Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey
The Abbey is set in 37 acres of beautifully peaceful parkland in the centre of the ancient market town of Glastonbury. It is traditionally the first Christian sanctuary in Great Britain, visited, so legend has it, by Joseph of Arimathea and Saints David & Patrick. Many believe that the Holy Thorn tree that can be seen in the grounds originated from Joseph of Arimathea's staff and others are convinced that King Arthur was buried in the Abbey beside his lovely wife Queen Guinevere.
Whatever one believes the facts are that the ruins are unique, the grounds provide a spot of peace and tranquility in an otherwise hectic world, and if the weather is poor there is the new Visitor's Centre with award winning Museum which includes a model of the Abbey as it might have looked in 1539, together with a display of the Town, a children's Display and the magnificent 16th century Othery Cope.
Schools
We welcome school parties of all ages and many nationalities to visit us throughout the year.
Our facilities include the Outdoor Classroom tents, the museum, Living History interpreters and Abbot's Kitchen.
The Education team can arrange to take booked groups around the site, or you are welcome to bring your own group leaders.
Teacher's notes and student work booklets are available in English, French and German. Some talks and tours are also available in French. Work booklets, trails and quizzes can be ordered for the day of your visit. There is no additional charge for this service.
The Abbot's Kitchen Experience
The children will go into the Abbot's Kitchen and learn about why it is so important and how medieval cooking took place inside it.
Our costumed guides can take children on three different tours of the abbey grounds aimed at their level of understanding. In order that your pupils gain the most from their visit it is useful to know if any of your group are Gifted and Talented or have any learning difficulties prior to your visit, so we can try to ensure that the visit meets their needs.
Learning about the history of the abbey, the Dissolution, and the abbey building itself. Learn where pilgrims are thought to have entered the Great Church, and follow in their footsteps; discover the difference between where pilgrims were permitted to go within the precinct and you are able to walk today.
Learning about the life of a monk, where they lived within the site and their place in society at that time. Find out why people thought becoming a monk was a good idea during the abbey's history and what happened to some of the monks when King Henry VIII's men closed the abbey. Is your class a supporter of the King or do they empathise with the monks?
Learning about the founding legends of the abbey including Joseph of Arimathea and King Arthur. Why are these stories important to the abbey, the town and the surrounding area?
What is the connection between Glastonbury Abbey and King Arthur? Learn about the historical sources and archaeological evidence.
We are able to show, through the history of the abbey, the struggle between Church and Crown and illustrate the effects on the church and the secular population. Our history also shows the effect the abbey had on the surrounding locality and how it managed the local environment and economy.
The story of pilgrimage past and present allows pupils to explore their responses today and compare them with those beliefs held in the past. Why was the Church so important and what was the effect of the Dissolution on society?