An amazing first solo trip with a theme

Onto Glastonbury! Land of King Arthur, the Tor, Chalice, and Lay lines

My solo trip to Glastonbury in Somerset had several themes: King Arthur’s legend, lay lines, the Chalice Well, and lovely walks.

I did not go to their famous music festival because I was in search of a more peaceful and slow trip. I was criticized for not staying for the musical festival, and guess what? I ignored all the comments.

When you design your trip with a theme: Make sure you make it about you!

My trip was about discovering Somerset’s myth and history. I wanted to meet people, photograph, go on day trips, and get to know more towns in the area. I even visited a local tattoo studio to explore its friendly and hygienic environment.

I loved the idea of traveling with a theme and adopted it for many other trips, such as the one to Lindisfarne and my trip to Paris to see the famous Paris Photo Exhibit.

Getting travel information in Glastonbury

Visit the Tourist Office whenever you arrive in a new town.

As soon as I arrived, I went to the Tourist Office to get general information about the area.

It took about twenty minutes for the man behind the counter to speak to me. No one else was there, so I didn’t understand why he ignored me.

Then I remembered that I was not in a city—this was a small town with a different flow, and I was the one who had to slow down! So I did just that.

The gentleman behind the counter was not much of a gentleman.

My Monty Python moment in Glastonbury

I asked the gentleman behind the counter where I could get the bus schedule so that I could visit nearby towns, and he told me that there weren’t any buses.

I asked if he had maps but he told me they were not maps available.

I asked for more general information and he was very vague and kept looking out the window.

He clearly did not want to speak to me.

I felt like I was in the twilight zone so I grabbed as many brochures as I could and ran out.

I shared my Tourist Center experience with a lady who worked at a bookstore.

She told me to go on a specific day of the week when a certain volunteer would be there. She said she was very helpful and knowledgeable.

And she was!

Sometimes, you need to insist on getting what you need.

So never give up and let people know when you need help..

By the way, There are many buses coming and going from Glastonbury, but connections can be challenging.

Glastonbury: My first solo trip

What took me to Glastonbury?

I love any and all stories about King Arthur and was in awe of the epic novel The Mists of Avalon.

King Arthur is supposed to be resting at the Glastonbury Abby, so I knew that I had to visit the area. The famous chalice is supposed to be there, and there are so many stories about King Arthur.

I wanted to meet people, photograph, go on day trips, and get to know more towns in the area. Meeting locals was crucial to gain deeper insights into Glastonbury’s history and culture.

Somerset’s landscapes are vast and mystical. When you walk around Glastonbury, you will feel something- I don’t know what, but it does have a special energy.

About traveling solo

It is a myth that you have to be alone all the time when you travel solo.

You will learn how to be alone, how to entertain yourself, how to eat out alone and you will also meet lots of other solo travelers and groups who will make your journey a blast! These groups can feel like a temporary travel gang, providing camaraderie and shared experiences.

I have always liked to walk, but it was during this trip that I discovered my passion for it.

I took long and leisurely daily walks and stopped to take photos and sketch.

Traveling alone allowed me to savor the area and take my time with the views and sounds.

I didn’t have a schedule, and I didn’t need to be there for anyone. It was me and that vast sky.

My first Airbnb experience was in Glastonbury

My very first Airbnb stay was with Storm, her husband, and a pup. My friendly hostess was a warm welcoming, beautiful person.

Their home felt like a friendly, family-run place, making my stay even more enjoyable. She and her husband were very kind, and they shared a lot of information about Somerset. They made my stay so special because I felt I was almost a local.

Day trips and pictures

I went on many day trips and weekend trips to small towns near Glastonbury.

Wells is near Glastonbury, and after spending time at the Chalice Well and Tor, I had a need to see Stonehenge, so I spent a few nights in the medieval city of Salisbury.

Frome was another gorgeous small town I stayed in. I went on lovely walks, ate well, and had a fantastic Airbnb experience.  

Getting around in Somerset: General Information

It turns out that Glastonbury is a fantastic base for staying in Somerset. I did not want to rent a car, and the public transportation was okay. However, many connections were “iffy,” and there were times I had long waits. The camera and my sketchbook entertained me during the long waits.

Traveling solo is all about being flexible, spontaneous, and enjoying imperfection.

Chalice Well

The Chalice Well is about a 15-minute walk from downtown Glastonbury.

The well is at the bottom of the Tor, and legend says this is where the Island of Avalon was. The Chalice Well has an educational center that provides many workshops throughout the year.

There are several stories connected with the Chalice Well.

• The Holy Grail was believed to have been placed at the Chalice.

• The Chalice is the female symbol, while the Tor is the male symbol. 

• The island of Avalon may have been located there.

I went there on different occasions and saw many groups of mystical women on their pilgrimage to the Chalice. 

The Chalice Well was a fantastic place to go at the end of the day. The blooming flowers seemed to have a stronger aroma, there were many birds, and I enjoyed going from bench to bench to enjoy nature at its best.

The Chalice Well has an educational center where they teach essence workshops, energy fields, and other exciting things throughout the year.

Tor

The Tor is a gorgeous hill with the beautiful St. Michael’s Tower.

Many people come here on pilgrimages. 

Legend says that this is King Arthur’s burial site.

The National Trust states that it’s thought that there is a hidden cave where you can go to the fairy realm of Annwn.

Gwynd ab Nudd, the Celtic lord of the underworld, lives in the cave with the cauldron of Rebirth. 

The Holy Grail was supposed to have been brought here!

So… the Holy Grail was here and at the Chalice.

Hmmm. The thing about mythology is not to get attached to specifics and just enjoy the stories.

Tor is the male symbol.

Tor is about a 20-minute walk from the center of town.

There are several ways to get there. You can take a bus part of the way and then climb up, or you can walk all the way—and it’s a lovely walk!

You can make your hike up as challenging as you want.

Tor is about a 20-minute walk from the center of town. There are several ways to get there. You can take a bus part of the way and then climb up, or you can walk all the way—and it’s a lovely walk! There is a more challenging climb to the Tor and an easier way.

I was in Glastonbury for quite a while, so I tried both. I spent a lot of time up at the Tor.

The views are breathtaking, and it’s a fantastic place to sketch, photograph, meditate, and relive Avalon and its mysteries. Inspired by the breathtaking views, I created many sketches and other artwork.

Glastonbury is known for its legends and connections to King Arthur, Avalon, the Holy Grail, the Abbey, Ley Lines, and more. If you are interested in history and mythology, then you must go and find out more about it! I know that you will love being there.

So much to see and learn about in Glastonbury.

Things to know about a solo trip with a theme

1. Decide on a theme for your trip.
2. Research the subject.
3. Read a few great books about the history and culture of the place.
4. Learn about the nearby towns that relate to your interest.
5. Find out if there is a university where you can research your subject.
6. Research the area where you will stay.
7. Are there any courses that you can take while you are there?
8. Are there any day tours you can join to learn more about the area?
9. Find out if you need to rent a car or if you will need to move around via public transport.
10. Choose the best time of the year to visit.
11. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy your solo trip.
12. Take things to do when you feel alone or bored.
13. Find ways to meet people. Examples: tours, meet-up groups, workshops.
14. Take a journal with you and jot down what you did and where you went. Write down your feelings-it’s the best way to get to know yourself better. Doodle and sketch on it.
15. Practice going out to dinner alone while you are at home.  It’s important that you enjoy going out on your own.
16. Look for spas so that you can spend a day relaxing.
17. Rent a bike when you can and get to know your area- take a picnic on your outings!
18. Facetime a friend or family member when you feel lonely.
19. Stay in touch with friends and family. 
20. Stay curious.

Learn more about the Somerset area:

Somerset, UK (Wikipedia)

Chalice Well Trust

Myths and Legends for Chalice Well

Legends of Tor

Tor National Trust UK

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Updated 03/06/2024