Glastonbury
Sacred hills, wild gardens, and slow mystical countryside wandering
Highlights
Unwind in one of Britain’s most tranquil sacred gardens with flowing red spring waters.
Walk up the iconic hill for sweeping countryside views and moody sunrise and sunset photos.
Drift through crystal shops, incense-filled bookstores, and hidden courtyards at a relaxed pace.
Stroll through wetlands and fields that feel half-wild, with big skies and birdsong.
Take a guided day out from Glastonbury to explore ancient stone circles with no planning stress.
Sleep in leafy B&Bs and retreats with gardens that echo a soft, wild-jungle aesthetic.
Where to Stay
1 pick
The Covenstead
Characterful guesthouse overlooking the High Street with eclectic, mystical décor and cozy, plant-filled common spaces; steps from shops and cafés.
Where to Eat
20 picks
Earthfare Café
Organic health-food café attached to a wholefoods shop; order vegetarian/vegan options like falafel wraps, veggie breakfasts, soups, and salads which avoid alcohol and pork and are typically cooked in veg oil.
The Blue Note Café
Casual café with a leafy, slightly bohemian feel; go for vegetarian/vegan sandwiches, jacket potatoes with veggie fillings, or salads and ask for no alcohol in sauces.
Rainbows End Café
Vegetarian café tucked behind a narrow entrance with a leafy courtyard at the back; choose from veggie curries, pies, salads, and seasonal hot dishes (all meat-free, no pork, and generally alcohol-free food).
Burns the Bread (Takeaway Breakfast)
Grab simple vegetarian baked goods like cheese pasties, vegetable pastries, or sweet buns; avoid meat pies and anything with lard, and confirm veggie options are cooked in veg oil or butter.
The Lazy Gecko Café
Relaxed café with greenery and a slightly rustic feel; choose vegetarian/vegan options such as veggie burgers, soups, and salads, and ask staff to confirm no alcohol or pork products.
Earthfare Picnic (Self-Catered Dinner)
Shop the Earthfare store for clearly labeled vegetarian/vegan ready foods, hummus, breads, and salads; create a halal-friendly picnic to eat back at your accommodation or in a nearby green spot.
Excalibur Café (Vegetarian Focus)
Small, mystical-themed café; choose vegetarian breakfasts (eggs, beans, mushrooms, toast) or vegan options, specifying no pork or alcohol-based ingredients.
Hundred Monkeys Café
Rustic, plant-friendly café with lots of greenery; pick vegetarian mains like veg tagines, salads, and soups, explicitly asking to avoid alcohol in sauces.
Thai Elephant (Vegetarian Thai Options)
Thai restaurant where you can order vegetarian curries and stir-fries (e.g., tofu vegetable curry, veg pad Thai) and specify no fish sauce, no oyster sauce, and no alcohol in cooking.
Self-Catered Breakfast from Earthfare
Pick up fruit, yogurt, bread, nut butter, and other vegetarian items from Earthfare to eat at your accommodation before a daytrip.
Halal-Friendly Packed Lunch (From Glastonbury)
Before the tour, assemble a fully vegetarian takeaway lunch from Earthfare or Rainbows End (e.g., falafel wrap, salads, fruit) to avoid uncertainty about halal options en route.
Simple Supper from Burns the Bread or Earthfare
After the tour, grab a light vegetarian snack—bread, cheese, veggie pastries, or salads—from Burns the Bread or Earthfare to eat at your accommodation.
Café Solo (Vegetarian Options)
Order a vegetarian breakfast—eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, beans, toast—and request no pork or bacon on the plate.
Hundred Monkeys Café (Second Visit)
Return for different vegetarian dishes (e.g., seasonal veg plates, grain salads, soups) and rest your legs in the plant-filled interior.
Rainbows End Café (Courtyard Dinner)
Enjoy another vegetarian main—perhaps a different curry, lasagna, or salad plate—and sit in the leafy courtyard if weather allows.
Earthfare Café (Late Breakfast or Brunch)
Have a leisurely vegetarian brunch—soups, salads, or a veggie wrap—before another flexible day in town or a side trip.
Vegetarian Lunch in Wells (Generic Recommendation)
Choose any central Wells café that clearly offers vegetarian meals (e.g., jacket potatoes, veg quiche, salads, or sandwiches) and confirm no pork or alcohol in your dish.
Thai Elephant (Second Vegetarian Dinner)
Try different vegetarian Thai dishes—such as vegetable green curry or stir-fried mixed veg—again asking clearly for no fish sauce, no oyster sauce, and no alcohol in cooking.
Favorite Café Revisit (Your Choice)
Return to whichever breakfast spot you liked best—Earthfare, Excalibur, Café Solo, or Burns the Bread—and repeat your favorite vegetarian order.
Quick Vegetarian Lunch Before Departure
Grab a simple vegetarian meal from Rainbows End, Earthfare, or Blue Note—something easy to eat and not too heavy for travel.
What to Do
20 picks
Glastonbury High Street Stroll
Wander past crystal shops, bookshops, incense-filled boutiques, and small courtyards; pop in and out of places that catch your eye and use this to get your bearings.
Glastonbury Abbey
Explore the ruins and expansive, park-like grounds said to be linked with King Arthur; linger by the ponds, mature trees, and wildflower patches.
Evening High Street Window Shopping
After dinner, take a gentle stroll as the town quiets down, enjoying shopfronts and the glow from cafés before heading back to your accommodation.
Glastonbury Tor (Morning Hike)
Walk up the grassy hill path to St Michael’s Tower; move slowly, enjoy the sheep-dotted fields, and take in panoramic views of the Somerset Levels.
Tor Fieldside Wander
After descending, take a gentle meander along the lower field paths near the Tor, staying on marked tracks and enjoying hedgerows and birdsong.
Chalice Well Gardens
Spend a slow afternoon in the lush, terraced gardens around the red-iron spring, with shaded benches, small pools, and quiet lawns perfect for reflection.
Sunset Pause Near the Tor
Find a quiet field edge or low viewpoint (without re-climbing fully) to watch the light change over the Somerset Levels.
Free Explore: High Street Back Lanes
Use the morning to duck down side alleys and courtyards off the High Street, discovering small gardens, mural walls, and quiet seating corners.
Glastonbury Goddess Temple & Courtyard
Visit the Goddess Temple area (respectfully and briefly) and then relax in the small, greenery-filled courtyard spaces nearby.
Quiet Night In at Your B&B
Spend the evening reading, journaling, or sorting photos in your leafy room or garden, listening to countryside sounds.
Full-Day Stonehenge and Avebury Tour from Glastonbury
Join a small-group tour (pre-booked) that departs from central Glastonbury and takes you to Avebury Stone Circle and Stonehenge, returning in the evening.
Short Night Walk Near Your Stay
If you still have energy, take a five- to ten-minute loop around your street to enjoy the quiet countryside air.
Somerset Levels Edge Walk (From Town)
Take a gentle walk from town out toward the flatter Somerset Levels, following quiet lanes and footpaths; keep to marked rights of way and turn back when you feel like it.
Free Afternoon in Chalice Well Area
If you kept your ticket, pop back into the gardens briefly or simply walk the quiet lane, noticing flowers, trees, and how different it feels at a new time of day.
Evening Journaling at a Café or Your Garden
Reflect on the week so far, maybe with herbal tea, in a quiet corner or in your accommodation’s garden if available.
Optional Side Trip to Wells (Self-Guided)
Catch the local bus to Wells (about 30 minutes) and explore the cathedral, Bishop’s Palace gardens, and moat with swans before returning to Glastonbury later.
Return to Glastonbury & Free Time
Head back by bus and enjoy unscheduled time—maybe revisiting a favorite shop or simply resting at your B&B.
Night Photography Around St John’s Church
Take a few photos of the softly lit church and quiet streets before heading to bed.
Last-Minute Shopping & Souvenirs
Pick up any last crystals, books, or locally made crafts, and say goodbye to favorite shops.
Pack Up and Travel from Glastonbury
Check out, walk or taxi to your departure point, and enjoy the last countryside views as you leave.
Good to Know
8 picks
Halal Food Strategy: Go Fully Vegetarian
In a small English town like Glastonbury, you’re unlikely to find fully halal-certified restaurants; instead, treat all meals out as vegetarian-only, double-checking that dishes are free from pork, meat broths, lard, gelatin, and alcohol in cooking. Look for clearly labeled vegetarian or vegan options and don’t hesitate to ask staff specific questions like, “Is there any wine or meat stock in this?”
Cash vs Card in Small Towns
Most cafés and shops in Glastonbury accept cards, but some small vendors and donation-based spaces may prefer cash. Withdraw a modest amount once at the start of the trip and keep small notes and coins handy for bus fares, church donations, and small treats.
Layered Clothing for Unpredictable Weather
Somerset weather can shift from sunny to chilly and wet in an hour, especially on exposed spots like the Tor. Pack a light waterproof jacket, a thin warm layer, and comfortable walking shoes that can handle damp grass so you can stay outside comfortably without having to run back to your room.
Using Local Buses and Taxis
Public buses link Glastonbury with Wells and other nearby towns, but they don’t run very late; check return times earlier in the day. Taxis are limited, so if you need one (e.g., from Middlewick Cottages), book it at least a few hours in advance or ask your accommodation to arrange it.
Respectful Behavior at Sacred Sites
Places like Chalice Well, the Tor, and the Goddess Temple are spiritually significant to many; speak quietly, follow posted requests (like no photography in some areas), and avoid loud phone use or music. Even if the beliefs aren’t yours, treating them like active places of worship keeps the experience calm for everyone.
Connectivity and Offline Prep
With no connectivity planned, download offline maps of Glastonbury and surrounding areas before you arrive, and save key addresses (accommodation, bus stop, main sights). Print or screenshot tour confirmations and bus timetables so you aren’t dependent on mobile data.
Booking Tours and Tickets in Advance
For the Stonehenge/Avebury daytrip and potentially Chalice Well at busier times, pre-book your tickets or at least check availability a few days ahead; for most cafés and everyday sights, you can just walk in without reservations.
Pace Yourself on Hills and Footpaths
The walk up Glastonbury Tor is short but can be steep and slippery if wet; take your time, use handrails where available, and bring water. On countryside paths, watch for mud, uneven ground, and livestock, closing any gates you pass through.
Map
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