Glastonbury

A brief history of Glastonbury

Long, long time ago
Back in the mists of time, the Glastonbury region was a focus of mythology. The strange 500ft Tor is what generated it all. Two thousand years ago, the sea used to wash right up to the Tor's base, creating what would have been a mysterious island in a vast lake. Celtic tribes settled on the lake's edge and called it Avalon or Avalloc the name of a demi-god who ruled the underworld. They believed where the sea met the land was the meeting place of the dead. The hills, the coast, rivers and trees were important in ancient Celtic culture. Celtic art features natural tree-like shapes and motifs. 

Biblical stories
You can see why fantastic stories and legends of the Isle of Avalon persist today. Over time it seems that tales about magical cauldrons or a grail became interwoven with a special vessel of spiritual nourishment. Here is where the connection is with Christ and the Last Supper. So here is the story; Joseph of Arimathea, the man who placed Christ's body in the tomb, received the grail as a gift and memento of Christ. He travelled to England burying it on Chalice Hill, near Chalice Well. This story connects with King Arthur and the knights of the round table and their grail quest. The power of the tale drew people to Glastonbury like a giant magnet, in the same way, people want to see a film location or a famous cathedral. 

Chapel on the Tor
A chapel stood on the Tor's peak in the Middle Ages, later to be destroyed by an earthquake and replaced by St Michael's chapel that you see today. Great numbers of people visiting the chapel stayed in the valley below, near the site of an old cemetery. The present Abbey grew up around the cemetery, that was jam-packed with tombs. Monks said that King Arthurs tomb lay amongst them. Suppose you remove the made-up stories of Arthur and stuck to the real history. In that case, you have an effective warrior king or leader that defended Britain from the pagan Saxons of Europe. You can now see the appeal of having such a revered Christian warrior buried in the heart of the Abbey. We will never know the true historical fact about King Arthur; maybe it should remain a legend. 

The Abbey
The great Abbey at Glastonbury rose during the late 12th and 13th centuries and became one of the richest in the realm. The legends had paid off. Glastonbury became a town that welcomed thousands of spiritual visitors. Accommodation for pilgrims lined the main street, remarkably The George and Pilgrims Hotel survives in its 15th Century form today. Kings and high-ranking persons would have stayed in the Abbey. Other wealthy pilgrims would lodge in the main street in pilgrim style accommodation much like The George. 

The Dissolution-of-the-Monasteries
In 1536, there were 800 or so monasteries, nunneries and friaries in Britain, by 1541 there were none. The religious upheaval is known as the Dissolution-of-the-Monasteries, was a way of increasing revenue for the Crown and disbanding inefficient and corrupt religious houses. Besides, ministers thought that the monastic houses would work against King Henry VIII newly created Church of England. Most Abbots took pensions, moved to other clerical positions, but others resisted, and government henchmen became brutal.

The authorities dragged the old and frail Abbot Whiting of Glastonbury Abbey up the tor and beheaded him. His two loyal monks were decapitated too. The remaining forty or so monks were driven out of town. The government sold off the Abbey's valuables to the highest bidder, and the church became a local quarry which supplied the townsfolk with building material. But, the myths endured, and people still visited. 

Today Glastonbury town is a happy place with visitors searching for well-being and answers to their questions about life.

Glastonbury music festival 
Nearby is the location of one of the world's largest music festivals. It is a five-day event hosting contemporary music, dance, comedy, circus and everything in-between. Over 200,000 people attend each day. Please contact us for further information; we can provide advice and connect you with an authorised ticket seller. 

The shops
We all love independent shops, individual items for sale and great customer care. Glastonbury has an abundance of family-run retail. The offering is items relating to myths and legends, well-being, alternative clothing, art and sculpture. 

There are cultural shops with the art of Celtic and Viking origin. Acquire vintage clothing or buy a fairy, a candle, or a piece of serious art. There is something for everyone in Glastonbury, but you must realise it is all about letting yourself go, and you must become a mystic, just for the day at least - it is all a bit of fun. 

Touring and accommodation
You can tour Glastonbury in a day from the City of Bath. Our suggested Glastonbury and Wells day tour from London works with staying overnight and departing and returning to Bath. The City of Wells is a delightful historical gem with old bishop's palace and a much-admired cathedral. Other day tours from Bath include Salisbury Cathedral, Stonehenge and the stunning landscaped gardens at Stourhead. 

Stay overnight at the Royal Crescent Hotel, and we can have one of our driver-guides take care of you for a few days while you tour the area. Glastonbury can also be a stop en-route to Cornwall and Devon. Contact us, and we can create a tailor-made tour of England for you. There is a wide choice of accommodation in the UK; Cottages, Manor House Hotels and traditional Guest Houses.

If this is your first time to England, we would recommend a custom version of our Town and Country Tour; it covers the famous places and allows you to utilise your private driver-guide by getting-off-the-beaten-path. Our Classic tour of Ireland is a good place to start for the first trip to Ireland, and we suggest the Classic tour of Scotland for your first trip to the bonny Highlands.