"Magical Avalon" Glastonbury by robine

Glastonbury Travel Guide: 133 reviews and 424 photos

Myths and legends

We've just returned from an excellent weekend. I decided that we should take full advantage of what may turn out to be the last warm and sunny w/e of the late summer, and booked us into a medieval inn in Glastonbury. The town was splendid. Hanging baskets of flowers from virtually every building; the lovely and tranquil ruins of the Abbey; an excellent 15th C parish church; and,the place having been taken over by New Age folk, cauldrons and potions and broomsticks (really!) on sale everywhere.

There are, of course, lots of legends connecting the Vale of Avalon with Joseph of Arimathea (the great-uncle of Jesus, said to have brought his great-nephew there - ("And did those feet, in ancient time ..."), and to have planted a staff which turned into a still-flowering thorn-tree, and buried the Holy Grail near a holy well). And we saw in the Abbey the alleged grave site of King Arthur and Guinevere.

We also visited the Chalice Well (the "Grail site"), a very peaceful garden, and collected some of its waters. Then we climbed the Tor, a steep and tall pyramidical hill visible for miles around, topped by a 14th century church tower. Wonderful views!

Then, on our way back home, a stop in Wells, for its spectacular (even unique) Cathedral, with its second-oldest functioning clock in the world, and interesting 13th C. Bishop's Palace, protected by moat and walls, and swans who ring a bell when they want to be fed.. Altogether, very enjoyable.

Medieval Inn

We stayed in the "George and Pilgrims", excellently located in the centre of town. The hotel offered no great luxury, and was over-priced at £75, but I certainly don't regret the experience of staying in the wattle and daub former guest house of the Abbey, which has been putting up pilgrims for the last 540 years! It was also good to eat West Country pasties, washed down with cider.

Since returning, I've learnt from a website that the hotel is supposed to be one of the most haunted buildings in England! We saw nothing untoward, though.

Pros and Cons

Pros:King Arthur, and the Holy Grail (maybe)
Cons:Not accessible by train
In a nutshell:History, myth and magic

Last visit to Glastonbury: Sep 2005
Intro Updated Sep 23, 2005
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Reviews (2)

Cimb the Tor Things to Do (1)

more travel advice

15th century inn Hotels (1)

Excellent location by the market place. The hotel offered no great luxury, and was over-priced at £75, but I certainly... more travel advice

Comments (4)

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Mariajoy May 5, 2006 at 11:14 PM

A Very Happy Birthday Robin! I hadn't realised you had a whole tip AND a photo and everything! :)) Many happy returns of the day and best wishes, Maria
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Little_Lou_Lou Sep 24, 2005 at 5:58 AM

And a lovely photo it is!
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pieter_jan_v Sep 23, 2005 at 11:06 PM

Congratulations with this first picture. Man, are you looking proud! Go on! PJ
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allikat Sep 23, 2005 at 9:40 PM

Great that you've posted your first picture - glad to have helped! I've never been to Glastonbury, though it's somewhere I've wanted to visit for many years. Maybe on my next visit home I can make a point of checking for ghosts at the George & Pilgrims?!