As erosional forces dug away with limestone and clays, the sandstone lasts resisting erosion and creating steep slopes. The Tor has a conical shape made up of horizontal bands of limestone, and clay, and capped with sandstone. Geologically the Tor rises from Lower lias clays and limestones from the Middle and Upper Lias to a deposit of hard midford sand at the cap of 521 feet and is called the “Tor Burr”. During the legendary Isles of Avalon, this would have been the highest point on the isles. The Tor is a tall hill that ascends over 158 meters from Glastonbury and hosts panoramic views of the English countryside, viewing the three counties of Somerset, Dorset, and Wiltshire. It is extremely popular in the Arthurian legends. One of the most infamous landmarks of Glastonbury is the Tor.

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This is the most likely reason for the legend of his grave being found in the abbey ruins below the hill.

The Tor was probably once an island, hence its identification with the mysterious Island of Avalon, a place between the worlds, where tradition says that Arthur came to be healed of his wounds and to await his recall in a time of great need. Cadbury Castle can be glimpsed away to the south, and Brent Knoll rises away to the west, near the Bristol Channel. Modern pilgrims still trace its path to the summit and speak of visionary experiences when they have done so.įrom the summit of the Tor, which rises some 500 feet above sea level, there is a panaromic view of the surrounding countryside. This, it is said, was once a sacred processional way, used by priests and priestesses to reach the stone circle which then crowned the Tor. A recent theory claims the existence of a man-made, sevenfold maze, carved out of the Tor itself. Collen, but who is still believed to haunt the hills around Glastonbury. Michael.īeneath the Tor is said to lie a subterranean kingdom ruled over by the Lord of the Wild Hunt, Gwynn ap Nud, a powerful other-worldly figure who was once banished by the Celtic St. On top of Glastonbury Tor stands the tower of the church of St. Many claim to have found their goal, and remain in the peaceful market town to the bewilderment of the local inhabitants.

People come in search of many things: the Grail enlightenment inspiration. Rising like a beacon from the flat Somerset plain, the Tor seems to beckon the pilgrims who journey in their thousands to this remarkable spot, once described as ‘this holiest earth’.

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