glastonbury tor to stonehenge uk pilgrimage

#Glastonbury tor to stonehenge uk pilgrimage full#

Soon after is Warleigh Weir, a popular wild-swimming spot (which, in summer, is often busy). After touching the stone font at Bath Abbey, one is on the way along the canal.

#Glastonbury tor to stonehenge uk pilgrimage full#

And, while nothing beats the full experience, it can also be split and walked at a contemplative pace in three two-day sections: Bath to Frome, with an overnight stay at Freshford Frome to Wells, overnight at Doulting and Wells to Glastonbury, overnight at Glastonbury, allowing a day to look around, including the half-day loop to visit Wearyall Hill and Bride’s Mound.īATH is a natural place to start this pilgrimage: the thermal springs come from deep in the earth to relax the body and prepare the muscles for walking. Its 55 miles offers five or six inspiring days of watery contemplation and encounter. This route, devised in 2020 by the British Pilgrimage Trust (BPT) to provide a modern pilgrimage route in Somerset, links the ancient holy springs of Bath, via rivers and streams, to the mineral outflows at the foot of Glastonbury Tor, a place of pilgrimage for more than 10,000 years. Sacred waters, prehistoric monuments, a cathedral, and exotic Christian folklore: the Glastonbury Water Way has it all.

Whatever draws visitors to Glastonbury, it certainly makes a memorable day out and is one of The National Trust's oldest and most unique sites.Glastonbury Water Way – Bath, Frome, Wells & Glastonbury – 55 miles – 6 days. The area is also said to have strange lights from time to time and is considered an area of great spiritual power. The ley lines link several ancient sites connected to St Michael and St George following the same azimuth or arc as the May-day sun. New Age believers interested in ley lines which are said to have magnetic power and psychic energy, will also be interested to know that Glastonbury Tor is the centre for the convergence of many such lines which criss-cross the globe. The same circular design has been found on Cretan coins and along the paths leading up to Tintagel Castle, the home of King Arthur. Certainly the hill appears to have been shaped by man over the centuries. Other ideas are that they were part of an ancient seven-circuit labyrinth which may have been created for spiritual purposes. Those venturing up the slopes of Glastonbury Tor will notice unnatural carved terraces on the hillside which may have been created for agricultural purposes long ago. The bones were re-buried in a black marble tomb which can be seen at nearby Glastonbury Abbey. The idea was further substantiated by the discovery of the 12th century graves of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere near the hill, reviving the idea that Glastonbury Tor was the mysterious 'Isle of Avalon'. Perhaps more exciting and unique is the legend that the Holy Grail, the cup from the Last Supper, was brought to Glastonbury by Joseph of Arimathea after the crucifixion of Christ and hidden in the area. A stone circle, similar to Stonehenge, may also once have stood on the crest of this 500-foot high hill. Neolithic tools and the remains of a 5th century fort have also been excavated. It would have been accessed by a boardwalk or causeway at low tide and the remains of the Sweet Track found here date back to 3800BC.Ī steady climb up one of the pathways to the summit of Glastonbury Tor brings hikers to the partially restored church of St Michael.

Plain of the River Brue making Glastonbury Tor stand as an island amidst the marches.