Glastonbury is a small Somerset town with an outsized mythological reputation. It draws pilgrims, pagans, and curious visitors in roughly equal measure, all drawn by the same cluster of legends: King Arthur's burial, the Holy Grail, and the mystical isle of Avalon.
The centrepiece is Glastonbury Abbey, one of England's oldest religious sites, now a peaceful ruin set in extensive grounds. According to legend, the bodies of Arthur and Guinevere were discovered here in 1191 — a claim the monks were conveniently able to make when they needed funds after a fire. Whatever its historical basis, the atmosphere is undeniably striking.
Above the town rises Glastonbury Tor, the iconic tower-topped hill visible for miles across the Somerset Levels. The climb takes about 20 minutes and the view from the top is worth every step. The Chalice Well at the tor's foot is said to be where Joseph of Arimathea hid the Holy Grail; its waters are rich in iron and run a distinctive rust-red. Just across the lane, the White Spring is its calcium-white counterpart, a Victorian water reservoir turned candle-lit pagan temple.
The high street is heavy on crystals, tarot cards, and New Age shops — which is either part of the charm or a reason to walk quickly, depending on your temperament. The town is also famous as the home of the Glastonbury Festival, held a few miles outside town at Worthy Farm.