Hi, we are traveling from London to Avebury. We will either stay in Bath a couple of nights and see the area, including Salisbury and Winchester; or travel east to Glastonbury and Wells. We think we will feel rushed if we go to Glastonbury, etc for only one night but wonder what you all think of missing Glastonbury and its spiritual calling (Tur) vs missing Salisburynand Winchester? Thank you!
Posted by
UK
1015 posts
Glastonbury only has a spiritual calling if that's the kind of spiritual calling you're into. Shops full of crystals, tarot cards etc. Think Sedona. I find it tatty and cynical.
Salisbury Cathedral is one of the great human-made landmarks of the UK, possibly the world. Regardless of spirituality, it's jaw droppingly amazing.
Wells is a pretty small town with a lovely cathedral but Salisbury has THAT SPIRE.
Posted by
One hour North of New York City but born and bred in England.
32 posts
I completely agree with Jane!
Both Salisbury and Winchester are well worth your time. I'd recommend Salisbury and its cathedral for you. If you can book a tour do it. If you can book a tower tour, definitely do it! The guides are excellent and the views are amazing.
Salisbury has plenty good places to eat and drink and good examples of Tudor architecture. The museum is extensive and there is a market on Tuesdays and Saturday with some great local vendors.
At some point as you head to Salisbury, you'll crest a hill and see THAT SPIRE... Savor that initial view and imagine how a medieval pilgrim to the Cathedral would feel seeing a spire over 400 feet tall at a time when most other buildings were just one or two storeys high.
Posted by
3122 posts
Another vote for Salisbury. Glastonbury does have the lovely Tor, but the town has gotten ridiculously hippy-dippy (IMHO).
Are you driving or using public transportation? Salisbury encourages park & ride instead of driving through town. It has a bus you can take to Old Sarum (or go on foot if you fancy about a 2-mile walk); that same bus goes to Stonehenge.
Posted by
2422 posts
If you skip Avebury, you could take the train to Bath and book into a hotel. (No car needed in Bath - all walkable). You could take a day trip by train to Cardiff = 1 hour from Bath. You could easily do Salisbury by train from Bath and take the shuttle bus to Stonehenge.
Alternatively, pack up in Bath, train to Salisbury, and stay in a hotel 1 night before train back to London (Waterloo).
Best to pre book PAD > BTH here if using train. https://www.gwr.com
Best site for train schedules & fares = www.nationalrail.co.uk
I am not keen on Glastonbury and Wells Cathedral is not so attractive as Salisbury. If using a car, consider a day out from Bath in the lower Wye Valley - just over the M48 Severn Bridge: (35 minutes from Bath) - Chepstow Castle, Tintern Abbey, Yat Rock, Raglan Castle etc.http://www.visitcardiff.com
http://www.cardiffcastle.com
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/tinternabbey/?lang=en
http://cadw.gov.wales/daysout/chepstow-castle/?lang=en
http://www.visitwales.com/explore/south-wales/wye-valley-vale-usk/must-do-list