Glastonbury Tor

The Tor has been associated with magic and mystery for thousands of years. It seems likely that early man used the tor for rituals, and maze like path has been identified spiralling around the tor seven times. Professor Philip Rahtz dated the terraces to the Neolithic period, and concluded that they may have been part of a maze.

According to folklore the tor is the home of Gwynn ap Nudd, the king of the underworld and is a gateway into the realm of Annwn.

The tower, which crowns the tor, is all that remains of a church dedicated to St Michael, which fell in an earthquake in 1275. Traditionally the tor was the site of a very early wattle chapel built by Joseph of Arimathea, who is said to have landed at Glastonbury (then surrounded by water) after the crucifixion of Jesus.

The tor has been the scene of some mysterious light phenomena in recent years. In 1981 people climbing the tor saw a strange writhing light, which arced from the tower and earthed itself near to Chalice Well. The earth mysteries researcher Paul Devereux also witnessed strange lights in 1991.

St Michael’s Mount is said to be the starting point for the infamous St Michael’s ley, a broad line linking the Mount, St Michael’s Church Brentor, St Michael’s Church Burrowbridge, St Michael’s Church Othery, St Michael’s Church, Glastonbury Tor and Stoke St Michael. Although too short a space to elaborate on, this can really only be seen as modern folklore.