Glastonbury Abbey
The medieval abbey ruins said to be the resting place of King Arthur. One of England's oldest abbey sites, often visited together with the Tor.
Glastonbury Abbey is said to have been founded by Joseph of Arimathea. In the Middle Ages it was one of the wealthiest abbeys in England, but after Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1539 it fell into ruin. Highlights of the grounds include the towering surviving walls of the church, the Lady Chapel, and the spot where in 1191 monks claimed to have found the graves of King Arthur and Guinevere. The well-preserved 14th-century abbot's kitchen is also here, and the grounds contain the legendary Holy Thorn tree.
Admission costs about £15, and guided tours are available. The abbey is in the town centre, about a 25-minute walk from Glastonbury Tor. It pairs well with Wells Cathedral for a day trip. From Bath, it is about 1 hour by car.
Opening hours
About 09:00–18:00 (winter until 16:00; check website)
Nearby sights
- Glastonbury Tor
- Wells Cathedral
- Cheddar Gorge
- Clifton Suspension Bridge
- SS Great Britain
- Stourhead
- Royal Crescent
- Thermae Bath Spa