We (3 adults) are staying in Bath and planning to take a day trip to Glastonbury by bus. Once we get to Glastonbury, is it easy to see all the sites without a car or should we do a tour from Bath?
Thank you.
Posted by
205 posts
It is a small town. It has 40 shops selling dream catchers and other New Age rubbish and the Abbey. 10 minutes on foot will cover it all.
Posted by
UK
1015 posts
There is also Glastonbury Tor, a short walk from the town centre.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/glastonbury-tor
Like the above poster, I am struggling to think what you mean by "ALL the sights." Just the Tor, the Abbey and an awful lot of shops selling crystals, angel stuff and the like. If you have a high tolerance for that kind of stuff, it's an interesting half day. Personally I couldn't wait to leave!
Posted by
2422 posts
Glastonbury is simply not worth visiting. You would need 2 buses and it can take nearly 2 hours each way. If you want to go in that direction, then Wells - which has a medieval cathedral and is nearer to Bath - would be a better option. If you want to find out how to get from a to b in Britain - try using >http://www.traveline.info
For day trip from Bath, I would suggest taking the train to Cardiff. Trains are hourly and it takes 1 hour. On arrival in Cardiff, walk to the Castle from the Central station:>http://www.cardiffcastle.com
Then, leave castle & turn R and walk into Bute Park - which is just west of the Castle. (If in summer, try and see the flower borders in Bute Park by just following the main path). Then, return to the water bus stop that is clearly visible and go to Cardiff Bay where you will land at Mermaid Quay. (You can return to the city centre on the number 6 bus (they don’t give change) which stops outside the Wales Millennium Centre in the Bay).http://www.visitcardiff.com/seedo/mermaid-quay/
If you don’t want to use the ferry to the Bay, use the number 6 bus both ways. (Walk west from Castle to Angel Hotel & turn left into Westgate Street - then look for a number 6 bus stop).
http://www.visitcardiff.com
Trains:> www.nationalrail.co.uk
An off-peak day return from Bath to Cardiff Central = £20.50 for the 9.36 or later/ it is £23.30 for earlier trains Monday to Friday. The lower fare applies to all trains on Saturdays. Avoid Sundays = engineering work often takes place. Lines in this area are being electrified. Please click this link and don’t bother with Cardiff on any of the dates shown:> https://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/planned-engineering/autumn-upgrade-2017
Also consider going from Bath to Salisbury by train. Salisbury has shuttle buses to Stonehenge.https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
I would not disagree with any of the other comments, and think that Wells is a much better choice for a day out from Bath, but if you do go to Glastonbury, don't miss the recently improved Rural Life Museum - https://www.swheritage.org.uk/rural-life-museum.
Posted by
OP
San Francisco
32 posts
Thank you for all your replies and suggestions. It looks like it's not worth it to visit Glastonbury given that I have to travel 4 hours by bus.
Posted by
TX, USA
4113 posts
Good choice, Holly. I did love the Abbey but for us Glastonbury was a stop off on the way to Wells (with a car). Have to admit it was a "different" experience wandering through the town near there, but I certainly would not travel 4 hours to see it! You have received some other great suggestions, if you are looking for a day trip. :)
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
6560 posts
I enjoyed the abbey ruins and walking around the small village. I missed Glastonbury Tor so I'm not certain if one can walk there from the center of town. Like someone else mentioned, Glastonbury is all new age stuff, reminiscent of certain places in the states in the late 1960s.
Posted by
S.F. Bay Area, CA, United States
1878 posts
I'm not sure if you can walk out to the Tor or not, but I thought it was an extremely nice visit (we had a rental car). We liked the chalice well garden too, even though it's just a fairy tale legend (I am pretty sure). The Abbey is supposed to be the best sight in town, but it really did not do that much for me. The quirky atmosphere of the town reminded me of Santa Cruz, CA. It's good for a short visit but not someplace you would stay overnight.
Posted by
2422 posts
A more impressive ruined abbey can be found over the Severn bridge at Tintern - which is about a 40 minute drive from Bath. Chepstow Castle is also nearby. http://www.castlewales.com/tintern.html