Glastonbury Hotels
Mini guide to Glastonbury
For a small town with only 10,000 inhabitants, Glastonbury is surprisingly famous
around the world. This is largely due to the hugely popular Glastonbury Music
Festival, which takes its name from the town and attracts thousands of music lovers
every year.
The town is nestled between the Poldens Hills to the south and the Mendip Hills
to the north and sits at the foot of Glastonbury Tor, a teardrop shaped, grass
covered hill surmounted by the lone tower of St Michael's Church, which is all
that remains of the building after it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1275.
Glastonbury is also famous for its spiritual and mythical past and there are
many fascinating myths and legends surrounding the town. Situated in some peaceful
gardens is Chalice Well, a spring with red waters as a result of the water being
impregnated with iron. Legend has it that the spring sprang from where Joseph
of Aramithea buried the holy chalice that was used at the last supper; while
it is also said that Joseph founded the first Christian church in England here.
Glastonbury is also linked with Arthurian legends. The Abbey, reputed to be
the final resting place of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, was sacked in the
reign of Henry VIII and now lies in ruins. It is set in a beautiful 37-acre
park in the centre of town with two duck ponds, an orchard, a visitor's centre
and an award winning museum.
Most sites in Glastonbury are easy to reach on foot as there are many well
marked footpaths in addition to a network of ancient lanes around Glastonbury
Tor which provide some magnificent views of the surrounding hills. If you still
have energy, try following the circular Millennium Trail, which takes you to
sites of historical and architectural interest at which there are information
panels providing interesting background information.
There are several small hotels, bed and breakfasts, self catering accommodation
options and camping and caravan sites around Glastonbury.
To reach Glastonbury by car, take the A303 then follow the A37. There are numerous
coach and rail services from major UK cities to Bristol, from where you can
catch a local bus to Glastonbury. The nearest airport is Bristol International
Airport, from where a connecting bus runs to Bristol Temple Meads Station.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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