attendance is in the 210,000 range with tickets costing £280 + £5 booking fee. After cancelling the 2020 and 2021 event due to Covid, the Glastonbury Festival returned on 22-26 June 2022 to sold out crowds!
For books, great music, and memorabilia from past Glastonbury Festivals, click this Amazon Festival link to browse and purchase! Many big names have performed at Glastonbury! Some great music here!
We hope you enjoyed our day trip to Glastonbury. We certainly did. If you’ve been to Glastonbury we’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
For more fun in the UK, see our post on our exciting tour of the Inner Circle of Stonehenge, what it’s like to go Punting in Cambridge and our day trip to Goring. The Cathedral city of Wells stole our hearts!
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