There are many places that draw people in their thousands, many again in England, but for myself, nowhere has quite the same allure as the beautiful old Village of Glastonbury, in Somerset, England.
Glastonbury is home to the famous Glastonbury Abbey, now an ancient ruin, having been systematically demolished over time during the Disollution, from the year 1539, when the Abbey was seized under the orders of King Henry the VIII.
Had the Abbey still stood today, at a length of 181 meters, it would have been one of the largest of its kind in the whole of Europe and the British Isles. After the seizure and the execution of Abbot Whiting for treason against the King, the Abbey was used as the local quarry, which explains why there is so little remaining today.
Entry is via the gateway on Magdalene Street, and is very close to the village center. There is plenty of parking adjacent to the entrance, allowing for buses and motor homes.
There is a museum on site, full of wondrous information, photos, sketches and relics from the site, as well as a shop with many gifts for you to choose from.
As a Charity, the entry fee and profit from all goods sold helps upkeep the Abbey and its surrounding grounds. This is the Charity's only form of income.
Of immense interest are the supposed burial sites of whom we have come to know as King Arthur and his Queen, Guinevere. The original site is said to have been discovered by monks in 1191, and the royals' remains were reburied in another site on the Abbey grounds in 1278, with King Edward the 1st and Queen Elanor in attendance.
The tomb was lost after the Dissolution but rediscovered as recently as 1934.
Both the original and subsequent burial sites are marked with plaques.
It's quite something to walk in the footsteps of legend.
Also inside the grounds enclosure is a Holy Thorn, an ancient Hawthorn tree that grows behind St Patrick's Chapel, near the entrance. It is said that a Holy Thorn sprang from the staff of Joseph of Arimathea. While traveling England, he paused to rest at Wearyall Hill, driving his staff into the ground, where it miraculously took root. Stranger still, the tree bloomed at Christmas time. It is said that seedlings from this original tree have appeared about the countryside of Glastonbury - and that the Holy Thorn within the Abbey grounds is one of these.
I was fortunate to have a beautiful late summer's day for my voyage through time. Along with friends, we took many photos as we wandered about the ruins, and we ate a picnic lunch while overlooking the length of the Abbey, from the rear of the site. There are wooden bench seats dotted about the grounds, and mature - nay, ancient trees with which to shelter from the sun while admiring the views.
It really is a beautifully peaceful place to visit.
If you've heard of Glastonbury, then you must surely have heard of the Tor - the strangely shaped high hilltop that overlooks the entire village, and can be seen for miles around in all directions. On it's back sits the Tor Tower - what remains of a smaller church that once stood there.
It is a powerful sight in any weather, and has been the subject of millions of photos, paintings and sketches for hundreds of years. It draws people like moths to a flame - it has such an aura about it. Its irresistible pull is un-mistakenly spiritual, yet not necessarily religious in any way, but powerful nonetheless. I have seen strangers sitting on the hilltop with tears of joy in their eyes, while others breath in the deep peace that seems to permeate the site.
There are 7 tracks carved into the hillside - these are part of the Tor Maze or Labyrinth, and many a soul has made a pilgrimage by following these tracks as they wind their way around the Tor, gradually bringing the pilgrim to the tower at the top.
If visiting Glastonbury, a climb to the top of the Tor is a must if weather allows, however, for those not keen or fit enough, there is an easier walk from the carpark off Wellhouse Lane.
There are several other attractions; the Chalice Well, which supplied the majority of fresh water to the village until the 1920's, and is said to have "restorative powers", has drawn thousands to flock to the spring waters for its supposed healing properties.
Over the centuries there have been many documented cases of "medical miracles", however there is yet to be a scientifically proven report as to the water's powers of healing. The very powerful belief in the healing properties could be the major factor in these miraculous healings. We all know how unfailing faith can be a powerful thing.
Lastly but not least, Glastonbury Village itself is a quaint and inviting place to wander about. Moving from one end of the main street to the other in as little as ten minutes, it is filled with interesting shops catering to the tourist trade and spiritually minded. There are several shops selling crystals and rocks, hand made jewelery and trinkets, cards and books on all manner of things. Some outlets also cater for the new age Wicca - for believers of the old pagan rituals and ways of life. There are spell books and crystal wands, rune stones and ritual costumes to be found, as well as meditation books, music and trivia.
There are several second hand bookshops, where the well-read traveler can spend hours perusing the shelves for hidden treasure of the literary kind, and still more clothing and nic-nac shops to appease any taste. Everywhere you look there is some form of artwork in various stages of creation, and still more to be found for sale. The whole Village is alive with colour and music, tasty treats and warm mid-summer scents. Admiring the local cottage gardens, the old stone buildings and walls, and the bountiful hanging flower baskets - you cannot fail to admit that Glastonbury is a beautiful place. You can almost believe that elves and fairies are hiding and giggling at us as we pass them by.
After a hot afternoon's hike up to the Tor, along with my friends, we stopped into one of the many sidewalk pubs - and straight through to the garden bar situated out back, for an iced tea and scones - complete with large dollops of jam and cream. We felt spoilt after our exercise, but it was a welcome fill-up for our empty tummies.
That hill really is quite a climb! But if you ever find yourself passing through, make the effort to experience the sights and sounds, tastes and scents of this lovely Somerset Village.
