W
AT
ER
9
A3
61
A3
ID
G
WELLS
J23
GLASTONBURY
A39
A361
A361
FROME
SHEPTON
MALLET
STREET
A303
A303
ILCHESTER
ET N MALL
A39 to SHEPTO
A39 to WELLS
P
LANE
We are the only sacred site in Britain to claim to have been
continuously Christian since the first century CE.
A37
Discover the stories in
the stones that remain…
BATH
P
ABBEY
GROUNDS
RURAL LIFE
MUSEUM
BERE
If William Blake was right, Glastonbury can claim to have
been one of the places Christ visited, with his uncle Joseph of
Arimathea, a trader in tin and lead, credited with bringing sacred
relics from the Holy Land to Britain in the first century CE. Visit
the Holy Thorn tree, said to be descended from Joseph’s staff,
which flowers twice each year to recall the birth and death of
Christ and the bringing of Christianity to our islands. According
to the Somerset legend Christ himself is said to have built the first
church on this site. The Old Church now lies beneath the remains
of the Lady Chapel, to the west of the Abbey ruins.
M5
HIGH STREET
“And did those feet in ancient times walk
upon England’s mountain green?”
BRISTOL
BR
The Birthplace
of Christianity
MAGDAL
Legendary burial place
of King Arthur
Joseph is said to have brought a very
special relic with him, as he fled the
Roman persecution of the early Christian
community – the cup of the last Supper,
which has come to be known as the
Holy Grail. After a great fire here in
the 12th century a grave was
discovered which was believed to
hold the bones of King Arthur and
Queen Guinevere. Many stories
in the Arthurian cycle are set in
south-western Britain and
Brittany, and the stories of the
quest for the Holy Grail added to
these tales once the grave here
was discovered. Visit the site of
the black marble tomb, in front
of the High Altar, the last
resting place of the ‘Once
and Future King’
P
ENE STR
EET
A39
T STRE
BENEDIC
ET
ENTRANCE
Opening Times
From 9am every day of the year
except Christmas Day.
We close:
December, January
and February 4pm
March, April and May 6pm
June, July and August 8pm
September, October
and November 5pm
Address
Glastonbury Abbey
The Abbey Gatehouse
Magdalene Street
Glastonbury
Somerset
BA6 9EL
United Kingdom
Last admission half an hour
before closing time.
Visit www.glastonburyabbey.com
Call us on 01458 832267
We look forward to meeting you!
www.glastonburyabbey.com
Welcome to
Glastonbury Abbey –
the place for all four
seasons forever
This is England’s cradle of Christianity
providing sanctuary, tranquility, history
and heritage in one special place.
Here you can discover the stories, legends
and myths amid the romantic ruins so
step through the arches and be inspired,
intrigued and amazed.
Wander through
the gardens
With 36 acres of fine parkland
to enjoy, there is something for
everyone here. Meet the statue of
Sigeric in the medieval courtyard,
stroll through the cider orchard,
past two ponds, take a trip on the
wild side along the Badger
Boardwalk, and delight in the
seasonal wild flower displays
and cultivated borders.
Revel in history
Visit St Patricks
Chapel
The first stone church was built here in the 8th century, to
the east of the Vetusta Ecclesia, the old Church and the
Abbey was the richest entry in the Norman Domesday book.
After the fire in the 12th century much of the site was ruined,
and the monks had just enough money to rebuild the Lady
Chapel, on the site of the Old Church. Just before Henry 8th
ordered the destruction of the monasteries, it was once
more believed to be the second richest foundation
in the land. Henry ordered the confiscation
of all the Abbey wealth and treasures
and the last Abbot was hanged on
Glastonbury Tor in 1539.
Imagine the times of
yesteryear with the help
of our Living History
guides who will explain
the medieval lifestyle –
March to October.
Sense the
Spiritual
ity
This 14th century almshouse
chapel has been recently restored
and refurbished to show some of
the skills of a medieval abbey,
with murals and stained glass
showing the story of the
development of the Benedictine
Abbey. Weekly services and
concerts are held here.
Enjoy the
sensations this
unique jewel
creates for you
mer
Taste the sum fe as you
ca
delights of our
resque
enjoy the pictu ’s 36
bey
view of the Ab
nd or
acres of Parkla
picnic
bring your own
Cafe and shop
Lookout for our summer café in
the grounds selling fine West
Country ice creams, teas and
coffees as well as home made
cakes. The Abbey shop stocks
a wide range of gifts and
souvenirs as well as bottles
of cider made from the
apples in our orchard.
Smell the flowers which
bloom throughout the year
from the start of spring with
snowdrops and crocus
Come to our demonstrations and
events – ask at the ticket office or catch
up at www.glastonburyabbey.com