Visiting Glastonbury for the First Time? Here’s What to See and Do

Built around one of the oldest holy wells in Britain, the Chalice Well gardens offer a serene sanctuary for self-reflection home to lots of vines, aura-inspiring yew trees, and many flower-covered spots in which to hide from the world for a while.

Follow centuries' worth of footsteps to this sacred spot and sit by the beautifully adorned well lid, decorated with its Vesica Piscis symbol. You can even make it your starting point for a nature walk through the surrounding countryside. (Just don't forget to collect water from the Red Spring flowing from the lion's head—it’s iron-rich, and locals swear by its healing properties.)

Insider tip: A few minutes away, the White Spring is the Red Spring's moody twin, home to a candlelit well house and pool. Some locals say that drinking from the White and Red springs together is incredibly restorative—even magical.

When it comes to Glastonbury sightseeing tips, the Tor is almost always mentioned. Happily, one of the more popular entrances to the path is just a short walk from the aforementioned Chalice Well Gardens, right by the White Spring. From there, you can climb the stone steps for majestic views over Somerset's countryside and farmland.

At the top, St. Michael's Tower is all that remains of the medieval churches that once sat on the Tor's summit, and this site is also one of the key Glastonbury attractions. Said to sit above two energetic ley lines, the tower remains a point for celebrations, rituals, solo reverie, and exercise, drawing visitors who want to take in both the view and the quiet.

Insider tip: The walk to the top takes 15–40 minutes, depending on your pace, and even with just one day to tour Glastonbury, climbing the Tor is a must.

In and among window shopping on High Street, take the time to step into the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey—it is one of the best places to visit in Glastonbury, after all. Not only does legend say it’s the oldest link to Christianity in Britain, it’s also connected to Joseph of Arimathea (the biblical figure who's said to have buried Christ). And as is often the case in England, history and legend mix and mingle, and the Abbey is even believed to be the burial place of King Arthur.

Here, you can tuck into a picnic and spend the day enjoying the roughly 36 acre (14.5 hectare) grounds at your own pace. Entrance tickets let you spend the whole day there, if you choose, so you can come and go as you please before the entrance closes in the early evening (times vary by season). You can also make it your first stop on a ghost tour through the town’s more haunting spots.

There's no shortage of crystals and gemstones along Glastonbury's High Street and its winding alleyways. And no matter your budget, you'll be able to find something that appeals, from birthstone and chakra bracelets for just a few pounds to cut and polished minerals and custom-made jewelry that can cost into the thousands.

Many shopkeepers are happy to explain the style, meaning, and energy behind each piece, helping you find the one most suited to your intention. Of course, window shopping is just as much fun, and wandering from storefront to storefront is its own kind of Glastonbury first-time visit ritual.

Glastonbury: It's the annual weekend-long music and arts festival whose reputation precedes it, one which puts Glastonbury town on the map for thousands of visitors each year, and has done for more than half a century.

Each year it draws a lineup of international superstars alongside an eclectic mix of creative and performing arts vendors. Even those who skip the festival itself often notice its influence around town, from festival-themed murals to shops selling wellies and other festival gear that will keep you clean and dry if Mother Nature has other plans. For music lovers making the trip, tickets sell out fast, as do places to stay, so planning well ahead of the festival dates is essential.

As soon as you arrive in Glastonbury, bright buildings, mosaic-covered walls, and street artists welcome you. Here, you can follow the mural trail from the Heart of the Tribe gallery and Linda Ravenscroft galleries on the high street to the town's residential neighborhoods, from Beckery Road to the village of Street and Avalon Marshes.

In Glastonbury, public art isn't confined to galleries, either; it spills onto sidewalks, from shop windows, and covers side streets, turning an ordinary stroll around town into an open-air exhibition. Keep your camera handy, since new pieces seem to appear around every corner.

Insider tip: If you're wondering what to see in Glastonbury (beyond the murals and sidewalk sketches, that is), head to the weekly markets where vendors sell their own artworks, from paintings and crafts to unique pieces of jewelry.

If the locals and visitors in cone hats and gemstone jewelry don't give it away, the storefronts covered in crystal balls, broomsticks, tarot cards, and dried spices surely do: Glastonbury is arguably one of the world's witchiest towns.

Whether you're looking for herbs and incense to spellcasting sprays, deity statues, crystal balls, and spell bowls, the town's High Street is a treasure trove for the modern-day practitioner. Even skeptics tend to leave with something, whether a bundle of sage, a deck of oracle cards, a beautiful handmade costume, or simply a good story to tell.

Related: 13 Witchy Haunts Around the World

If you're in a major city such as London or Bristol, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to dining options, from comfy pubs and Michelin restaurants to local Indian and Thai eateries. You might not think that Glastonbury has the same kind of range, but when it comes to veggie or vegan food, it might actually beat out the competition.

The town's reputation as a spiritual center and retreat also makes it a hub for ethical dining and food tours. While visiting, check out the dishes at Rainbow's End Cafe, the town's first fully vegetarian restaurant. Its menu is known for its revolving lineup of international options (think: moussaka), alongside vegetarian and vegan twists on English classics, such as a hearty Sunday roast pie.

Insider tip: One of the best Glastonbury tips for visitors: some of the town's vegan and vegetarian spots are tucked into the little alleyways between the crystal and crafts shops, so it's worth meandering away from the high street to see what you find.

Whether the call comes from the Goddess of Avalon herself or Celtic deities such as Brigid and Rhiannon, it’s hard to deny the divine feminine energy in Glastonbury, especially during festivals such as Beltane. Regardless of what you believe, paying homage to the goddess is one of the coolest things to do in Glastonbury, and there's no shortage of sacred spaces in which to honor her.

Start at the Goddess Temple, a free space dedicated to the divine feminine and open to visitors year-round. Browse the Goddess Shop nearby for souvenirs—from statues and ritual tools to tote bags and dresses—and consider stopping by the Goddess House to take part in a healing practice or ritual session.

England's smallest city is just 20 minutes away from Glastonbury by bus, and it leaves a huge impression. The city’s crown jewels are arguably its majestic Gothic cathedral and medieval palace, the latter of which is surrounded by 14 acres (5.6 hectares) of gardens. Here, tour the Bishop's Palace, official residence of the Bishops of Bath and Wells for more than 800 years, then head next door to the cathedral, home to one of the world's oldest working clocks. (Its statues still chime out a mechanical show every hour.)

Just outside, in front of the Penniless Porch archway, the Wells Market runs on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the same place it has done for centuries. Finally, before leaving, stroll through Vicar's Close, considered the oldest continuously inhabited medieval street in Europe, which is still home to members of the cathedral's choir.

While you're in the area visiting Glastonbury, be sure to join a Secret Somerset tour that departs from Bath and spend your morning exploring the offbeat routes to and around Stonehenge. An ancient ceremonial site, an incredible feat of engineering, and possibly one of the world's oldest ways of telling time, Stonehenge leaves its mark on every visitor ... not to mention that it lends some solid bragging rights.

Then, back in Bath, there's no shortage of landmarks and hidden gems to explore. See the sights on a walking tour, soak in the healing waters of the city's Roman Baths, or step back through time and literature on a Jane Austen–inspired audio walking tour.

Related: Know Before You Go: Visiting Stonehenge