Back Roads Great Britain (Eyewitness Travel Back Roads)

73

EAT AND DRINK

WELLS

The Good Earth inexpensive

This is the ideal place for a coffee or

snack, serving wholesome, simple fare

such as soups, quiches, pizzas and

jacket potatoes and takeaway items.

4 Priory Rd, BA5 1SY; 01749 678 600;

http://www.thegoodearthwells.com; open

daytime only except Sat eve

GLASTONBURY

Hundred Monkeys moderate

In a town renowned for its hippy cafés,

this has a refreshing, down-to-earth

feel and serves various main meals as

well as great cakes.

52 High St, BA6 9DY; 01458 833 386;

open daytime only; closed Sun

w Wells
Somerset; BA5 2RP
England’s smallest city, Wells
has a cathedral that is one
of the crowning glories
of early English Gothic
architecture. Fronted by a
swathe of lawn, its stately
west façade is a marvel
of medieval statuary, and
the interior houses an
incredible 600-year-old
astronomical clock. Close
to the cathedral, admire
the medieval Vicars’ Close, said to be
the oldest planned street in Europe,
and the beautiful walled and moated
13th-century Bishop’s Palace, from
whose springs the city took its name.
ª Follow the A39 southwest, turning
right at roundabout. Carry on past
Glastonbury Abbey to car park on left.

e Glastonbury

Somerset; BA6 9EL

A magnet for “New Agers” and those

seeking “alternative” lifestyles, medieval

Glastonbury is awash with legend and

religious symbolism. Close to its heart

near the Market Cross, lie the majestic

ruins of Glastonbury Abbey (open

daily), once one of the most powerful

abbeys in the land, but razed

during the Dissolution of

the Monasteries. The abbey

dates mostly to the 12th

and 13th centuries but a

stone church was built here

as early as AD 705. To the

east, topped by the ruins of

St Michael’s church, stands

the cone of Glastonbury Tor

• variously said to be a portal
  to the fairy kingdom, King
  Arthur’s stronghold, or where the
  Holy Grail was kept. Climb up here
  for fabulous views over the Somerset
  Levels – reclaimed marshes whose
  atmosphere is best appreciated by
  bike. To do so, visit Monkey Motion
  (3a Silver St, BA6 8LX; 07530 104 215) who
  have a wide range of bikes for hire.

Above left West façade of Wells Cathedral, built

between 1209–50 Above centre The ruins of

St Michael’s Church on top of Glastonbury Tor

Above right The romantic ruins of Glastonbury

Abbey, set in picturesque parkland

DRIVE 5: A Spiritual Journey

DAY TRIP OPTIONS

Salisbury and Bath are both good bases

for day trips; staying at Glastonbury

enables visits to Wells and a trip into

the Mendips, with the opportunity for

some walking or outdoors activity.

Salisbury and the stones

Learn about the prehistory of the area

in Salisbury museum 1 , then see it

for real at Old Sarum 2 , Stonehenge

3 and Avebury 5. Active families

will have most fun in the outdoor sites

and might want to consider stopping

off in Devizes 4 for a jaunt on the

Kennet and Avon Canal.

From Salisbury, follow the directions to

visit Old Sarum, Stonehenge, Devizes

and Avebury – return via A361 and

A342 for speed and convenience.

Beautiful buildings

Explore the amazing architecture of

Bath 9 , with its inspiring mix of

elegant houses and buildings, its

museums and impressive range of

shops and restaurants. The Roman

Baths are an essential sight. See too,

Bradford-on-Avon 8 for some Anglo-

Saxon and medieval treats and Lacock

Abbey 7 for its intriguing blend of

medieval and 16th-century design.

From Bath, take the A36/B3108 to

Bradford and the B3107/A350 to Lacock.

Glastonbury and the gorges

Staying at Glastonbury e, enjoy the

romantic abbey ruins and a scramble

up Glastonbury Tor for the views. On

to wonderful Wells w for a tour of

the cathedral and adjacent sights, and

then a drive through the Mendip

Hills q via Cheddar, Ebbor and

Wookey Gorges, stopping off at will.

The A39 connects Wells to Glastonbury;

follow the drive’s instructions in reverse

for the gorges. Return via A371 and A39.

Eat and Drink: inexpensive, under £25; moderate, £25–£50; expensive, over £50

Carving on the Market

Cross, Glastonbury

walls and are an important habitat for
wildflowers, insects and wildlife such
as dormice and the peregrine falcon.
ª From Wookey Hole carry on down
the High St onto Wells Rd, following
signs into the centre of Wells. SHOPPING IN GLASTONBURY

For genuine Clark’s shoes often at a

discount, visit Clark’s Factory Shop

(Clarks Village, Farm Rd, Street, BA16

0BB; 0844 499 3805; http://www.clarks.co.uk)

in Street, south of Glastonbury.