On Monday May 6th I left the B&B and headed towards Wells, Somerset. I was meeting friends Jim and Melissa in Wells in the afternoon but had enough time to visit another town I had never been to: Glastonbury. Glastonbury gives its name to the Glastonbury Festival, a music festival in the nearby town of Pilton that started the day after Jimi Hendrix died, in 1970. 

Glastonbury Tor & Michael’s Tower

Before exploring the town , I decided to hike to the top of the Glastonbury Tor. At the top is Michael’s Tower, a Grade I listed building that is The site is managed by the National Trust. The Tor is associated with Celtic mythology among other mythological and spiritual connections and in particular to King Arthur.

I descended into Glastonbury and visited the town and ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. The 15th Century Tribunal building was probably a merchant’s house and shop in the 16th century after the closure of the monastery. It’s also thought to have been the Abbey’s courthouse.

Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery that was founded in the 8th Century. It was destroyed by fire in 1184 but rebuilt and by the 14th Century it was one of the wealthiest monasteries in England.

From the 12 century the abbey has been associated with the legend of King Arthur and there is a designated spot in the abbey that is supposed to be King Arthur’s burial place.

Ride to Wells

The ride from Glastonbury to Wells was pretty short but lovely. I noticed a few seashell signs indicating the pilgrimage to Camino de Santiago.

Arriving in wells

I arrived in Wells just ahead of a thunder storm and was greeted by Jim and Melissa who were waiting for me at our hotel that overlooked Wells Cathedral.