Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was a monastery in Glastonbury, Somerset, England. Its ruins, a grade I listed building and scheduled ancient monument, are open as a visitor attraction. The abbey was founded in the 7th century and enlarged in the 10th. It was destroyed by a major fire in 1184, but subsequently rebuilt and by the 14th century was one of the richest and most powerful monasteries in England.
The abbey was suppressed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under King Henry VIII of England. The last abbot, Richard Whiting (Whyting), was hanged, drawn and quartered as a traitor and became a martyr.
The abbey site is visited by over 100,000 a year. It’s a great day out especial for a family or a couple as its very picturesque and beautiful.
It has a small but interesting museum and a nice little gift shop and café. I wouldn’t say its worth a pilgrimage but if you’re in the southwest of England and you would like a nice daytrip its worth a visit. Please make sure to visit the Glastonbury shrine just across the road as it’s a lovely and deeply spiritual place.
