🐉 (Halloween Special) Glastonbury – Climb the Tor & Watch the Dragons Battle
About the event
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Come and join us for a special day in Glastonbury! We'll enjoy some easy hiking while exploring the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was later adopted by Christians and became Halloween.
The [Samhain procession](https://www.facebook.com/GlastonburyDragons) attracts many visitors to Glastonbury, featuring drummers, dancers and a parade led by two huge dragons – one red and one white! Samhain is a very important date in the Pagan calendar, marking the division of the year between the lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter). Pagans believed that during Samhain, the veil between this world and the otherworld was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through.
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Come and join us on a trip to Glastonbury, possibly the quirkiest town in England, and home to the famous Glastonbury Music Festival! This city is at fascinating crossroads of various religions and spiritualities, from Christianity and paganism, to Druidism and witchcraft, and is unusually rich in legends and mythology. Glastonbury Tor, which we're going to climb, took centre stage in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, celebrating the “idyllic, mythical England”.
Our 4-mile route will follow the Glastonbury Way around the town and its beautiful landscape, taking in the most significant places. We’ll also visit the beautiful White Spring temple at the base of Glastonbury Tor (free entry). Candle-lit and atmospheric, it is a unique and sacred space long cherished by pilgrims and local people, and commonly used for quiet reflection, ceremonies and meditation. Opposite the White Spring are the peaceful, sunlit gardens of Chalice Well and the Red Spring, which you’re also welcome to visit for a small entry fee.
After the hike, you’ll have free time to explore Glastonbury’s weird and wonderful shops. This is the perfect place to browse for crystals (and learn about their healing properties), tarot cards, jewellery, lotions and potions, incense, herbs – and even wizard hats and magic wands! 🌟🔮🃏The town is also home to more than 50 spectacular pieces of street art, with colourful murals decorating the city centre and adding to Glastonbury’s vibrant, creative atmosphere.
This trip is suitable for BEGINNERS – a great way to experience hiking before joining our more difficult trips! 🤩
ITINERARY
07:45 Meet outside Hotel Novotel London West, 1 Shortlands, W6 8DR (a five-minute walk from Hammersmith Station) 08:00 Sharp departure 11:15-14:00 Hike to Glastonbury Tor, 2000-year-old oak trees of Gog and Magog and the White Spring 14:00-15:00 Free time for lunch and to explore Glastonbury's quirky shops 15:00 Border Morris (energetic English folk dance) at the Market Cross 16:00 Procession starts. The Glastonbury Red and White Dragons joined by Dragon Drummers will process down Glastonbury High Street to the Market Cross, where the Glastonbury Dragons will “battle for the season”. The winning Glastonbury Dragon will be crowned by the Mayor of Glastonbury. 17:00 Departure 20:00 London, Hammersmith
DISTANCE & DIFFICULTY
Distance: 4 miles (7km). Ascent: 220m. Difficulty: [Easy](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BMjvqhAAdSeCdyzLPHs0z04_e2TiKdci/view).
LEGENDS OF GLASTONBURY
There are many legends surrounding Glastonbury. Below are the most famous ones.
*Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea*
Jesus is said to have come to Glastonbury as a boy, travelling here with his uncle, Joseph of Arimathea. Joseph was a tin merchant and had travelled to England's south west for this valuable metal. After the crucifixion of Jesus, Joseph travelled to Britain with the Holy Grail (the cup used by Jesus at the Last Supper), which he buried under Glastonbury Tor.
*The Holy Thorn*
Joseph is said to have arrived in Glastonbury by boat over the flooded Somerset Levels. On arriving, he climbed up Wearyall Hill (a 15-minute walk from Glastonbury centre). Exhausted, he thrust his staff into the ground and rested. By morning his staff…
