Things to do at Glastonbury Tor

View up the steps towards the roofless St Michael's Tower at Glastonbury Tor — Climb to the top of Glastonbury Tor | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

A site of religious significance for over 1,000 years, Glastonbury Tor in Somerset is today a prime location for walks and picnics, and home to some special wildlife. Discover what there is to see and do at Glastonbury Tor.

Walking to the tower

If you're looking to go for a walk, a trip up to the tower on top of the Tor will give you a view out to the Somerset Levels and beyond. It's also a great picnic spot.

Public orchards

Located around the base of the slopes, visitors might be surprised to find four orchards. Two of these are open to the public, one of which dates back to the 1800s and welcomes visitors in through the beautiful willow arches.

Here, National Trust rangers are preserving heritage by planting vacant spaces with a rare Tidnor collection of apple trees from Herefordshire.

The trees in Avalon Orchard and a walker's sign post at Glastonbury Tor, Somerset in summer — Avalon Orchard at Glastonbury Tor | © National Trust Images / Lis Ford

Wildlife at Glastonbury Tor

Wildflowers on Glastonbury Tor support a different range of insects, including burnet moth, (a small red moth with black spots), and marbled white butterflies. Insects in turn provide food for skylarks, swallows, swifts and other birds and bats.

Watch out for kestrels at the end of summer, or you may catch an aerial view of a green woodpecker as you climb the Tor.

Badgers, rabbits and livestock

The Tor is also home to badgers, rabbits and foxes. Look out for the rabbits early in the morning. The badgers and foxes come out later in the evening.

The Tor is managed by grazing sheep and cows. The livestock help to keep the grass short in a natural and traditional way.