Day Trip to Glastonbury and Wells, England
I took a day trip using public buses to Glastonbury and Wells from Bath, England.
Glastonbury: Magdalene St, Glastonbury BA6 9EL
Wills: Cathedral Grn, Wells BA5 2UE
It takes two buses from Bath to go to Glastonbury. The first bus stops at Wells, another destination for this trip. I visited Wells on the return trip.
The bus stopped at the entrance to Glastonbury Abbey next to the tourist information center.
A little information center on the abbey
Glastonbury Abbey is believed to be one of the oldest Christian sanctuaries in England and holds significant religious and historical importance. According to legend, the abbey was founded in the 1st century by Joseph of Arimathea, who is said to have brought the Holy Grail to England and buried it in the vicinity of Glastonbury.
The abbey gained prominence during the medieval period and became a center of pilgrimage. It was renowned for its rich architecture and the wealth of its monastic community. However, in 1536, during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII, Glastonbury Abbey was dissolved, and much of the abbey’s buildings were destroyed.
Looking back
Glastonbury Abbey is also associated with Arthurian legend, with the mythical Isle of Avalon believed to be located nearby. The abbey grounds include the purported burial site of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere.
A small separate building
This was one a long church
Looking back
Looking toward the altar
King Arthur’s Tomb
High Altar
Looking back
Walking back toward the entrance
Exiting
Walking around the town center
Going back to the abbey
At the parking lot of the tourist information center, a shuttle is available that takes people to the bottom of the Tor (the hill).
Glastonbury Tor is a conical hill that rises about 158 meters (518 feet) above the surrounding Somerset Levels. It is topped by the remains of St. Michael’s Tower, a medieval stone structure that stands as a landmark visible from miles around.
Looking back
The tor has been a place of pilgrimage and spiritual significance for centuries. It is believed to have been an ancient sacred site even before the Christian era. According to legend, the tor is associated with various mythological and historical events. It is often connected to the myth of Avalon, the legendary island of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake.
Walking down the tor
The city of Wills. I took a bus from Gladstone to Wills on the way back to Bath.
Walking toward the city center where Wills Abbey is located
Looking back
The main town squre in front of the abbey
Looking at a side street
The altar side of the church was blocked because there were choir practices, so only the back of the church was pictured.
Back to the square
Next to the abbey is the Bishop’s Palace & Gardens
Entrance to a side garden
The entrance to Palace Rooms
On the left
On the right is a chapel
Inside the chapel
Entering Palace Rooms
Viewing the hall from one side
Entering an inner room
Back to the hallway
To upstairs
Walking around the town of Wills
Looking at a side street
Looking back
