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, which 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, and 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 and 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 a large B & Q on the outskirts of the town. Glastonbury has a wide range of local accommodation, including historic hotels and inns.Glastonbury’s most famous cultural event is the annual Glastonbury Festival which takes place in Pilton, a village about 5 miles from the town.
As well as the Festival, Glastonbury Abbey plays host to a spectacular concert series known as Glastonbury Extravaganza. In recent years Van Morrison, Paolo Nuttini, Jools Holland and Joss Stone have appeared at the Extravaganza.
