Glastonbury — Secret of Avalon

Your journey begins at Glastonbury Abbey Grounds, the main entrance to this Scheduled Ancient Monument. Founded in the 7th century, this abbey was rebuilt in Gothic style after a fire in 1184, with the addition of the Lady Chapel in 1186. It is here that, according to medieval chronicles, Joseph of Arimathea is said to have planted the first Christmas tree. Archaeological excavations from 1904-1908 revealed tombs of Anglo-Saxon kings, reinforcing the historical importance of this 36-acre site, which was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. You will walk along the 220 feet of what was the nave of the abbey church, searching for the first clues for your mission.

Continuing your exploration of Glastonbury Abbey, you will pass the remains of St. Bridget's Chapel, dedicated to Saint Brigid of Ireland. Built in the 15th century on a 5th-century site, this chapel testifies to the ancient link between Glastonbury and Irish missionaries. Its ruins, partially restored during 20th-century excavations, are integrated into the walls of the former Benedictine abbey. Glastonbury High Street, an ancient medieval pilgrimage route, will then lead you to the Abbey Gatehouse, erected in 1376. This edifice, 300 meters from the main abbey entrance, is the only complete remnant of the fortifications, offering a glimpse into monastic life before Henry VIII's intervention.

Your path then leads you to the Glastonbury Thorn, located 500 meters north of Glastonbury Abbey. This sacred tree, a variety of Crataegus monogyna 'Biflora', is famous for its double blossoms that appear twice a year, in spring and at Christmas. Legend says that Joseph of Arimathea himself planted a cutting in 31 AD. Although the original tree was vandalized in 2010, a graft was replanted in 2012 at Wearyall Hill, thus perpetuating this tradition. On January 17th, the local festival celebrates its winter blooming, a special moment for discovering this symbol of Somerset's heritage and its links to the legend of Avalon.

400 meters southeast of Glastonbury Tor, you will discover Chalice Well, a sacred spring whose origins date back to the Iron Age (500 BC). Its constant flow of 550 gallons per day feeds water reddened by iron oxide, known as the 'Blood of Christ' since the 12th century. According to legend, it was in this well that Joseph of Arimathea hid the Holy Grail around 37 AD, adding a mystical dimension to the site. The Chalice Well Gardens, acquired in 1912 by the Brothers of Alice Buckton, are open to the public and provide a place of contemplation, essential for understanding the history of Glastonbury and the potential World Heritage Site of the Somerset Levels.

Finally, your quest culminates at Glastonbury Tor, a conical hill 158 meters high dominating the Somerset plain. At its summit stands St Michael's Tower, built around 1341 and partially restored after an earthquake in 1275. The seven-tiered path to the summit is a pre-Christian sacred site dedicated to Gwyn ap Nudd, and Arthurian legend identifies it as the entrance to the Otherworld of Avalon. Accessible on foot from Glastonbury Abbey in about 1 km, the Tor offers panoramic views and a deep immersion into the legends of King Arthur and Guinevere, who, according to the 1191 chronicle, were buried at the abbey. This final ascent will allow you to piece together the secret of Avalon, concluding your Glastonbury treasure hunt.