Why Glastonbury is the Strangest, Most Magical Place in Britain (and 6 Reasons to Go)

I’ll be honest with you… Glastonbury isn’t like anywhere else in Britain. Possibly anywhere else on Earth! In fact, we believe it is one of the strangest, most magical places in Britain. From our perspective as locals with a wonderful view of Glastonbury Tor from our land, there are definitely more than 6 reasons to visit, however, here at Tor View Shepherds Huts, we have summarised our top 6 to whet your appetite.

There’s a moment that happens to almost every guest who stays here. They’ve unpacked, they’ve settled into the hut, they’re sitting outside with a drink watching the sun drop behind Glastonbury Tor in the distance, and they experience a rare quiet. The kind where you realise you’ve been holding your breath for weeks without knowing it, and you’ve only just let it go. It’s quite magical, and that’s just the beginning of what this corner of Somerset has to offer.

I’m Phil, and together with Amanda, I run Tor View Shepherds Huts, two little luxury cabin hideaways perched up on the Mendip Hills, with the most extraordinary view of Glastonbury Tor you’ve ever seen. We’ve been welcoming guests here for years, and many of them ask the same question before they arrive: “So… what’s Glastonbury Town and the Tor actually like?”

I was born on the Summer Solstice, 21st June, so perhaps it was written in the stars that I’d end up living just a stone’s throw from one of the most mystical places in the world. Whether you’re a true believer in the legends, a curious sceptic, or simply someone who fancies a good walk with a great story attached to it, Glastonbury has a way of getting under your skin.

So we’ve put together this little guide to the mystical places we have in abundance here. Those places that will make you feel something, even if you can’t quite explain what. From ancient springs to buried kings, fairy realms to zodiac patterns hidden in the landscape… welcome to my corner of Somerset. It’s a strange and wonderful place, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

6 Magical Things to Do in Glastonbury That Will Stay With You Long After You Leave

1) Glastonbury Tor

Long before the Festival, Glastonbury attracted visitors to its Tor, for centuries a spiritual draw for both Pagans and Christians.

The hill is 158 metres (518 feet) above the surrounding flat land, and once you reach the top, you are rewarded with a 360-degree view. The Tor Tower, managed by the National Trust, is all that remains of the 14th-century church of St Michael, which had itself replaced a church destroyed by an earthquake.

Many myths and legends about the Tor exist.  Some say that it contains a hidden cave through which you can pass into the fairy realm of Annwn and find the lord of the Celtic underworld, whilst others believe that it is the location of the Holy Grail and was visited by King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table.

Whether you believe these tales or just fancy a strenuous walk, Glastonbury Tor is one to put on your visiting list!

2) The White Spring

You won’t have to venture far for our next destination, as it is located at the foot of the Tor. There are two springs rising from the caverns below the Tor, one touched red with iron, the other white with calcite. A Victorian Well House consisting of three domed 16ft vaults is a temple to The White Spring, and with a constant temperature and the sound of flowing water, is spiritual indeed.

3) Chalice Well

Situated near the Tor is the location of the red spring, Chalice Well.  This ancient holy well, surrounded by a beautiful World Peace Garden, has been a place of pilgrimage for thousands of years. The garden surrounding the well is made up of ‘rooms’ that each have different qualities, features, and plantings.

Chalice Well observes a Silent Minute every day at 12 pm and 3 pm to offer energy together for the highest good. The Silent Minute began in 1917 when Tudor Pole was about to go into battle, as he understood that this silence creates a united and harmonious channel through which strength and guidance can pass, and it’s still observed by many people across the World today.

4) Glastonbury Abbey

Unsurprisingly, given its proximity to the Tor and Chalice Well, Glastonbury Abbey is also surrounded by legend. Since Medieval times, the abbey has been regarded as the earliest Christian foundation in Britain linked to Joseph of Arimathea,  and some people believe that the Holy Thorn tree in the grounds originated from the staff he carried.

The Abbey is also widely believed to be the burial place of King Arthur. Following a fire which destroyed most of the Abbey, the monks of Glastonbury announced the discovery of his body and that of Queen Guinevere, which helped attract much-needed funding to rebuild. On completion, their bones were reburied in a ceremony attended by royalty.

It is certainly worth a visit and a great place to walk, as it is set on 36 acres! If you book a stay with us at Tor View Shepherds Huts, we can tell you the best places to visit locally and the times when the crowds are thinnest. You’ll even get your own personal hot tub with views across the fields towards Glastonbury Tor and town.

5) The Glastonbury Goddess Temple

Linked to beliefs surrounding the sacred Isle of Avalon, the Glastonbury Goddess Temple is dedicated to the worship of the indigenous British Goddess in all of Her many manifesting forms and was founded in the 1980s.

6) Buy crystals in Glastonbury High Street

Although it’s not the place to visit for DIY products (there’s a B&Q near the town if you need those!), it shouldn’t surprise you to learn that Glastonbury IS the place to come for crystals. Crystals are thought by many to promote the flow of good energy and help remove negative energy, so in a place full of myth, legend and alternative lifestyles, they are a natural fit.

There are several outlets in the High Street offering crystals and crystal-based products for sale, take a walk and it won’t take you long to find one!

If you want to make your visit into something special and book a base with a view of the Tor while you take the time to explore everything the area around Glastonbury Town has to offer, take a look at Ted and Len… our handcrafted shepherds huts, which are very close to our hearts. Take a look here…