Steeped in history, parts of the ancient town of Glastonbury and its surrounding areas date back as far as the Bronze Age, Iron Age and Neolithic times; the imposing Glastonbury Abbey is the town's most dominant feature. Explore its beautiful parklands and catch a glimpse of the Holy Thorn tree.
The awe-inspiring Glastonbury Tor is a significant tourist draw, with many flocking to explore the history, myth and legend that surround it. The Tor rises dramatically from the otherwise flat landscape of the Somerset Levels and sits at a commanding 525 feet.
At the top of the Tor sits the ruins of St Michaels, a 15th century church, offering dramatic views of the former marshland. From here it's easy to appreciate that Glastonbury was once an island. The hill and its approaches are owned by the National Trust and free access is available to the public, though visitors are advised to walk from the town centre or take the 'Tor Bus', due to parking restrictions around the site.
The town itself is charming; filled with ancient buildings like the Tribunal, a 14th century town house which now houses the local museum and an array of appealing café's, restaurants and shops. In recent years, Glastonbury has become synonymous with the music festival, which takes place at Worthy Farm in Pilton.
Glastonbury is positioned in a convenient location for exploring the whole of Somerset. Situated in the mendip district on the Somerset Levels, it's only 23 miles from Bristol it is also less than 1 mile from the village of Street, another ancient village which is now quite modern in appearance. For those who wish to indulge in some shopping Street is home to Clarks Village, a large outlet with over 90 stores, café's, restaurant's and children's play area, it's a fantastic day out for all the family.