Everyone knows Glastonbury for its legendary music festival, but for me, it’s a place steeped in myth, mystery, and magic. A sanctuary to recharge and cleanse the soul.
A year ago, my good friend and I started dreaming about gathering a group for a spiritual retreat there. Honestly, I never thought it would become a reality—but here’s what happened.
On July 28th, 2024, twenty-seven of us arrived at Bristol Airport. Waiting for us were transports ready to take us to our magical destination—the charming town of Glastonbury. As we reached our beautiful house, everyone found their space, and we gathered for dinner, resting up for the adventures to come the next day.
Our first day:
We had an early breakfast and set off for Stonehenge, arriving around 10 a.m.—a great time to visit, as it started to get much busier by midday. Everyone took their time exploring the site and listening to the available audio guides, gaining insight into the history and significance of the area. There was also plenty of time for us to gather, share our thoughts, and appreciate the different ways each person experienced the site. This remarkable prehistoric megalithic structure clearly left a lasting impression on all of us.
After leaving Stonehenge, we made our way to the beautiful city of Salisbury. Following a wonderful lunch, it was time to visit the cathedral and its stunning cloister. I mentioned that if anyone had read The Pillars of the Earth, this is the very cathedral being built in the story. I also shared a bit about its history, explaining that inside the cloister—where we walked through—is one of the surviving copies of the Magna Carta, an early reference to the English Constitution.
We ended the day with a relaxed stroll around the city, did a bit of shopping, then headed back home for dinner and a good night’s sleep—recharging for the day ahead.
Day two: the magic happens
The next morning began with contagious enthusiasm. Guests wore beautiful green and gold outfits, reminiscent of druids, setting the tone for a magical day. Glastonbury awaits!.
The highlight was our private access to the White Spring for the Water Rebirth ceremony. This sacred experience offered a chance to cleanse, let go of burdens, and reconnect with our true selves.
The rest of the day was spent admiring the magnificent abbey, exploring its history, and soaking in the charm of the town. A sumptuous dinner rounded off another inspiring day.
Day Three, we met King Arthur
If we thought the previous days had been incredible, today left everyone truly stunned—filled with a deep sense of satisfaction and serenity.
Our first stop was St. Nectan’s Glen, which, as the website perfectly puts it, is “a miracle of nature.” We walked for about half an hour along a peaceful footpath through the trees, following a stream all the way to the waterfall. It’s impossible not to be moved by the beauty and tranquility of the place—it radiates a calming energy that you can really feel.
When we reached the waterfall, everyone kicked off their shoes and stepped straight into the water. There was chanting and meditation, lots of laughter and photos, and for me, the joy and gratitude of witnessing how much everyone was enjoying the experience.
After spending nearly three hours in such a beautiful, soul-soothing place, we were back on the road—off to another magical moment… Tintagel.
This amazing part of Cornwall is famous for being the legendary birthplace of King Arthur. The small town is easy to walk around and full of charming restaurants and cafés.
To reach King Arthur’s Castle, you cross a footbridge—and the dramatic cliff-top views will truly take your breath away. We explored the castle ruins, taking in the stunning coastal scenery. And of course, we couldn’t miss the chance to snap a photo with King Arthur himself!
I had checked the tide times in advance, since you can only visit Merlin’s Cave when the tide is low. A steep set of steps leads you down to the cave. We made our way down, and as the day was warm enough, we couldn’t resist a dip in the cold, clear waters. The beach is surrounded by small caves and a lovely waterfall, adding to the magical feel of the place.
We ended our visit with a delicious dinner and meaningful conversation about everything we had experienced—a perfect close to a truly memorable day.
Day 4, The Tor.
Staying in Glastonbury today. It was time to walk up to the Tor and visit its Sant Michel Tower, with its history and mysticism. Today was a spiritual day for most of the group, so the walk up the Tor was done in silence. Everyone took their time to get there and, once at the top, they positioned themselves in front of the Tower. I must say that I did enjoy the walk up. Music start to be playing, singing, everyone immersed in deep meditation. People nearby started sitting around the group. It was a magic moment shared with other souls with the same spiritual values as you. The descent was even quieter than the ascent, but we began to reconnect with each other.
After a nice lunch we made our way to “The Chalice Wells”. First thing when you enter this living sanctuary of healing, sanctity and peace is, put your phone in airplane mode. Mobile cannot be used during your visit. The garden is divided into various distinct sections, and no matter where you are, the soothing sound of water can be heard throughout. Everything is geometrically designed, and every location has its own story behind it. The Vesice pool, the holy thorn, Yew trees (symbolically represent the entrance to Avalon), Wellhead and Sanctuary….. and before we knew it, the day had come to an end.
Last Day….
On our last day in Glastonbury, we spent the morning wandering around the town, grabbing some lunch, and picking up a few souvenirs from our time here before heading back to the airport. I could see the happiness and contentment on their faces, and it filled me with joy. Moments like that remind me how important it is to give whatever little I can.
Until next time.…
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