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The ruins of Glastonbury Abbey church

Independent Glastonbury travel guide

Glastonbury Abbey

The Abbey ruins stand in the middle of Glastonbury, a short walk from the High Street. This page covers 2026 prices, opening hours, access and the legends told about the site.

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Glastonbury Abbey at a glance

Glastonbury Abbey is a ruined abbey in the town centre. The entrance is on Magdalene Street, so you do not need a car or a long walk to reach it. The grounds include the ruins, the Lady Chapel, a museum, the Abbot's Kitchen and the Yard Café. The café is open to visitors who do not buy an Abbey ticket.

This is an independent guide, not the website of the Abbey. Prices and hours below are those listed by the operator in 2026. They can change, and special events are priced separately.

£14Adult ticket online, including a voluntary donation (2026)
£15Adult ticket at the gate (2026)
10:00 to 17:00Current opening hours; last entry 16:15
2 children freePer paying adult, under 16
Glastonbury Abbey ruins in summer

Tickets and prices in 2026

Online booking is by date. Book by 18:00 on the day before.

TicketPriceNotes
Adult, online£14Includes a voluntary donation; a ticket without the donation is offered too
Adult, at the gate£15Normal admission
Children under 162 free per paying adultFurther children £6.60 each; children must be accompanied
Groups10 percent offFrom 10 adults

Online tickets are not refundable, and everyone on one booking must arrive together. These prices apply to normal admission, not to events with their own price. For concessions, ask at the gate or check the Abbey's ticket page before you go.

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Opening hours and winter days

Do not assume the Abbey is open every day all year.

The current visitor page lists daily opening from 10:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:15. Last entry is generally 45 minutes before closing. The same page announces that from 2 November the Abbey opens Tuesday to Sunday only, and that it closes on Christmas Day. It does not give a full winter calendar, so check the date you plan to visit.

Another page on the Abbey's site still shows a 2023 season plan and a closing time of 18:00. Treat that as old. If you are travelling in winter, plan for a Tuesday to Sunday visit and look at the current page the week before.

What to see inside

The ruins, the chapel, the museum and the kitchen.

The ruins of the great church

The roofless walls of the abbey church are the main sight. Walk around them first, then go into the smaller buildings.

The Lady Chapel

Below the Lady Chapel is a crypt. You reach it by stairs only. A viewing bridge above the crypt can be reached without steps.

Museum and Abbot's Kitchen

The museum has a level entrance or a ramp. The Abbot's Kitchen is reached by a ramp or level ground.

The Yard Café

You can use the café without an Abbey ticket, which makes it an easy stop after the High Street.

The Lady Chapel at Glastonbury Abbey

Arthur, Avalon and the Grail: legends, not facts

What the operator itself says about them.

Glastonbury Abbey in early evening

The Abbey is traditionally named as the last resting place of King Arthur. The Abbey's own page on myths and legends stresses that very little reliable evidence exists for Arthur as a historical person. The stories of Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail are also explained there as myths.

Read them as part of the site's long folklore. They are part of why people visit, and they give the ruins their name beyond Somerset. They are not proven archaeology, and no guide should present the Grail or an Arthur grave as established fact.

Access and practical tips

Facts from the operator's accessibility information.

Step-free arrival

The main entrance slopes slightly but has no steps. Wide gravel paths suit wheelchairs and mobility aids.

Where stairs remain

The crypt under the Lady Chapel can be reached by stairs only. The bridge above it is level.

Plan the day

The Abbey sits between the High Street and the Tor. A common order is the Tor in the morning, lunch in town and the Abbey in the afternoon. Last entry is at 16:15, so do not arrive late.

For parking and buses, see getting there. The High Street and Chalice Well are both within walking distance, and the Tor is the other main landmark.

Glastonbury Abbey: frequently asked questions

How much is Glastonbury Abbey?

In 2026 an adult ticket costs £14 online, which includes a voluntary donation, and £15 at the gate. Two children under 16 enter free with each paying adult, and further children cost £6.60.

Do I need to book in advance?

Online tickets are tied to a date and must be booked by 18:00 on the day before. You can also pay at the gate, which costs £15 for adults.

Is the Abbey open every day?

Currently daily from 10:00 to 17:00. From 2 November the page lists Tuesday to Sunday only, and the Abbey is closed on Christmas Day. Check the current page before a winter visit.

Is King Arthur buried at the Abbey?

It is a legend. The Abbey is traditionally named as his resting place, but the operator says there is very little reliable evidence about Arthur as a historical person.

Is the Abbey accessible for wheelchair users?

The main entrance has no steps, and wide gravel paths suit wheelchairs. The crypt under the Lady Chapel has stairs only, and a bridge above it is level.

Can I visit the café without a ticket?

Yes. The Yard Café can be used without an Abbey ticket.

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