Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is one of the most famous landmarks in Somerset, a naturally formed hill rising high, surrounded by the flat Somerset Levels where you can see for miles and miles around. It’s also of huge spiritual significance for many people.

The terraced hillside has been dated to Neolithic time (around the same time Stonehenge was constructed). It has a long religious history, with evidence dating back to Pagan and early Christian settlements. On the top now you will find the partial ruins of a church, which was built in the 14th century, and lasted until the demise of Glastonbury Abbey in 1539, when Henry VIII introduced The Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the churches were plundered and quarried for stone. All that survives now is the roofless St Michael’s Tower.

For our adventure to Glastonbury Tor, we parked in the town centre, on the high street, where it’s free to park on weekday evenings or Sundays. From the town centre, we followed the signs until we reached some farmland and fields around the Tor. Luckily these fields did not have any livestock in, so Bella was free to be let off the lead, but she had to go back on when we walked down Wellhouse Lane to reach one of the Tor’s entrances, as there are sheep on the hillside.

The hillside is pretty steep and the paths can be slippery if raining, so wear decent shoes. The views whilst your climbing are stunning and we couldn’t wait to reach the top. It was quite busy, and even though Bella was on the lead, about half of the dogs weren’t on their leads as they paid the sheep no attention.

Once at the top, the views are breathtaking. It’s easy to see why this peak has such a spiritual value. If you take something to sit on and bring a packed lunch, you could happily sit up for hours. We were so lucky with the weather, it was a chilly but sunny day, with the last bit of frost clinging to the grass in the shadows.

The church tower is beautiful and it’s hard to believe its hundreds of years old. After, we walked down the main path, which is a great way to walk up as the Tor looks magnificent from that angle.

After, we stopped for lunch at the amazing Excalibur Cafe, which serves plant-based goodness, and stopped by the dog friendly Glastonbury Abbey to see the monumental ruins.

 

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