path to the Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor
Somerset, England

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Just hearing the name- Glastonbury- brings images to mind: Arthurian England and Avalon, magical druids, hordes of young people covered in mud listening to music.  In life, Glastonbury Tor truly is a magical place.  There is a reason that all these iconographic legends are attached to it.  When we caught our first glimpse of the Tor; we were struck by its perfection.  It appears as a hallucination, something too wonderfully perfect to be real.

As we climbed toward the tower on top of Holly Hill,  I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of thousands of feet that have trod the same path over thousands of years.  Arthur trod here; for as long as man has been in England, he has walked these paths.  Saxon kings, Roman centurions, me.

The famous little town (10,,000 people) of Glastonbury is a bit hippie touristic these days.  What we did, and highly recommend, is to stop in and grab a picnic from the many organic food vendors who line the streets.  Definitely walk! Walk to the top of the High Street, make a right behind the abbey (duck in the back gate for a cute little garden and follow the signs up the back path towards the Tor.

We went totally hippie and brought divining rods (thanks Zoe!)- and I tell you they work!  It was amazing to watch them cross as we transgressed the ley lines and power spots.  One thing I found quite interesting, though in retrospect quite obvious, is that wherever I found a trampled oval from a resting sheep- I would invariably find a power spot where my rods would cross as fast as if someone grabbed them while in my hands!  If you didn’t bring a pair, grab one in any of the shops and head out to do some magic yourself – your in Avalon!

King John’s Hunting Lodge
Tea Room
(44) (0) 124 – 973 0313
21 Church Street
Lacock, Wiltshire, SN15  2LB
England

Opening Hours:
11:00am – 5:30ish pm   Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays

www.kingjohnslodge.2day.ws.
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In the über picturesque village of Lacock, in a tiny Tudor building (1167 – 1216), behind a garden of poppies and wild flowers, sits the lovely King John’s Hunting Lodge Tea House.

Arriving along the ancient lane,  you float through the gate and garden. Soaking in the pure Englishness of the scene.  Pitched roofs, dripping windows, muted brick and bright flowers set the scene for an excellent spot of tea.

Our arrival on a cool early spring day, gave us an idea of how important these warm homey spots were.  Brushing off the chill we soaked up the warm ambiance.  Once settled, we indulged in the “King John’s Royal Tea”, which included delectable Tea sandwiches (A yummy Welsh Rarebit for me – wish I had one now!) & warm scones served with local fruit jams and organic Jersey clotted cream.

(above photo © Hiro Nakamura )

We spread it on everything we could!  Of all the scones and jams I’ve had, this sitting raised the bar yet again.  Looking at the origins, I could see this being the perfect calorie filled breakfast for farmers setting out for a day’s labor.

A lighter version is the “Margart’s Cream Tea” which is the same, without the sandwiches.   Pretty blue and white china bore all the treats in a manor befitting the period-ness of Lacock

A daily menu includes soups, homemade breads, delicious pastries, mackerel cakes and more!  There is a fine selection of tea, hot chocolate, coffee, spiced apple, elderflower presse, hot berry bliss … and a little shop for take away.

Really just a pleasant place to lunch – thoroughly English

(above photo © Glencot House)

Glencot House
Hotel and Restaurant
(44)  (0) 174 967 7160

Glencot Lane, Wookey Hole
Wells, Somerset, BA5  1BH  UK

www.glencothouse.co.uk.
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While touring the West Country, we stopped by the lovely town of Wells in Somerset.  There we experienced this enchanting cornucopia of a hotel.  In one truly enchanting day, we explored its myriad of rooms, miles of books, plethora of antiques- and then there are the grounds.

Built in the Jacobean style by architects Ernest George and Harold Peto in the late eighteen hundreds after the original burned down, The house has changed ownership many times as a residence, until  the nineteen seventies, when it became a school.  Then, shortly before the eighties,  it reverted to a residence again and  in its latest incarnation, it became a hotel.   In 2006 Martin Miller, the founder of Miller’sAntiques Guides and Miller’s Gin, acquired the property and renovated it into a wonderful cabinet of curiosities!

The lovely gardens are home to sculpted vignettes scripted from storybook.  They are crossed by the river Axe, which glides through the property enhancing the magic.

(above Left photo © Glencot House)

There is a constant stream of events throughout the year- including writers retreats  and culinary weekends.

The rooms  are quite comfortable and luxurious.  Each is themed to a whim of Miller’s and features an array of antiquities to keep the eye roaming the walls, continually discovering new nooks and treasures.  Our room was a exotic combination of black walls and flowered drapery.  A window overlooked the green below.

A full service restaurant prepares strong English fare with grace and style.  The dining rooms are well proportioned and the staff quite amicable (as they are hotel-wide).

For us Glencot House is the reason we travel and what a hotel is meant to be.  To step out of the every day, to leave the known world behind- and enter into the imagination.

(above Left photo © Glencot House)

(above Left and Right photos © Glencot House)

Lacock,
Wiltshire  England

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About two hours from London by car (the nearest railway station is at Chippenham 5k away) you find the most picturesque village i

n the West Country.  The village dates back to the 13th century, although the stone cottages where built in 18th century, and it looks like it!

During the Middle Ages Lacock became a centre of  wool trade and is now almost entirely owned by the National Trust. Wandering around Lacock gives a wonderful idea of what mid-millennial life looked like.  A small town surrounded by farms, fields & abbey.  Well worth the trip, there are wonderful little shops and eateries.  It is quite nice that while they cater to the tourist, they do not capitulate; staying true to their historic roots and ideals.  This is a functioning town that has life outside of your visit- and that makes it all the more special.

Lacock was also home to William Henry Fox Talbot- the father of modern photography- who invented the positive-negative film process.  He was also one of the last owners of the lovely Lacock Abbey, and it was his granddaughter Matilda Talbot, who presented the Abbey and village to the National Trust in 1944

The town itself is favorite as a location for period films including Harry Potter & The Half Blood Prince, Pride and Prejudice, Cranford, The Other Boleyn Girl, Emma… for a complete list of films check the wiki.

So while wandering around the West Country, put Lacock on the short list of places to visit.