"TOR, TOWN, AND FESTIVALS" Glastonbury by englishchris

Glastonbury Travel Guide: 133 reviews and 424 photos

my personal impressions of Glastonbury

Glastonbury is a strange place - by any definition!
It is an inharmonious mix of geology, mythology, psychology, and sociology (plus lots of other things that don't rhyme with 'ology).
For me Glastonbury consists of three separate parts:
The Sites - namely Glastonbury Tor, Chalice Well, the Abbey, and the lesser known special spots.
The Town - with its array of new age shops, healing centres, and local characters.
The Events - such as The Festival, but also the conferences, workshops, groups, and the arts.

For a small town, there is a lot going on here - check out the monthly listings leaflet available from tourist info, and many of the shops. Also look out for flyers posted round advertising a range of workshops and services. Around full moon, there are many small celebrations and meditations - some formal and others impromtu at the top of the Tor. Throughout the year there are numerous (and rather specialised) events, such as the Goddess and Green Man Conferences, the Crop Circle Symposium, the Dance Festival and lots more.

You cannot introduce Glastonbury without acknowledging The Glastonbury Festival - which is actually held at the village of Pilton about 4 miles away. For four days a year, this village suddenly becomes the largest town in the south west of England. Without actually seeing it, it is hard to really appreciate how big the festival is - It Is HUGE! This is a world class festival of music, art, expression and drug-fuelled indulgence and celebration, and although it has changed and evolved over the years to something much more industrialised - it remains an amazing experience.
However the days of getting in without an official ticket (ie. over the fence) have come to an end, and all tickets sell out at a phenominal pace!

Is Glastonbury a Spiritual Place?
That all depends on your definition of spirituality I guess. I love the fact that it attracts seekers and pilgrims from all over the world, who often get a lot out of visiting here. Personally I have had one or two quietely profound moments at the sites - the most memorable being at the top of the Tor at full moon, with a sea of mist below, and silver clouds floating just above the mist - It really did look like a doorway into another world! But as for the town itself - I find it often has a very stagnant or uneasy atmosphere, with a restless mix of various agendas floating round.
So make of it what you will - it's definately worth a visit.

Pros and Cons

Pros:a unique place, special to many diverse seekers and pilgrims
Cons:can sometimes feel like a stagnant backwater
In a nutshell:A great place to visit - and leave

Intro Updated Sep 20, 2004
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Reviews (5)

not just a minature tor Off The Beaten Path (2)

Burrow Mump looks like a minature Glastonbury Tor, and is well worth a visit. It overlooks the joining of thr Rivers... more travel advice

Chalice Well - nice Things to Do (1)

Chalice Well Gardens are one of the must-see sites of Glastonbury. The Gardens are built around the Glastonbury Red... more travel advice

The oldest trees you will ever see Off The Beaten Path (2)

There are two, old, old, oak trees standing in a secluded and atmospheric area on the outskirts of Glasters. Named Gog... more travel advice

the best Indian in the area Restaurants (1)

Although not quite in Glastonbury itself, if you fancy a curry, this is the place to make for. All quality food, in... more travel advice

Local Customs (1)
Full Moons in Glasters

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Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 21, 2004

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Glastonbury Festival

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Comments (6)

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jo104 Jun 14, 2006 at 11:10 AM

Full moon parties sound excellent as does an apple under those oakes - Hope you had a great birthday - greetings from London
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Myfanwe Jun 14, 2006 at 10:56 AM

Hi Chris, I love your pages, I'm coming to Glastonbury this weekend for the first time- camping at Old oaks, found your pages really helpful, Cheers, Vicki
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Bwana_Brown Apr 4, 2006 at 5:58 AM

Your Home page photo at the windswept top of Glastonbury Tor had me laughing! This sounds like a very interesting location. Great photos and I do love a good curry too!
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MissAntarctica2002 Jun 14, 2005 at 7:21 AM

Your tips are really great. I'd love to see you write more of them. Well done. Maybe I will get to visit Glastonbury one day.
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jolou Feb 12, 2005 at 3:33 AM

Great Glasto travelogue :o)
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mrsnorris Nov 22, 2004 at 10:22 AM

Hi Cris, I read D. Virtue's Angle Medicine recently. She mentions the Tor as a vortex. Do read the Glastonbury bit in that book. + the Santorini part! I had a great deja vu. I will set up my page shortly. I like your desrciptions of places!