Glastonbury 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.
At a GlanceKey facts, why go and what's on now
Glastonbury at a Glance#
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.
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.
Things to DoTop sights, bucket list and day trips
Best Things to Do in Glastonbury#
Glastonbury Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
Nearby Cities #
When to GoSeasons, weather and festivals
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 83 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 60 mm | overcast | 92% | 4.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 4° | 63 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.1 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 4° - 13° | 6° | 50 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 7° - 16° | 12° | 55 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 10° - 19° | 15° | 61 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.3 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 54 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.3 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.9h |
| August | Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 65 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 72 mm | overcast | 82% | 3.3 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 76 mm | overcast | 88% | 3.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 6° | 78 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 3° | 87 mm | overcast | 95% | 4.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
Getting There & AroundAirports, trains and local transport
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.
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.
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#
Getting to Glastonbury typically means a train to Castle Cary or Taunton and then a short bus or taxi - Bristol Airport provides the best air access. Once in town, walking and local buses cover most needs; taxis are useful for late arrivals or if you have luggage.
- National Rail to Castle Cary / Taunton (£6-25) - Use Great Western Railway services to Castle Cary or Taunton and then a short taxi/bus to Glastonbury. Trains are comfortable and reliable; check arrival times to match the limited onward bus services.
- Local bus (£2-5) - Local buses serve Glastonbury from surrounding towns (Bridgwater, Taunton, Yeovil). Frequencies are reasonable on weekdays but reduced evenings/weekends-always check the timetable. Tickets are cheap and bought on board.
- Taxi / Private transfer (£20-45) - The quickest and most convenient way to finish the journey from Castle Cary or Taunton, especially with luggage or at odd hours. Pre‑book for events (e.g., festival) as availability can be constrained.
- Coach (National Express / Megabus) (£10-30) - Long‑distance coaches provide budget links from major cities (including London) to Taunton/Bridgwater. Journey times are longer than trains but can be cheaper when booked in advance.
- Cycle (£0-15 (hire)) - Glastonbury and the surrounding Somerset Levels are pleasant for cycling in fine weather. Some routes are flat, but lanes can be narrow-use caution on rural roads.
- Walking - The town centre and Tor are compact and best explored on foot. Expect easy walking distances between central sights, cafés and shops.
Where to StayThe best areas to base yourself
Where to Stay in Glastonbury#
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
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
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
Eat & DrinkStreet food, restaurants, bars and nightlife
Where to Eat in Glastonbury#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Glastonbury’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
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.
ShoppingMarkets, malls and souvenirs
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.