For travelers who enjoy getting off the beaten path, Glastonbury, England is a unique and rewarding destination. This small town in England is home to some of the country’s most famous historical sites, including Glastonbury Abbey and the Tor. While one day in Glastonbury might not seem like enough, it will give you the chance to visit some of the most important sites.
Is Glastonbury worth visiting?
Glastonbury is very different than most other places in England.
Part historical, part mystical, Glastonbury is believed to be the true Avalon.
For those who are not familiar, Avalon is a mythical place found in Arthurian Legend.
- Malory, Thomas (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 768 Pages – 10/01/2015 (Publication Date) – Canterbury Classics (Publisher)
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If you are considering making the day trip to Glastonbury, I would suggest you give yourself a full day to explore everything there is to see here!
How to Spend One Day in Glastonbury, England
Glastonbury has several historical places to explore along with a city center filled with an eclectic mix of medieval buildings, mystical shops and boutique stores.
With plenty to explore on foot, make sure you wear comfortable shoes for your day in town.
If you are traveling here by car, there is ample parking near the town center.
There is also a visitors information center where you can get a physical town map and purchase tickets for the park & ride that you can take to the Chalice Well & bottom of the Tor.
Wondering how you should plan your time in town? Use this perfect one day Glastonbury itinerary:
Glastonbury One Day Itinerary
- Glastonbury Abbey
- The Tor
- The Chalice Well & Garden
- Glastonbury Mural Trail
- High Street
Visit Glastonbury Abbey
The first thing you will want to see is Glastonbury Abbey.
TIP: Buy your tickets in advance online because they are cheaper than in person. Children under 16 get in free (2 per adult).
This Abbey was established as a Benedictine Monastery, under Beorhtwald, its first Saxon abbot, around 670 AD.
There are great digital images of what these buildings would have looked like in their original state.
Throughout the next few centuries, the monastery was enlarged, destroyed by a fire, reconstructed, and then finally totally destroyed when King Henry VIII dissolved all monasteries in the 16th century.
The structures that are left will help you understand its enormity at one time and how beautiful it probably once looked.
Evidence of the dissolution of the Abbey is found everywhere on this sacred site.
All symbols and decorations that once filled the space have been removed and left standing and are only part of what was once a very enormous and probably, amazingly beautiful abbey.
The Abbots Kitchen
With its octagonal tower and menacing gargoyles on the exterior, this medieval kitchen dates back to the 14th century and is the only building to remain fully intact.
It has been refurbished to show what it would have looked like when it was used, with four corner fireplaces.
Each of these would have been used for a different purpose (roasting, boiling, baking, and washing).
King Arthur Burial Site
What makes this Abbey one of the most popular Glastonbury attractions to visit is its connection to King Arthur. Legend has it that King Arthur and his wife Guinevere are buried on the grounds.
When monks heard this, they had the land excavated (12th century). Below the earth, they found some bones & hair.
At the time of King Edward I’s reign, the remains were sealed in a black marble tomb. Unfortunately, when King Henry VIII dissolved all the monasteries, the tombs were removed.
The Holy Thorn
Just before the Dissolution of the Monasteries, three unique Middle-eastern thorn trees grew in Glastonbury on a nearby hill.
The trees were considered to be sacred because of the story surrounding a connection to Joseph of Arimathea and the fact that they flower twice a year: once around Easter and then again at Christmas.
The original trees were destroyed in the 17th century (by Puritan soldiers who believed they were superstitious), but locals had taken cuttings prior to their removal and replanted them in several other locations in town.
Two such trees can be found on the grounds of the Glastonbury Abbey.
TIP: If traveling with kids, download the Glastonbury Stories AR app.
The app takes users on a quest around the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey to uncover portals to the past that allow them to hear conversations from the abbey’s medieval inhabitants, discover lost artifacts and see what buildings formerly existed onsite.
Glastonbury Tor
A day trip to Glastonbury isn’t complete without seeing the most famous of their attractions, Glastonbury Tor.
The Tor is known to be one of the most spiritual sites in England.
Legend has it that the Tor is the site of Avalon, the mythical island from the Arthurian legends.
This legend is based on the fact that Glastonbury was once an island in a lake. The lake has since dried up, but the Tor still stands as a reminder of its existence.
To get to the top, you will need to walk along either the natural or the terracing footpath along the outer rim. These paths date to the same period as Stonehenge.
It takes 15-20 minutes to ascend and the climb is best done slowly since it is so steep.
When you reach the summit, you will find the remnants of a church (circa 1323) that was destroyed same time as Glastonbury Abbey. Only the tower remains.
The views are spectacular. Take a seat on the grass (watch for rabbit poo) and enjoy your accomplishment!
TIP: To get to the Tor easily, take the Park & Ride at the Glastonbury Information Center. While you can walk there, the trek up to the top is enough of a walk. The Park & Ride will take you to both the Chalice Well & Gardens and to the base of the Tor.
Chalice Well & Gardens
The Glastonbury Chalice Well is a natural spring that has been used as a place of pilgrimage for centuries.
The water is said to have healing properties and people come from far and wide to drink from the well or bathe their feet in its waters.
You will find only one place where you can drink from the well, but several places where the water flows downstream through the gardens.
The gardens surrounding the well are lovely, with lush greenery, flowers, and sculptures.
There are hidden nooks throughout the garden where you can find solace to pray, meditate or just feel the healing effects of this spiritual space.
TIP: Bring a separate refillable water bottle for the Chalice Well. The water is rich in iron, so you don’t want to drink too much.
High Street
If you take the recommended Park & Ride, it will bring you back to the town center where you can do some shopping.
This won’t be your typical shopping experience.
You will find a ton of new-age shops in Glastonbury featuring healing oils, crystals, magic, and other mystical properties!
Even if you don’t want to go into the shops, window shopping is just as fun with all the colorful stores and window displays!
Glastonbury Tribunal
If you are on the English Heritage Pass, take time to check out the Glastonbury Tribunal.
This 16th century building remains much of what it would have looked like duirng the Medieval Age, inlcuding the 1st floor room that extends over the entrance passage that retained the original open roof.
The first floor, which houses a museum of artifacts found in Glastonbury, has a beautifully paneled ceiling.
Glastonbury Mural Trail
There is just so much to see in Glastonbury and some of it is off the beaten path.
While street art can be found near the car park and along High Street, make sure you venture in the back alleyways and side streets where you can witness the Glastonbury Mural Trail.
The Glastonbury Mural Trail is a series of murals created by local and international artists that celebrate what makes Glastonbury so special.
Designs reflect Glastonbury’s unique landscape, history, and spiritual heritage.
If you’re looking for an exciting and different travel experience while visiting Southern England, Glastonbury is a great choice!
Looking for nearby towns in Somerset to explore?
How to Get to Glastonbury from London
If you are considering making the day trip to Glastonbury from London, you are in for a treat.
The quickest option is by train from London’s Paddington Station to Castle Cary. It takes 1½ hours.
You can also find many tours that will take you from London to Glastonbury. Here are some of our favorites:
Where to Stay in Glastonbury
When you only have one day in Glastonbury, you might want to stay overnight to make the most of your time. If so, choose a centrally located place so that you can easily walk to all the popular sites in town.
These are the best three accommodations in Glastonbury to consider:
Best Accomodations in Glastonbury
Located close to Chalice Well and Glastonbury Tor, George & Pilgrims Hotel provides a garden, a bar, and a restaurant. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
8 Owls B&B provides amenities like a terrace and a garden. Stay connected with free WiFi in public areas.
Located close to Chalice Well and Glastonbury Tor, The Covenstead provides free cooked-to-order breakfast, a terrace, and a garden. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
Have you had a chance to experience any or all of these Glastonbury attractions? Which was your favorite?