Glastonbury - Chalice Well & Wells Cathedral

It was great that all things I wanted to see were in easy walking distance from the hotel. After a good nights 'ghostless' sleep we set off for The Chalice Well, one of the most loved holy wells in the UK. The Well and surrounding gardens are a peaceful, spiritual sanctuary to soothe the soul and restore spirits. People come here to experience the healing properties of the Well and the 'Red Spring' or 'Blood Spring'. The legend is that the blood of Christ spurted from the ground when Joseph of Arimathea washed the cup used at the last supper. The water was very rich in iron and too much is not recommended. I felt full of the essence of life after a few sips!

Both The Well and the Gardens lie in a stunning vale between Chalice Hill and The Tor. The gardens rise up following the course of the waters to the source at the well head. The water provides 'energy' as well as the healing properties.






 King Arthur's Court and Healing Pool

Just a few miles away lies the beautiful cathedral city of Wells. Named after the three wells dedicated to St Andrew. Wells Cathedral is the seat of The Bishop of Bath and Wells who lives nearby in the Bishops Palace. Built between 1175 and 1490, Wells Cathedral has been described as “the most poetic of the English Cathedrals”. The magnificent West Front (1230) contains one of the largest galleries of mediaeval sculptures n the world. It is an illustration in stone of the development of Christian faith right through the twelve apostles with Christ. Inside there were some fascinating clocks. On the North Transept is an amazing astronomical clock dated between 1386 - 1392. The dial is a geocentric view of the universe, with sun and moon revolving round a central fixed earth. Above the clock and to the right is a figure, known as Jack Blandifers, who hits bells with a hammer held in his right hand and by hitting his heels on two bells hung beneath him. A set of jousting knights also chase each other every 15 minutes.

Vicars'Close is claimed to be the oldest purely residential street with its original buildings all surviving intact in Europe. It is made up of 27 residential Grade 1 residencies dating from mid 14th Century.