Barnstaple Town Centre :: Accommodation Guide

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What is history and what is legend? There are plenty of both at Glastonbury. Ancient tradition tells tales of the Isle of Avalon, the place of the dead. Glastonbury has always been associated with this mythical place and it was certainly once a sacred burial ground, followed later by a druidical college. Avalon is often associated with the Arthurian legends, so Glastonbury has long been linked with King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Some legends even claim that the Holy Grail was buried here, so pagan and Christian beliefs go hand in hand.

Other legends tell of the arrival of Joseph of Arimathea after the crucifixion of Jesus. The story goes that Joseph, who had been a wealthy merchant and traveller prior to his days as a missionary, came to a spot in Glastonbury known as Weary All. He was given some land there and planted his staff to stake his claim. The staff was transformed into a thorn tree. The huge flowering tree survived the Reformation, in spite of attempts to destroy it because of the supposed magical connections. Eventually it died, but only after several trees had been budded from it.Today, there are three thorn trees known to have survived in Glastonbury. One is in Glastonbury Abbey grounds, another in the churchyard of St John’s Church and the last in the garden of the vicarage. The tree is believed to be a Levantine thorn, which flowers in May and at Christmas.

Glastonbury Tor and some of the surrounding land was once an island, joined to the mainland by a narrow peninsular. The island was surrounded by tidal marshes which gave good natural protection. This is a little reminiscent of the Isle of Ely in the fens on the opposite side of England. Although there were people living in Iron Age lake villages near the island in Neolithic times, the island appears to have been uninhabited and treated as sacred place from the beginning.

Glastonbury is set in lovely countryside and there are plenty of walks, including some to the top of Glastonbury Tor, which offers great views of both the Mendip and the Blackdown hills and the nearby city of Wells. Other less strenuous walks are centred on the town itself, which has some interesting old buildings and structures such as the 18th century Pump House. Another walk is along the ancient Druid pathway, newly replanted with oaks to supplement the ancient trees, Gog and Magog.

Glastonbury today is an interesting town with several museums and other attractions. There is a wide variety of cafés and restaurants and plenty of accommodation for visitors to the area. Some of the old buildings are really interesting – notably the Tribunal, a 14th century town house which was possibly once some sort of commercial building. The George and pilgrims has a mediaeval façade and the old Courthouse is worth a second glance too.

Of course there is plenty to occupy the visitor to the area and lots of other interesting places and holiday resorts within easy reach of the town. Every year (except this year) the Glastonbury Festival is held at Worthy Farm, nearby in Pilton.

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Click on Tourism for information on the area, Attractions for what to do and where to go, Food and Drink on what to eat when you get there, Leisure... well relax and think about that one and the Town Centre to shop till you drop!