Rising weirdly and wonderfully out of the flat Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor is more than just a hill. It is an icon of England’s landscape, a beacon of spirituality, and a puzzle of history and myth.
Whether you are chasing legends of King Arthur, seeking spiritual alignment, or just looking for one of the best panoramic views in the South West, a day trip to Glastonbury is unforgettable.
Here is your complete guide to visiting the Tor, exploring the quirky town beneath it, and making the climb to the top.
🚗 How to Get There: Your Journey to Avalon
Glastonbury is nestled deep in Somerset. While driving offers the most flexibility, it is entirely possible to visit via public transport with a little planning.
From London:
- By Car: The drive takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours along the M3 and A303 (passing Stonehenge on the way!).
- By Train/Bus: Take a Great Western Railway train from London Paddington to Taunton or Castle Cary. From Taunton, take the ‘First Bus’ route 29 to Glastonbury. From Castle Cary, you will likely need a pre-booked taxi as bus connections are sparse. Total journey time: 3–4 hours.
From Bristol:
- By Car: An easy drive of just over an hour via the A37.
- By Bus (Recommended): Take the ‘First Bus’ 376 Mendip Explorer directly from Bristol Temple Meads station to Glastonbury. It takes about an hour and drops you in the town center.
From Manchester or Birmingham:
- By Car: A long drive down the M5/M6 (approx. 3 hours from Birmingham; 4.5 from Manchester).
- By Train: Connect through Bristol Temple Meads and follow the Bristol instructions above.
🏘️ The Vibe: Exploring Glastonbury Town
Before you head up the hill, you must explore the town that sits in its shadow. Glastonbury is perhaps the quirkiest town in England. It is the undisputed capital of “New Age” culture, described by some as being incredibly spiritual and by others as blissfully bonkers.
The High Street is a vibrant, colorful parade of esoteric bookstores, shops selling healing crystals, witchy supplies, ethical clothing, and pungent incense. It’s wonderful for browsing.
Where to eat: You won’t go hungry here. Due to its bohemian vibe, Glastonbury is fantastic for vegetarian and vegan food.
- Excalibur Café: Great for hearty, traditional cafe food with plenty of veggie options.
- Burns the Bread: A local Somerset bakery legend. Grab a pasty or a saffron bun for energy before your hike.
- The Hundred Monkeys: Excellent for organic, locally sourced meals.
📜 A Layered History: What is the Tor?
The Tor is a conical hill of hard clay and sandstone that survived the erosion of the surrounding soft ground. But its human history is far more complex.
The striking tower perched on top is the roofless St. Michael’s Tower. It is all that remains of a 14th-century stone church. What happened to the rest of the church? It was destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1275. The tower was rebuilt, only for the church to be closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII.
But the legends are louder than the history. For centuries, Glastonbury has been associated with Avalon, the legendary island where King Arthur’s sword Excalibur was forged, and where Arthur was taken to recover from his wounds. Many believe the Tor is the gateway to this mythical realm.
🥾 The Hike: Climbing the Magic Mountain
The Tor is 158 meters (518 feet) high. The climb isn’t long, but it is steep enough to get your heart rate up.
⚠️ THE CRITICAL PARKING WARNING ⚠️ Do NOT try to park at the base of the Tor. There is a tiny lay-by on Wellhouse Lane at the bottom of the hill, but it is almost always full, difficult to turn around in, and causes traffic chaos.
The Solution: Park in one of the main car parks in Glastonbury town center (St. John’s Car Park or Butts Close Car Park). The walk from the town center to the base of the Tor takes about 20–25 minutes, passing the lovely Chalice Well gardens on the way. It’s part of the experience.
The Ascent: Once you reach the base, you can take the paved path straight up the spine of the hill, or follow the winding concrete paths that loop around it. Depending on your fitness level, the actual climb up the hill takes between 15 and 30 minutes.
Be prepared: it is almost always notoriously windy as you near the summit!
🌄 The Reward: Panoramic Views
When you reach the summit and stand beneath the arches of St. Michael’s Tower, the world opens up.
The views are truly spectacular, offering a 360-degree panorama. On a clear day, you are looking out over three counties—Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire. You can see the Bristol Channel, the Mendip Hills, and acres of the flat “Somerset Levels” stretching out like a patchwork quilt below you.
It is a perfect spot for a picnic, meditation, or just sitting against the ancient stones and watching the cloud shadows race across the landscape.
🧠 Interesting Tor Trivia
- It used to be an island: In ancient times, before the Somerset Levels were drained for farming, the sea came right up to Glastonbury. At high tide, the Tor would have risen out of the water as an actual island—the “Isle of Glass.”
- The mystery terraces: If you look at the Tor from a distance, you will see strange, concentric terraces carved into the sides. No one knows for sure what they are. Some say they were medieval farming strips; others believe they are the remains of a Neolithic ritual labyrinth.
- A gruesome end: The last Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, Richard Whiting, was hung, drawn, and quartered on top of the Tor in 1539 on the orders of Thomas Cromwell.
🌤️ Practicalities: When to Go & What’s Around
Best Weather to Visit: Sunrise or sunset offers the most magical light. Crisp, clear autumn or winter days provide the best visibility for distant views. However, Glastonbury is famous for its misty mornings, where the Tor appears to float above a sea of fog—a photographer’s dream.
What else is nearby? If you have time left in your day:
- Glastonbury Abbey: The stunning ruins of one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England, located right in the town center.
- The Chalice Well: Located at the foot of the Tor, this is a peaceful garden surrounding a natural red spring, steeped in legends of the Holy Grail.
