History and Heritage

Attractions

Glastonbury Abbey

Abbey Gatehouse, Magdalene Street, BA6 9EL

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Description

Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury, Somerset is connected with legend to a degree that is unparalleled by any other abbey in England. Since Medieval times it has held legendary status as the earliest Christian foundation in Britain linked to Joseph of Arimathea and the burial place of King Arthur.
 

Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury, Somerset is an internationally renowned site attracting visitors from around the world for its history, heritage, myths and legends as well as for its spiritual enrichment and there has been a church on the site for at least 1500 years with evidence of even earlier occupation.
 
Glastonbury was the richest monastery in England at the end of the Saxon period and was second only to Westminster at the close of the middle ages.
 
Its Abbot lived in considerable splendour and wielded tremendous power with the main surviving example of this power and wealth to be found in the Abbot’s Kitchen, one of only three surviving medieval examples in the world.
 
It’s history is intertwined with English traditions; one of its Abbots – St Dunstan, wrote the Coronation words last used for the coronation of our present Queen Elizabeth II  and William Blake’s popular “Jerusalem” is said to be written about the story that a young Jesus, accompanied by Joseph of Arimathea, visited Glastonbury.
 
The Holy Thorn which grows at Glastonbury Abbey has become part of the legend of Joseph of Arimathea. According to the story when Joseph arrived in Britain he landed on the island of Avalon and climbed up Wearyall Hill, exhausted he thrust his staff into the ground and rested. By morning his staff had taken root and it grew into the miraculous thorn tree which flowers every Easter and Christmas.
 
In 1191 the monks told the world they had found the bodies of King Arthur and his Queen found on the south side of the Lady Chapel. On 19th April 1278 their remains were removed in the presence of King Edward 1 and Queen Eleanor to a black marble tomb within the abbey itself. The tomb survived until the dissolution of the abbey in 1539.
 
In 1536, during the 27th year of the reign of Henry VIII, there were over 800 monasteries, nunneries and friaries in Britain. By 1541 there were none and the last abbot of Glastonbury, Richard Whiting  was hung, drawn and quartered on Glastonbury Tor; a brutal end for a pious man.
 
Today it is a tranquil setting in which visitors can discover the stories behind Glastonbury Abbey with tours from costumed Living History presenters in the grounds; these tours are free but should be booked in advance for groups.
 
A packed events calendar brings theatre, concerts, exhibitions and workshops to the abbey grounds every year and the abbey’s spectacular Night at the Abbey which last year won a national award. School and university groups can enjoy tailor-made itineraries and there are specific activities for families too.
 
An accredited museum showcases items from the abbey’s history and gives more information about the chronology of events, archaeological finds and gives an insight into monastic life. There are 36 acres of parkland to explore with a dedicated wildlife area as well as new plans to recreate a Medieval Kitchen Garden.
 
Groups are welcomed with a pre-booked meet and greet service available too and a special rate; driver and tour guide go free.
 
A full access statement is on the abbey’s website – www.glastonburyabbey.com – along with maps in 14 different languages.
 
Find us on Facebook /GlastonburyAbbeySomerset, follow us on Twitter @Glastonburyabbe or give us a call on 01458 832267.

We look forward to meeting you

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Opening Hours

January to December

(2019 opening)
 

Pricing

Book your Glastonbury Abbey admission tickets online and save 10%!

Tickets booked online are for the date specified and can be purchased up to 6pm on the day before your visit.

An eTicket will be emailed to the email address used while placing the order. We can scan your eTickets from your device, so no need to worry about printing in advance!

Kids go free at Glastonbury Abbey!

Each paying adult can bring two children free of charge into Glastonbury Abbey all year round. This is applicable to general admission only and not ticketed events. Children must be accompanied at all times.

Online Admission Prices*:

Adults: £11
Under 16s: FREE (2 per paying adult)
Over 60s: £9.90
Students: £9.90
Additional Under 16s: £6.60

*the prices above include a voluntary donation. If you are able to Gift Aid your donation it would be greatly appreciated. A non-donation price is also available. Prices applicable to day tickets only. For group rates please see the group booking page.

Please note:

  • Refunds are not available on online tickets.
  • All members of your party must arrive at the same time.

Temporary Entrance from 9th November

Please note that a temporary entrance to the abbey is currently in place due to our Town Deal project.

 

Facilities

ACCESSIBILITY

    CATERING

      CHILDREN & INFANTS

        ESTABLISHMENT FEATURES

          KEY FEATURES

            LANGUAGES SPOKEN

              PARKING & TRANSPORT

                PAYMENT METHODS

                  PET INFORMATION

                    ROOM & UNIT FEATURES

                      SPECIALIST FEATURES

                        TOURS & DEMONSTRATIONS

                          TRAVEL & TRADE

                            • American Express accepted

                            • Blue Badge Guides admitted free

                            • Chinese printed material

                            • Czech printed material

                            • Danish printed material

                            • Dogs Accepted

                            • Dutch printed material

                            • Educational Visits Accepted

                            • Event venue

                            • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors

                            • Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors

                            • French printed material

                            • German printed material

                            • Groups accepted

                            • Guide dogs permitted

                            • Guided Tours Available for Groups

                            • In town/city centre

                            • Italian printed material

                            • Japanese printed material

                            • Maestro accepted

                            • Marketed towards families

                            • Marketed towards senior citizens

                            • MasterCard accepted

                            • Max group size

                            • Min group size

                            • On-Site café/restaurant

                            • Open All Year

                            • Open by appointment outside normal opening times

                            • Outdoor Attraction

                            • Parking (charge)

                            • Picnic Site

                            • Polish printed material

                            • Portuguese printed material

                            • Printed Material in Foreign Languages

                            • Ramp/Level Access

                            • Russian printed material

                            • Shop

                            • Spanish printed material

                            • Special group rates

                            • Sterling Travellers Cheques accepted

                            • Swedish printed material

                            • Tea / Coffee Shop

                            • TIC Staff Admitted Free

                            • Toilets

                            • Toilets for disabled visitors

                            • Visa accepted

                            Road Directions

                            From the M5 - Take Junction 23 and follow signs to Glastonbury.

                            From the M4 - Either follow M4 until the M5 exit and follow above directions, or take M4 Junction 18 (A46) and follow signs to Bath, then take the A367 towards Shepton Mallet, then the A361 to Glastonbury.

                            From the M3 - Take M3 to Junction 8 (A303), head along until you reach either the B3151 (signs to Glastonbury and Street), A37 (signs to Shepton Mallet, picking up signs to Glastonbury) or A371 (signs to Shepton Mallet, picking up signs to Glastonbury) and follow signs

                            Private car and coach park adjacent to entrance.

                            Public Transport Directions

                            The nearest train station to Glastonbury is Castle Cary (on the London Paddington to Plymouth line).

                            Alternatives are to travel to Bristol Temple Meads or Bath by train. Regular bus services operate to Glastonbury from Bristol town centre hourly via Temple Meads and from Bath to Glastonbury.
                             

                            Contact

                            Glastonbury Abbey
                            Abbey Gatehouse
                            Magdalene Street
                            Glastonbury
                            BA6 9EL
                            United Kingdom


                            T: 01458 832267

                            F: 01458 836117

                            E: info@glastonburyabbey.com

                            W: glastonburyabbey.com

                            Facebook: @GlastonburyAbbeySomerset

                            Twitter: @GlastonburyAbbe


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