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Glastonbury Town History

Glastonbury's early history is linked with it's dominant landmark, the Tor. In days gone by, when the Somerset plain was a watery wilderness, this island refuge attracted settlers; first primitive peoples, then Romans, then Saxons - as recalled in the town's original name, Glaestingaburgh, meaning "hill-fort of the Glaestings". Meanwhile the Isle was also developing as a religious centre; legend claims Joseph of Arimathea - with the Holy Grail - and later St.Patrick, both came to Glastonbury. Fact shows there was a Celtic monastery here by 500AD which, during the next 1000 years evolved into one of England's wealthiest and most influential abbeys.

The town itself grew up alongside the Abbey, and inevitable suffered hardship at the time of the Dissolution. It survived however, and by the 18th century had received a charter and set up industries such as tanning and making stockings. During the 1800s the construction of a canal and then a railway temporarily boosted Glastonbury as a trading centre. Today it is both a thriving market town and a major tourist venue, welcoming thousands of visitors each year.
 

Medieval Glastonbury - designated a conservation area - clusters around the evocative ruins of the Abbey which following a disastrous fire in 1184, dates mostly from the 13th and 14th centuries.The town's many other historic buildings include the George & Pilgrim's Hotel,  founded in the 1300s as an Inn for pilgrims; the Tribunal, thought to have been a 15th century Merchants house and now the Glastonbury Lake Village Museum and Tourist Information Centre; The Perpendicular style parish church of St.John, famous for its tower, spacious interior and bush of Glastonbury Thorn; St. Benedict's, an early 16th century church originally dedicated to the Irish Saint Benignus, who allegedly followed St.Patrick to Somerset; Tudor almshouses; the Abbey Barn, now the Somerset Rural Life Museum ; and the 1754 Pump House, a reminder of the town's brief career as a spa. Also of interest and steeped in legend is the Chalice Well, an ancient spring at the foot of the Tor; and Wearyall Hill, reputedly where Joseph of Arimathea first landed.

In addition to its many historic assets Glastonbury has an attractive range of hotels and restaurants.

Glastonbury is a special market town. With through traffic now by-passing the town centre, and with more than adequate 'central parking', shopping in Glastonbury is a pleasurable experience. The town boasts many different and interesting shops. Many are independent specialists in their field, offering good old-fashioned service.