10 Interesting Facts about Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor by Necrothesp – Wikimedia Commons

10 Interesting Facts about Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is a hill near Glastonbury in the English county of Somerset, topped by the roofless St Michael’s Tower, a Grade I listed building. The entire site is managed by the National Trust and has been designated a scheduled monument.The Tor is mentioned in Celtic mythology, particularly in myths linked to King Arthur, and has several other enduring mythological and spiritual associations. 

The conical hill of clay and Blue Lias rises from the Somerset Levels. It was formed when surrounding softer deposits were eroded, leaving the hard cap of sandstone exposed. The slopes of the hill are terraced, but the method by which they were formed remains unexplained. Here are 10 Interesting Facts about Glastonbury Tor. 

1. Glastonbury Tor is regarded as one of the most spiritual and mysterious places in the United Kingdom

It has a rich historical background, especially when we talk about the mysteries and legend of King Arthur and the Isle of Avalon. It is also an important tourist attraction many people come to see every day. 

Glastonbury Tor is known as one of the most spiritual sites in the country because of the church that was built there long ago. The 4th-century roofless St Michael’s Tower which still stands today was said to be part of the church that was destroyed.

2. Human Existence Here Has Been at Glastonbury Tor For a Very Long Time

Descending Glastonbury Tor by Tony Grist – Wikimedia Commons

Excavation work by Philip Rahtz between 1964 and 1966, shows that people have been here since prehistoric times. Evidence for these are the Neolithic flint tools, Roman artifacts, and vases for wine or cooking port found on and around the hill. 

3. The origin of the name “Glastonbury” is unclear

The origin of the name “Glastonbury” is unclear, but when the settlement was first recorded in the late 7th and early 8th centuries it was called Glestingaburg. Of the latter name, Glestinga is obscure and may derive from an Old English word or Celtic personal name.

It may derive from a person or kinship group named Glast. The second half of the name, -burg, is Anglo-Saxon in origin and could refer to either a fortified place such as a burh or, more likely, a monastic enclosure.

4. The Glastonbury Tor is formed from rocks dating from the early Jurassic Period

Glastonbury Tor by Sarah Stierch – Wikimedia Commons

The Tor is formed from rocks dating from the early Jurassic Period, namely varied layers of Lias Group strata. The uppermost of these, forming the Tor itself, are a succession of rocks assigned to the Bridport Sand Formation. 

These rocks sit upon strata forming the broader hill on which the Tor stands; the various layers of the Beacon Limestone Formation and the Dyrham Formation.  The Bridport Sands have acted as a caprock, protecting the lower layers from erosion. 

5. The sides of the Glastonbury Tor have seven deep, roughly symmetrical terraces

Their formation remains a mystery with many possible explanations. They may have been formed as a result of natural differentiation of the layers of Lias stone and clay or used by farmers during the Middle Ages as terraced hills to make ploughing for crops easier.

Author Nicholas Mann questions this theory. If agriculture had been the reason for the creation of the terraces, it would be expected that the effort would be concentrated on the south side, where the sunny conditions would provide a good yield, but the terraces are equally deep on the northern side, which would provide little benefit. Additionally, none of the other slopes of the island has been terraced, even though the more sheltered locations would provide a greater return on the labour involved.

6. The Glastonbury Tor has seven rings and very little space on top for the safekeeping of a community

Glastonbury Tor in the evening by Mimihitam – Wikimedia Commons

It has been suggested that a defensive function may have been linked with Ponter’s Ball Dyke, a linear earthwork about 1 mile (1.6 km) east of the Tor.It consists of an embankment with a ditch on the east side. 

The purpose and provenance of the dyke are unclear. It is possible that it was part of a longer defensive barrier associated with New Ditch, three miles to the south-west, which is built in a similar manner. It has been suggested by Ralegh Radford that it is part of a great Celtic sanctuary, probably 3rd century BC, while others, including Philip Rahtz, date it to the post-Roman period and link it to the Dark Age occupation on Glastonbury Tor. 

7. The Coffin of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere at the Glastonbury Tor 

There was the alleged discovery of the coffin of King Arthur and Queen Guinevere at the spot, back in 1191. However, many scholars believe this is the handy work of people who wanted to substantiate the authenticity of the legend of King Arthur and make Glastonbury Tor more popular.

8. In 1786, Richard Colt Hoare of Stourhead bought the Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor by Tony Grist – Wikimedia Commons

In 1786, Richard Colt Hoare of Stourhead bought the Tor and funded the repair of the tower in 1804, including the rebuilding of the north-east corner.It was then passed on through several generations to the Reverend George Neville and included in the Butleigh Manor until the 20th century. It was then bought as a memorial to a former Dean of Wells, Thomas Jex-Blake, who died in 1915. 

9. The National Trust took control of the  Glastonbury Tor in 1933

The National Trust took control of the Tor in 1933, but repairs were delayed until after the Second World War. During the 1960s, excavations identified cracks in the rock, suggesting the ground had moved in the past. This, combined with wind erosion, started to expose the footings of the tower, which were repaired with concrete.

Erosion caused by the feet of the increasing number of visitors was also a problem and paths were laid to enable them to reach the summit without damaging the terraces. After 2000, enhancements to the access and repairs to the tower, including rebuilding of the parapet, were carried out. 

10. The Glastonbury Tor has been associated with the name Avalon

The Tor has been associated with the name Avalon, and identified with King Arthur, since the alleged discovery of his and Queen Guinevere’s neatly labeled coffins in 1191, recounted by Gerald of Wales.Author Christopher L. Hodapp asserts in his book The Templar Code for Dummies that Glastonbury Tor is one of the possible locations of the Holy Grail, because it is close to the monastery that housed the Nanteos Cup.