Recently shown on TV as one of the “Lost Buildings of Britain”; Glastonbury Abbey was once the largest and richest abbey in England. It is also possibly the oldest! The Somerset legend has it that Joseph of Arimathea brought Jesus here and they built the original “Old Church” from wattle and daub.
It is now a magnificent, evocative and awe-inspiring ruin, set in 36 acres of peaceful parkland, ponds, and orchard and wildlife areas. There are daffodils and bluebells in the spring and in the autumn beautiful colour on our many trees. Normally the grounds are a very peaceful and tranquil place.
Come and explore 2000 years of history and legend….. also legendary burial place of King Arthur; it was here in 1191 that the monks sought and found the remains of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere. These remains were reburied in the Abbey Church in 1278 in the presence of King Edward, at Easter, in great pomp and ceremony. See our website for details of events including music, living history and craft demo’s etc this year. We have an outdoor café in the summer (June, July and August) for tea, coffee, cakes, ice-creams sandwiches and snacks.
Open all year (except Christmas Day). Open 09:00 – 18:00 (or dusk if earlier) Picnics welcomed. Private car and coach park adjacent to entrance. Group discounts. We have a new audio dramatised guide; we have a new boardwalk around the badger set in the wildlife area; and we have eleven foreign language leaflets (French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Polish, Czech, Russian and Chinese…With Portuguese, Japanese, Swedish and Danish being new for 2007. We also have a “bridge” across the Lady Chapel, which will allow those in wheelchairs and those who cannot manage steps, to view inside this building for the first time. Also don’t forget our Living History characters, who in the summer months will recount stories of the abbey’s past and how the monks used to live.
In connection with the Enjoy England Autumn 2007 campaign (September to December 2007) this offer is not valid for groups or schools.