Page 126 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - England's South Coast

124  ENGLAND ’ S SOUTH C O AST REGION B Y REGION

crowned by St Micheal’s Tower, g Glastonbury
which is all that remains of a Somerset. Map E4. * 9,000 @ n
14th-century monastic church. The Tribunal, High St; 01458 832954.
The building was largely destoyed ( Tue. ∑ glastonburytic.co.uk
during the Dissolution of the
Monasteries (see p36). Shrouded in Arthurian myth
Though split by the Polden and rich in mystical association,
Hills, the Levels are prone to the town of Glastonbury was
flooding and have been drained once one of the most important
since the Middle Ages. Today, destinations for pilgrims in
the wetlands – many formed England. Today, thousands flock
from abandoned peat workings – here for the annual music festival
are a magnet for wildlife. The and for the summer solstice on
Path leading to the ruins of St Michael’s various nature reserves at the Midsummer’s Day (21 June).
Tower at the top of Glastonbury Tor beautiful Avalon Marshes are Over the years, history and
home to kingfishers, bitterns legend have become inter twined.
f Somerset Levels and great white egrets, and in In around 700, the monks who
the winter massive murmurations set up Glastonbury Abbey found
Somerset. Map E4. 3 Glastonbury.
@ Glastonbury. of starlings blacken the sky in it profitable to encourage the
wonderfully dramatic patterns. association between Glastonbury
The extensive Somerset Levels There are excellent walks and and the mythical “Blessed Isle”
consist of ancient peat moors cycle rides from the central known as Avalon – alleged to be
and grassland interspersed with Avalon Marshes Centre. the last resting place of King
dramatic hillocks such as the Arthur (see p156) and the Holy
Glastonbury Tor, which some say E Avalon Marshes Centre Grail. The great abbey was left
was the mythical Isle of Avalon Shapwick Rd, Westhay. Tel 01458 in ruins after the Dissolution.
in Arthurian legend. Visible for 860556. Open 10am–5pm daily. Despite this, some magnificent
miles around, the Tor is a hill - = ∑ avalonmarshes.org remains survive, including parts
h Wells Cathedral The Vicars’ Close was built
in the 14th-century for the
Vicars’ Choir. It is one of
The charming town of Wells is named the oldest complete
after St Andrew’s Well, the clear sacred streets in Europe.
spring that bubbles up from the ground
near the 13th-century Bishop’s Palace, the
residence of the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
The cathedral was begun in the late
1100s, and is famous for its elaborate
West Front and the “scissor arches”
installed in 1338 to support the tower. The spectacular West
Front features 300 fine
medieval statues of
kings, knights and
saints, many of
them life-size.

Chapter House Chain Gate
From the north transept a (1460)
doorway leads to a graceful
flight of steps, which curves
up to the octagonal Chapter
House. The interior features
delicate vaulting dating from Cloisters
1306. The 32 ribs fanning from
the central column create a
beautiful palm-tree effect.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p177 and pp188–9

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