Glastonbury

Glastonbury is a small Somerset market town of about 9,000 people that somehow contains multitudes. Walk down the High Street and you'll pass a butcher, a postman, and an Archdruid, all going about their day like it's completely normal. Because here, it is.

The town hosts over 70 faiths and spiritual traditions, from Roman Catholic pilgrims visiting the Abbey to Druids performing ceremonies at the Tor. Pagans, Christians, New Agers, hippies, and born-and-bred Somerset farmers all share the same postcodes. There's a genuine "unity through diversity" ethos here, even if it occasionally tips into self-parody on the High Street with shops called "Man, Myth and Magik" and "The Chocolate Love Temple.

" The Abbey ruins sit on 36 acres right in the town center, and the Tor (a 518-foot conical hill topped by a ruined medieval tower) dominates the skyline for miles around. Both are genuinely striking. Legend says King Arthur is buried in the Abbey grounds.

Joseph of Arimathea supposedly planted his staff here and it grew into the Holy Thorn. Two major ley lines (called the Michael and Mary lines) are said to intersect right here. Whether you buy into any of that is irrelevant.

The place has a strange, undeniable atmosphere that even committed skeptics tend to acknowledge. Note: Glastonbury Festival does NOT take place in the town. It happens at Worthy Farm in nearby Pilton, about 8 miles away.

Lots of visitors make the mistake of thinking they're the same place. They're not.

Celebrate the Wheel of the Year. Glastonbury takes its eight pagan seasonal festivals seriously. Beltane on May 1st brings a dragon procession down the High Street, a maypole raised at Bushey Combe, and blessings at the White Spring.

Show up and join in — no one will think it odd.. At the Tor, people genuinely meditate, sing, and pray at sunrise and sunset. It's not performance.

Don't play loud music or disrupt someone mid-ceremony. Read the room.. The Chalice Well is a working pilgrimage site, not just a garden to wander through.

The red iron-rich water flows constantly and visitors collect it in bottles. Treat it with the same respect you would any religious site.. Samhain in late October brings one of the main events of the Glastonbury calendar — a full procession through town.

Book accommodation well in advance if you're visiting then.. Summer Solstice (June 21) draws large crowds to the Tor for sunrise. Get there by 4am if you want space and a clear view..

The town is genuinely accepting of unusual-looking people. Don't stare. A person in full druid robes buying groceries is just someone buying groceries..

Locals use the phrase 'Normal for Glastonbury' to describe the weird things that happen here daily. Embrace it rather than treating the place like a zoo.

Glastonbury has a higher crime rate than you might expect for a small Somerset market town. As of 2025, the crime rate is 47% higher than the South West average and 11% above the national England, Wales, and Northern Ireland figure. The main issues are shoplifting, antisocial behaviour, and public order offences — concentrated around the Shopping Area and High Street.

Avon and Somerset Police have increased their neighbourhood presence in the town centre in response. Violent crime exists but it's not the dominant pattern. The honest picture: it's not dangerous in the way a large city is, but keep an eye on your belongings on the High Street, especially in peak tourist season.

Don't leave bags unattended in cafes. Street drinking and occasional aggressive behaviour around pubs late at night is the most likely nuisance. Solo travellers are fine here.

It's a town, not a thriller. Just don't flash expensive kit and be aware of your surroundings after dark near the pubs.

Glastonbury has no train station of its own. The closest is Castle Cary, about 6 miles away, with direct services from London Paddington. From there, a taxi into town costs around £15–£20 — or you can time a connecting bus.

Bristol Airport is 16 miles from the town center; easyJet and British Airways operate regular routes in and out. By coach from London, National Express and similar operators run routes for around £10, taking roughly 3–3.5 hours.

It's often the most practical option if you're coming from the capital without a car. Once in town, most things are walkable. The Tor is a 16-minute walk from the High Street.

A seasonal Tor Bus runs from Glastonbury town centre to the base of the hill from April to September (handy if mobility is a concern). There is no parking at the Tor itself. The nearest fee-paying car park is at Draper & Co on Chilkwell Street, a short walk from the Tor entrance.

A seasonal Park and Ride operates from the town centre. If you're driving from Bristol it's about 35 miles and takes 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. The A39 and A361 are your main routes in.