Which Way To Glastonbury Tor?

By Tom Last updated May 15, 2024

If you are willing and able, the climb up to the summit of Glastonbury Tor is well worth the effort. You will be pleased, or perhaps disappointed, to know that there is no cable car so if you want to conquer Glastonbury’s mountain it does involve walking!

With miles of footpaths around Glastonbury, 4 gates onto land around Glastonbury Tor and 2 footpaths to the summit, the permutations are endless. Here is a selection of routes covering the shortest, the most popular and our favourites in order of walking distance:

Park and Ride – 370 metres

From 1^st April to 30^th September take the Glastonbury Tor Community Bus – Service 196 – operates from St Dunstan’s car park at the side of the town hall (front of Glastonbury Information Centre) and climb the 179 steps (this route has 31 metres of ascent over 370 metres distance) from the bus stop at the base of the Tor to the summit.

Park and Walk – 750 metres

All year round drive to, and park (for a small fee) at, the R J Draper factory on Chilkwell Street ( canine.compacts.clerics) and walk from there. Emerging from the car park cross the road (take care of traffic on the busy A361) and turn right and head along Chilkwell Street, turn left up Wellhouse Lane and turn right up the steep ramp and climb the 304 steps (this route has 82 metres of ascent over 750 metres distance) to the summit. Another option is to park at the Rural Life Museum ( grin.jaundice.speeded) – free for users of the Rural Life Museum and The Grain Store cafe and a small fee for others and walk up the side of the Rural Life Museum onto the A361.

Places of Interest Along the Way

- Chalice Well ( sparks.dusters.parked)
- Red and White Springs ( corrupted.hothouse.hacksaw)

Walking From The Town Centre

Shortest Route – 1.75 km (from Market Cross) (Blue route on map below)

High Street -> Hanover Square-> Silver Street -> Lambrook Street-> Chilkwell Street -> Wellhouse Lane

Places of Interest Along The Way

- The George & Pilgrims ( took.goofy.curtail)
- Tribunal ( withdrew.differ.drips)
- Church of St John the Baptist ( nerd.household.paths)
- Chalice Well ( sparks.dusters.parked)
- Red and White Springs ( corrupted.hothouse.hacksaw)

Tourist Trail – 1.91 km (Brown route)

If you want to stop off at the tourist hotspots of tbe Rural Life Museum, Chalice Well Gardens or the Red and White Springs then this is the one for you.

Market Place -> Magdalene Street -> Fishers Hill -> Bere Lane -> Chilkwell Street -> Wellhouse Lane

Places of Interest Along The Way

- Glastonbury Abbey ( forgives.doubts.remake)
- St Margaret’s Chapel and Royal Magdalene Almshouses ( cycles.speak.employers)
- Abbey Park ( loosens.depending.angry)
- Somerset Rural Life Museum ( grin.jaundice.speeded)
- Chalice Well ( sparks.dusters.parked)
- Red and White Springs ( corrupted.hothouse.hacksaw)

Nature Trail – 2.03 km (Violet route)

Less busy than the tourist trail this route is worth it for enjoying the view over the town from the peace of Bushy Coombe Nature Reserve..

High Street -> Hanover Square-> Silver Street -> Lambrook Street-> Dod Lane-> Bushy Coombe -> Bulwarks Lane-> Wellhouse Lane

Places of Interest Along The Way

- The George & Pilgrims ( took.goofy.curtail)
- Tribunal ( withdrew.differ.drips)
- Church of St John the Baptist ( nerd.household.paths)

Pilgrims Route – 2.78 km (Red route)

Less busy and quieter than the other routes, this route follows an ancient drove used by pilgrims coming to Glastonbury. Heading up Bove Town look out for Jacoby Cottage which was once a slipper chapel used by pilgrims and as you head along Paradise Lane stop and enjoy the view over Paradise Valley to the Mendip Hills beyond.

High Street -> Lambrook Street -> Bove Town -> Wick Hollow -> Maidencroft Lane-> Paradise Lane -> Stone Down Lane

Places of Interest Along the Way