Glastonbury

Glastonbury is a small town in the Mendip district, located around 20 miles south of Bristol in the county of Somerset. The settlement spreads around a market square, with narrow lanes leading to shops, cafés and houses from several centuries.

The abbey was founded in the 7th century and grew into one of the most important religious sites in England, until King Henry VIII dissolved it in the 16th century. The ruins of the abbey still draw visitors today who are interested in early Christianity in the British Isles.

The town has a lively scene for wellness and spiritual themes, visible in small shops where bookstores stand beside herbal remedy outlets. Visitors encounter many people interested in meditation, yoga or ecological living, giving the daily street scene a relaxed and open atmosphere.

The central square lies within walking distance of most attractions, and many shops and pubs open during daytime on weekdays. A walk up the hill takes around half an hour and offers views over the surrounding plain when the weather is clear.

Legends claim that King Arthur and Queen Guinevere are buried on the abbey grounds, although historians view these stories as a medieval invention. The monks of the abbey are said to have discovered a tomb with inscriptions in the 12th century to attract pilgrims and secure donations.