Glastonbury Travel Guide

City City in England, known for Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury’s landscape is dominated by the Tor and the ruins of the Abbey, magnetizing walkers and those interested in pilgrimage traditions. Day-trippers browse alternative shops, drink Somerset cider and climb to panoramic views over the Somerset Levels.

Costs

Moderate UK small-town budget

Budget about $100-$140 per day depending on season and lodging.

Safety

Generally safe

Generally safe; watch typical late-night rural anti-social behaviour.

Best Time

May-September

Late spring to early autumn for Tor climbs and festivals.

In This Guide

Why Visit Glastonbury?
Top Things to Do
Plan Your Visit
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Time

—

Weather

—

Population

8,471

Infrastructure & Convenience

Small town with limited buses, very walkable centre, tourist signage present.

Popularity

Popular with pilgrims, alternative-spirituality tourists and festival-goers.

Known For

Glastonbury Tor, Abbey ruins, Arthurian legend, Chalice Well, alternative spirituality, music festival culture, pilgrimage, independent shops, organic cafés

Glastonbury Festival is famously associated with the town but the actual festival site is in nearby Pilton, not Glastonbury itself.

Why Visit Glastonbury? #

Perched among Somerset hills, this town attracts pilgrims and festival-goers alike with the iconic Glastonbury Tor, the atmospheric Abbey ruins and the Chalice Well gardens. Myth and music meet here: the Glastonbury Festival draws global crowds while local shops and spiritual centers sell artisan crafts and pagan-inspired art. Come for the folklore of Avalon, stroll its narrow lanes, and taste hearty Cornish pasties and cream tea in cozy tearooms.

Top Things to Do in Glastonbury

All Attractions ›

Roman Baths (Bath)

Well-preserved Roman bathing complex and museum

Historical Site

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

City museum and art gallery with local history exhibits

Museum

Montacute House

Elizabethan country house with formal gardens and interiors

Museum

Wells Cathedral

12th-century cathedral in Wells, notable medieval architecture

Church

Glastonbury Tor

Prominent hill with St Michael's Tower and myths

Hill

Glastonbury Abbey

Ruined medieval abbey associated with Arthurian legends

Religious Site

Ashton Gate Stadium

Bristol stadium hosting football and rugby union matches.

Stadium

SS Great Britain

Restored 19th-century transatlantic steamship, museum in Bristol

Museum

Don't Miss

Glastonbury Tor - Climb Tor for panoramic countryside views and the ruins of St. Michael's Tower.
Glastonbury Abbey - Visit the abbey ruins where legend links King Arthur and early Christianity.
Chalice Well and Gardens - Walk serene gardens around the Chalice Well, famed for spring and contemplative atmosphere.

Hidden Gems

Wearyall Hill - Stop at Wearyall Hill for quieter views and mythic local legends about Avalon.
Glastonbury Thorn - See the Glastonbury Thorn, a thorn tree with medieval legends and seasonal blossoms.
Glastonbury Museum - Explore local archaeology and folklore exhibits at the small Glastonbury Museum on Magdalene Street.

Day Trips

Wells - Visit Wells Cathedral and Bishops' Palace in England's smallest city, compact and historic.
Bath - Experience Roman baths, Georgian architecture, and lively streets in nearby Bath's compact centre.
Cheddar Gorge - Drive to Cheddar Gorge for dramatic cliffs, showcaves, and cliff-top walking routes.

Best Time to Visit Glastonbury #

Aim for late spring through summer to enjoy drier weather, the Tor, and festival vibes. Winters are wet and muddy, and many outdoor plans are best avoided then.

Winter

December - February · 1 to 7°C (34-45°F)

Cold, damp days with frequent drizzle and mud; mystical Tor looks atmospheric, but short daylight and reduced opening hours make winter less convenient for sightseeing.

Spring

March - May · 6 to 15°C (43-59°F)

Early spring is pleasant: wildflowers on the levels, fewer crowds, but expect unpredictable showers and muddy trails still after rain.

Summer

June - August · 15 to 24°C (59-75°F)

Best time for festival energy and Tor hikes; warm, relatively dry days, but busy weekends and occasional heavy rain can make fields muddy.

Best Time to Visit Glastonbury #

Climate

Glastonbury's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 2°C to 21°C. Moderate rainfall (804 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit

JulyMayAugust

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

33°

Warmest Month

-8°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

44 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

94%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

83 mm

Rainfall

4.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.2h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

5°

Feels Like Cold

5°C

Temperature

2° – 8°

92%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

60 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

9.8h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

7°

Feels Like Cold

7°C

Temperature

3° – 10°

89%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

63 mm

Rainfall

4.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 13°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

50 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

7° – 16°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

55 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.1

UV Index

High

15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

15°

Feels Like Cool

15°C

Temperature

10° – 19°

81%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

61 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.4

UV Index

High

16.3h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

68 Good

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

12° – 21°

78%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

54 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

66 Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

12° – 21°

80%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

65 mm

Rainfall

3.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.0

UV Index

High

14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

64 Good

Comfort

14°

Feels Like Cool

14°C

Temperature

10° – 18°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

72 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.7

UV Index

Moderate

12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

54 Acceptable

Comfort

11°

Feels Like Cool

11°C

Temperature

7° – 15°

88%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

76 mm

Rainfall

3.5 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

10.5h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

8°

Feels Like Cold

8°C

Temperature

4° – 11°

93%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

78 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.7h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 9°C and lows of 3°C. The wettest month with 87 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

52 Acceptable

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

3° – 9°

95%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

87 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.0

UV Index

Low

7.7h daylight

How to Get to Glastonbury

Glastonbury doesn't have its own train station - nearest rail access is Castle Cary or Taunton with a short onward bus or taxi. Bristol Airport is the most convenient airport for most travellers, with onward connections by bus, train and taxi.

By Air

Bristol Airport (BRS): The airport is the closest with regular scheduled flights. Take the Airport Flyer A1/A2 to Bristol Temple Meads (about 30 minutes, typical fare £8-12), then continue to Glastonbury by train/bus or taxi; total travel time to Glastonbury is usually 1-1.5 hours depending on connections.

London Heathrow (LHR) / London airports: From London you can take a National Express coach to Taunton or Yeovil (journeys 3-4 hours, fares vary widely) and then local bus/taxi to Glastonbury; this is a longer but workable option if flying into London.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no current station in Glastonbury; the nearest mainline stations are Castle Cary (Great Western Railway) and Taunton. Castle Cary is commonly used for festival or event travel - onward taxi or bus takes you the final 20-25 minutes (train fares from Bristol/Taunton to Castle Cary typically £6-25 depending on advance purchase).

Bus: Regular local buses and coaches link Glastonbury with Taunton, Yeovil and Bridgwater; short local bus rides into town cost around £2-5 and take 15-45 minutes depending on origin. Taxis are often the easiest last-mile option from Castle Cary or Taunton.

How to Get Around Glastonbury #

Glastonbury is small and easily explored on foot - the Tor, High Street and nearby sites are all walkable. The nearest mainline rail access is Castle Cary (serving the town by infrequent connecting buses or taxis), so many visitors arrive by train + bus or by car. Local buses and taxis serve the surrounding Somerset villages; fares are modest (a few pounds for local bus rides).

Where to Stay in Glastonbury #

Budget

Town centre / Chalice Hill - £30-90/night

Glastonbury has several small B&Bs and a hostel for budget travellers. Limited cheap hotels, especially during festival season-book well in advance.

Glastonbury B&B - Cosy rooms, central walking access
YHA Glastonbury (hostel) - Budget dorms and private rooms

Mid-Range

High Street / Abbey grounds - £90-160/night

Mid-range guesthouses and small boutique hotels around the High Street provide comfortable stays with easy access to Glastonbury Tor.

The Old House Lodge - Comfortable rooms in historic building
Somerset Lodge - Boutique feel, handy for High Street

Luxury

Countryside around Glastonbury - £160+/night

Glastonbury itself has very few full-service luxury hotels; higher-end country-house hotels are found in nearby Somerset countryside.

Nearby country house hotels (nearby) - Luxury country-house stays a drive away
The Almonry (luxury B&B nearby) - Premium rooms in a converted building

Where to Eat in Glastonbury #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Glastonbury's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Sandwich

Fish & Chips

Indian

Italian

Kebab

Pizza

British

Chicken

Chinese

Asian

Grill

Local

Pasty

Bakery

Burger

Nightlife in Glastonbury #

Outside the festival period, Glastonbury’s nightlife is quiet but cosy - a handful of traditional pubs and occasional live-music nights in town. The famous Glastonbury Festival dominates the town’s reputation; at other times evenings are low-key and mainly pub-based.

Shopping in Glastonbury #

Glastonbury’s High Street and small lanes are full of independent, New Age and artisan shops. Expect crystals, metaphysical goods, secondhand clothing and locally made crafts rather than big-brand stores. Small cafés and galleries double as places to buy local art and spiritual items.