Visiting Wearyall Hill Glastonbury
A practical guide for visitors to Glastonbury
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| View From Wearyall Hill Over Glastonbury With Holy Thorn Foreground, Tor in Background |
Wearyall Hill is a long narrow ridge to the south west of Glastonbury. On the hill is the Holy Thorn. The original was said to have blossomed from the staff of Joseph of Armithea whom legend says he visited Glastonbury, (see our Glastonbury myths and legends page). He arrived, weary (hence Wearyall Hill), planted his staff in the ground and it immediately blossomed.
The tree was seen as sacred, blossoming at Christmas and Easter, marking the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ).
Wearyall Hill is just 5/10 minutes walk from the centre of Glastonbury.
Just walk down Magdalene Street south to meet the A361 road and then turn right along the A361 towards Street. Cross to the southern side of the road and when the houses finish, you will see the footpath slanting up the hill.
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| Glastonbury Overview |
| Myths and Legends |
| Wearyhall Hill |
| Glastonbury Abbey |
| Glastonbury Tor |
| Chalice Well |
| White Spring |
| Getting To Glastonbury |
| Public Transport |
| Day Tours From London |
| Within An Hour |
| Bath |
| Stonehenge |
| Lacock |
Note this is not a properly made footpath, it is not suitable for wheelchairs, prams etc.
You can drive up to the top of the hill, but its a very narrow road (Hill Head, see map below), with very limited parking. Best to leave your car in the housing estate along Tor View Avenue and walk up Hill Head.
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| Day Tours Including .... |
| Tour Overview |
| Stonehenge |
| Bath |
| Stratford Upon Avon |
| Cotswolds |
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| Canterbury & Leeds Castle |
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| Most Popular Tours |
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| Salisbury |
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| Thorn At Glastonbury Abbey |
The tree is not protected and Wearyall Hill itself is totally open access.
There are a few seats with great views just a little further along the ridge from the tree, a great place for a picnic.
Each year a sprig of thorn is cut, by the local Anglican vicar and the eldest child from St John's School, and sent to the Queen.
Many other examples of the thorn grow throughout Glastonbury including those in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey, St Johns Church and Chalice Well. The picture above is of the Thorn in Glastonbury Abbey.
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Glastonbury is a long drive from London, by private car it will take around 3 hours. There are day tours from London though that operate several times a week by International Friends. The large coach tour operators do not come to Glastonbury which only adds to its attraction.
International Friends King Arthur Tour - Glastonbury, Stonehenge and Avebury
Tour Highlights
- Entrance and tour of Stonehenge
- Glastonbury, entrance/tour to Glastonbury Abbey, Tor and Chalice Well Gardens
- Avebury stone circle and Silbury Hill
High quality tour in 16 seat luxury minibuses with pickups in the main hotel districts around 07:30 a.m. returning to London around 7 p.m.
Mid morning tour of Stonehenge is followed by lunch and early afternoon at Glastonbury with free time. A stop is made at Avebury henge on the return to London. Unlike Stonehenge, you can walk among and touch the stones at Avebury, it is totally open access.
Glastonbury, Stonehenge and Avebury Day Tour From London - More Details
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