Rising high above the Somerset Levels stands the evocative Glastonbury Tor
and the tower of St Michael's church. The Tor is steeped in myth and legend and
are strongly associated with tales of of King Arthur and Avalon.
The Tor which is an old Celtic word for a cone or conical shaped hill sits just outside of the town of Glastonbury and rises 500ft above sea level. On the summit sits the partially restored ruins of St Michaels church, the church was built in the 12 century and replaced an earlier church which was destroyed during an earthquake. Archaeological excavation have revealed evidence of human activity on the Tor dating back to Neolithic times.
Carved into the sided of Glastonbury Tor are seven symmetrical terraces, these terraces are a mystery to archaeologists and several theories have been put forward to explain there presence ranging from 3 dimensional labyrinths to defensive ramparts.
Access
Glastonbury Tor is owned and managed by the National Trust, entrance is free and it is open all year round.
Access to the Tor is via a steep path but once at the top visitors can enjoy panoramic views across the Somerset Levels, the Quantocks and Mendips.
Getting there
Parking at the tor is limited but there is a seasonal park and ride bus service which runs from Glastonbury town centre. You can also walk to the Tor from the town center eastwards along the A361
