Glastonbury — Last Days of Avalon

Your quest begins at Glastonbury Market Cross, erected in 1838 to replace a 14th-century medieval cross destroyed in 1775. This 10-meter high landmark, made of local limestone, marks the vibrant heart of Glastonbury and its weekly market since the Middle Ages. It is here, in the center of High Street, that rumors and legends have been passed down through generations, from pilgrims to merchants, shaping the history of this Somerset town, often associated with Arthurian tales. The Market Cross is a key monument for understanding the urban evolution of Glastonbury.

Continue towards the George and Pilgrims Hotel, a Grade I listed building constructed around 1465. This inn served as a refuge for pilgrims visiting Glastonbury Abbey, sometimes hosting royal visitors. Its Tudor facade, with exposed timber framing, spans 20 meters long and 10 meters wide, bearing witness to late medieval architecture. This legendary Arthurian site is an anchor in Glastonbury's history, offering a glimpse into the lives of travelers and dignitaries who walked these grounds over five centuries ago. The hotel is a living remnant of the pilgrimages to the abbey.

Your path then leads you to Glastonbury Abbey, a site founded in 712 by Saxon monks, but destroyed in 1539 during the dissolution of monasteries by Henry VIII. The ruins cover 14 hectares, and the main church measured 84 meters long before its destruction. It was here, in 1191, that the tombs of King Arthur and Guinevere were supposedly exhumed, cementing the site in legend. Nearby, St Patrick's Chapel, a 10th-century Saxon chapel measuring 15m x 8m, integrated into the ruins, is dedicated to the 5th-century Irish bishop and preserves remnants of Romanesque frescoes. This Somerset heritage is a dive into medieval monastic ruins.

As you head towards St John's Church, you discover a parish church built between 1832 and 1834 in a Gothic Revival style, replacing an earlier structure. Its 30-meter high tower, visible from High Street less than 500 meters from the Market Cross, contains 19th-century commemorative stained-glass windows linked to Glastonbury's local history. Not far, the Glastonbury Tribunal, a 15th-century building (circa 1450) listed Grade I, served as a medieval courthouse and local prison until the 17th century. Its upper hall measuring 8m x 6m testifies to Glastonbury's legal importance. These Somerset monuments illustrate the town's rich architectural and legal heritage.

Your exploration concludes at Chalice Well, a natural spring active since at least 1200 BC, dating back to the Iron Age. The ferrous water flows red at a constant rate of 5-10 liters/minute, a phenomenon scientifically explained by mineral deposits. Legend has it that the Grail was hidden here by Joseph of Arimathea. By exploring Glastonbury, you have traversed millennia of history, from the legendary Arthurian site to medieval monastic ruins, passing through Tudor and Gothic edifices. This Somerset thematic circuit has allowed you to unravel the threads between myth and history, revealing the depth of Glastonbury's heritage and its central role in British narratives. An interactive visit to understand Glastonbury's monuments and history.