Chalice Well at a glance
Chalice Well lies at the foot of the Tor. It is a garden with pools, a well cover and a meadow, run by a trust that asks visitors to treat it as a quiet place. The operator gives a walking time of 10 minutes from the Town Hall and 5 minutes from the top of the High Street. These are the operator's own figures, so allow a little more if you walk slowly or with children.
Many visitors come for the legends. One tradition links the well to the Holy Grail and to Joseph of Arimathea. These are legends, not archaeological facts, and the Abbey itself presents the Grail and Arthur stories as myths. You do not need to share any belief to enjoy the garden. This guide makes no health claims for the water.
Prices in 2026
Day tickets. The Gift Aid price adds a donation that the trust can claim tax on.
| Ticket | Standard | With Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | £6.00 | £6.60 |
| Aged 60 or over, or concession | £4.80 | £5.30 |
| Child aged 5 to 17 | £3.00 | £3.30 |
Concessions include full-time students, Blue Badge holders and some current or former public service workers. You may be asked for proof. You can leave and re-enter on the same day. The ticket office takes cash and cards, but not American Express.
Our picks: a walk to Chalice Well
This guided walk ends at the entrance to the Chalice Well gardens, so you can go straight in.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in British pounds (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Glastonbury tours with Chalice Well
Guided walks and day trips that include Glastonbury, with live prices and availability.
Opening hours and booking
Plan around the season and a few closed days.
Summer: 1 April to 30 September
The garden opens 10:00–18:00, with last entry at 17:30.
Winter: 1 October to 31 March
The garden opens 10:00–16:30, with last entry at 16:00. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day it opens 11:00–15:00.
Booking
Individual visitors do not need to book ahead. Groups should book. On Companions Day, the first Saturday in June, only Companions can enter, so do not plan a visit for that day.
A retreat house
The trust runs Little St Michael's Retreat House for Companions only. It lists £80 per person per night, with a minimum of 2 nights, valid until 31 March 2027. It is not a general hotel.
Behaviour in the garden
The trust asks for quiet. The rules are simple, and they apply to everyone.
- Keep voices low and respect other people's time at the well.
- Put your phone on flight mode when you take photos or notes.
- Do not smoke or vape in the garden.
- Picnics are for the meadow.
Do not carry rules from the White Spring over to Chalice Well, or the other way round. The two sites have separate keepers and different rules. Do not assume you may bathe or paddle in the garden pools. Ask the trust if you are unsure.
Access
What the operator offers.
On site
There is an accessible toilet. A motorised mobility aid and Blue Badge parking are offered. Assistance dogs are welcome.
Before you go
If you need step-free access to every part of the garden, ask the trust first. The garden has slopes and old paths.
A simple half day around the Tor
The sights below sit close together, so one order works well.
Start at the garden
The garden opens at 10:00. In the cooler months it closes at 16:30, with last entry at 16:00, so go early rather than late.
Add the White Spring on its open days
The White Spring lists Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 13:30–16:30 and Saturday and Sunday 13:00–17:00. It is free, and volunteers staff it, so hours can differ on the day.
Climb the Tor in daylight
The National Trust shows dawn to dusk for the Tor. The Tor Bus is listed for early April to the end of September. Outside that season, plan to walk.
Finish in town
The Abbey is on Magdalene Street, and the High Street is close by. See the Abbey guide for tickets.
Combine Chalice Well with other sights
All of these are within a short walk.
Chalice Well: frequently asked questions
How much does Chalice Well cost?
In 2026 an adult ticket is £6 (£6.60 with Gift Aid). Concessions pay £4.80 (£5.30), and children aged 5 to 17 pay £3 (£3.30).
Do I need to book?
Not as an individual visitor. Groups should book ahead. On Companions Day, the first Saturday in June, only Companions can enter.
When is Chalice Well open?
From 1 April to 30 September it opens 10:00–18:00, and from 1 October to 31 March it opens 10:00–16:30. Christmas Day and Boxing Day are 11:00–15:00.
Is the Holy Grail really buried here?
No evidence supports it. The Grail stories are legends. Treat them as part of the place's tradition, not as history.
Can I paddle or swim in the pools?
Do not assume you may bathe or paddle in the garden pools, and ask the trust if you are unsure. The White Spring has its own, different rules.
How far is it from the High Street?
The operator gives 5 minutes on foot from the top of the High Street and 10 minutes from the Town Hall.