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<H1><A HREF="glastonbury1.html">Glastonbury Symposium | All about Glastonbury</A></H1>
<H2>About Glastonbury</H2>
<P>Pictures by <A HREF="http://www.palden.co.uk/photos/" TARGET="_top">Palden Jenkins</A></P>
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<P>Glastonbury, the 'ancient Isle of Avalon', is a fascinating small town in SW England. One of its ancient Celtic names is <I>Ynys Witrin</I>, the 'island of seeing'. It
is a sacred pilgrimage place dating back 5,000 years to megalithic times, once
the site of a Druid college and perpetual choir over 2,000 years ago, and
reputed to have been visited by Jesus when a young man.</P>
<P>In medieval times
it was one of Europe's greatest monastic centres, 'England's Holyest Earthe',
and a last vestige of the Ancient British (Celtic) church. It possessed
an enormous library and attracted many of the freethinkers of the day
- including natural philosophers, Templars, mendicant Arabs, celtic saints
and assorted religious refugees (such as odd Waldensians and Cathars). After the dissolution of the monateries in the 1530s, Glastonbury Abbey lay wrecked and desolate, and the Abbey lands around Glastonbury fell largely into disuse.</P>
<P>After that it attracted the attentions of mystics through the centuries, such as John Dee in Elizabethan times, and the Romantics William Blake and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.Throughout the 20th Century it has been home to newer freethinkers, psychics, healers,
authors, and all manner of unconventional people. One of the great advantages
of holding a crop circle symposium here is that the earth energy is strong
and the momentum created by Glastonbury's deep heritage can somehow make a
crazy interest such as crop circles seem perfectly normal.</P>
<P>If you haven't been here before, it's worth investing a full day in sampling Glastonbury
when you come to the Symposium. The notable spots are the Abbey, the Chalice
Well and the Tor, yet the nooks and crannies, cafes, shops, people and
situations arising here make for a rich and refreshing experience. It's
not just a matter of looking around, it's also a matter of <I>listening within</I>.</P>
<P>This is not a large town - you can walk around it - and its very attraction
is that it's not like other places.</P>
<P>Most accommodation is in B&Bs, with a few small hotels and a camping
site. There are plenty of cafes, but don't try to find one between 4-7pm.
It's the sort of place you mosey around without making plans. As much
happens in your sleep as when awake.</P>
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<P CLASS="smallest">Next:</P>
<P CLASS="links"><A HREF="travel.html" TARGET="_top">How to Get Here</A></P>
<P CLASS="links"><A HREF="accommodation.html" TARGET="_top">Accommodation</A></P>
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<P CLASS="smallest">Other local sites:</P>
<P CLASS="med"><B><A HREF="http://www.isleofavalon.co.uk" TARGET="new" TITLE="A full online feature about Glastonbury">The Isle of Avalon</A></B> - the traditions, atmosphere and people of Glastonbury<BR>
<B><A HREF="http://www.glastonbury.co.uk" TARGET="new" TITLE="Glastonbury's main town website">Glastonbury.co.uk</A></B> - full town information<BR>
<B><A HREF="http://www.glastonburytor.org.uk" TARGET="new" TITLE="All about Glastonbury Tor">Glastonbury
Tor</A></B> - that strange hill<BR>
<B><A HREF="http://www.chalicewell.org.uk" TARGET="new" TITLE="Visit the Chalice Well website">The Chalice Well</A></B> - a place of healing and reflection<BR>
<B><A HREF="http://www.glastonburyabbey.com" TARGET="new" TITLE="Visit the Glastonbury Abbey website">Glastonbury Abbey</A></B> - ye holyeste earthe</P>
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