Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is a steep-sided hill rising from the flat Somerset Levels, topped by the ruined tower of St Michael’s Church. The hill is formed from layers of Jurassic rock capped by Bridport Sands, which resist erosion and give the Tor its distinctive shape. Seven deep terraces run around its slopes, their purpose still debated by archaeologists. The site is managed by the National Trust and recognised as a scheduled monument. Welsh legends link the Tor to King Arthur and the island of Avalon, adding to its mythical reputation. The Tor’s history stretches back to the Iron Age, when people visited regularly if not permanently. Roman pottery and Neolithic tools have been found on the summit, showing long use. Excavations led by Philip Rahtz in the 1960s uncovered Dark Age remains, including hearths and burials, around the later medieval church. The original wooden church was destroyed in a 1275 earthquake, and the stone church built in the 14th century survives as the tower. Artefacts such as a 10th- or 11th-century wheel-cross head have also been recovered. Visitors climb the winding path to the summit, where the tower stands open to the sky. The terraces frame the climb, offering glimpses of the surrounding Levels and distant hills. At the base, Chalice Well’s iron-rich waters flow from an artesian spring, staining the sandstone red. On misty days the Tor can appear to float above the fens in a Fata Morgana, a shimmering illusion named after Morgan le Fay. The view from the top stretches for miles across the reclaimed wetlands, making the climb worthwhile.