Muchelney Abbey, Somerset

A quiet, remote site on the Somerset levels of which only the abbot's lodging and a section of cloister remain intact, the rest having been reduced to the foundations. The Benedictine abbey was first founded in 663 and rebuilt several times during the medieval period. What remains is mainly 14th-15th century and now belongs to English Heritage. The nearby church was built by the abbey and contains some original medieval glass and decorated floor tiles.

The photos show the elaborately carved stonework of the remaining cloister walk (above) and an exterior view of the surviving buildings as seen across the cloister court from the area of the monastic church.

 The Abbot’s parlour with an intricate fireplace, original oak seating and original 15th century glass in the upper sections of the windows.

Glastonbury, Somerset  

The town of Glastonbury, rising almost as (it once was) an island in the levels is famous for it’s music festival, the very new age or bohemian features of the town centre and it’s various ancient sites including such as the abbey ruins, the Tor, and the Chalice Well; all heavily associated with Arthurian and other myth’s and legends.

New age travellers, Tibetan Buddhist monks, druids, Peruvian ‘Indians’ and even vampire hunters can be found here, as well as just about anyone else for one reason or another.

The chalice well gardens, located near the foot of the conical, tower capped hill known as the Tor. The elaborate cover of the well head is shown. The well itself is a shallow shaft leading into an unusual submerged chamber which may have originally been a medieval well house. It is surrounded by tranquil gardens and the water is reputed to have healing properties. The name is derived from a legend that the Holy Grail was hidden in the well by Joseph of Arimathea in AD 63.

Joseph is also the source of the legend surrounding the Glastonbury thorn trees, the original of which reputedly grew from his staff when he thrust it into the ground at Wearyall Hill (see below). The present trees have been grown from cuttings saved from the supposed original tree which was hacked down by religious fanatics during the commonwealth (mid 17th century).

Glastonbury Tor is an ancient site, a steep sided hill cut with terraces in Neolithic times, used as a fortress and much later as a monastery. The hill is now crowned by the shell of a medieval tower which is all that survives of an ancient chapel. There are many myths regarding the hill and it was the site of the execution of the last Abbot of Glastonbury in 1540.

The Tor is a particular focal point for ‘new-agers,’ neo pagans and curious tourists at the summer solstice. There are impressive views from the summit, even into southern Wales on clear days. The photos show various views from the slopes of the Tor some including the early morning mists, and the tower itself.

Left: The Tor as taken from Wearyall Hill, with the 'Holy Thorn' in the foreground.

As with the Tor, erosion from visitor use is an issue. Apparently however, no one at the National Trust seems to feel that the herds of cows which are sometimes to be found blundering about on either hill are any kind of problem...

Glastonbury Abbey

The ruins of one of the greatest monasteries of medieval Europe, lie in what is now parkland at the centre of Glastonbury, with ponds, a monastic herb garden and cider orchards. Though much remains of the buildings, it is only a fraction of what there once was, as the elaborate model in the site museum demonstrates.

The abbey church was larger than that of the nearby cathedral of Wells, and once housed many relics of dubious authenticity including the alleged tomb of King Arthur.

One of the more unusual features is the two storey chapel (left), at the front of the church, which survives almost intact though roofless. An unusual position for which the only other example I know of is the Galilee Chapel at Durham Cathedral.

At the edge of town, near to the Chalice Well gardens, one of the impressive abbey barns survives intact. Even this was built to a high standard, complete with architectural ornamentation, and is a world away from the cheap, substandard, utilitarian rubbish that is usually built today.

Chew Mendip, Somerset

The soaring 15th century tower of the parish church of this small village in northern Somerset.

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Copyright Kevin Marriott. All artwork, photography and other contents of this site is the copyright of Kevin Marriott and may not be copied or reproduced on the web or elsewhere without written permission.