Town Profiles » Glastonbury
Glastonbury
"Glastonbury is a town steeped in history and legend and has a population of around 8,400."
It lies close to the foot of Glastonbury Tor, a holy hill that rises dramatically out of the flat surrounding landscape of the Somerset Levels.
Glastonbury is famed as the birthplace of Christianity in England, through its ancient (now ruined) Abbey. The area is associated with many myths and legends, including that of King Arthur. In recent years, the town has continued to be a place of spiritual pilgrimage.
The manufacture of sheepskin products has traditionally been the town’s predominant industry. Overall employment in this trade has declined over recent years. The former Morlands tannery site is being developed as a state of the art employment site known as Morlands Enterprise Park.
The town centre serves both local shoppers and visitors. It offers a good variety of specialist shops and cafes, many of these appealing to the diverse interests created by the New Age culture.
There are two supermarkets in the town, and other large retail stores on the outskirts of the town. Glastonbury has a wide range of local accommodation from historic hotels and inns to B&Bs.
Glastonbury’s most famous cultural event is the annual Glastonbury Festival which takes place in Pilton about 5 miles from the town. Glastonbury Abbey plays host to a spectacular concert series known as Glastonbury Extravaganza. The headline acts for 2011 are Status Quo and Katherine Jenkins.
