Visiting UK

Top 5 Things to Do in Glastonbury

Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury is best known for its annual music festival, but the town itself has some great attractions that can keep visitors entertained during the rest of the year. To help you get inspiration for your trip, below is my list of the top 5 things to do in Glastonbury.

1. Hike up to Glastonbury Tor. Dating back centuries, the beautiful tower at the top of the city’s highest hill offers spectacular views across the English countryside. The climb is steep, but well worth the reward.

2. Go shopping. Glastonbury’s high street has a great variety of funky shops, cafes, boutiques, and restaurants. From chocolate aphrodisiac shops to stores selling crystals, there is no end to the things you can discover there. If you need a break, the bakeries and cafes on the high street sell great tasting pastries and light fare.

3. Visit Glastonbury Abbey. The ancient monument, church, and legendary burial place of King Arthur are beautiful places to visit. The ruins of the historic monastery, once the largest in England, are stunning, and the parkland around them is a peaceful place for a walk.

4. Visit the Somerset Rural Life Museum. On a quiet street in Glastonbury lies the pretty Somerset Rural Life Museum. The abbey barn, Victorian farmhouse, and bucolic yard offer great displays that show what Victorian domestic life was like in the county.

5. Go to the Glastonbury Festival. If you manage to get tickets, it is worth the trip. The festival is one of the largest and best known music festivals in the UK, and is certainly one of the top 5 things to do in Glastonbury.

Exeter Christmas Market

Exeter Christmas Market Dates:
late November to mid-December

Opening Hours:
Monday to Wednesday 10:00 to 20:00
Thursday to Saturday 10:00 to 21:00
Sunday 11:00 to 17:00

The Exeter Christmas market is a great place to spend time during the Christmas season. Located right on Cathedral Green, the market is graced with the sunning backdrop of the city’s largest and most famous church.

Wooden chalets fill the area, each vending food, drinks, or crafts. On the culinary end of the spectrum, you can choose from a wide variety of food from all over the world. German sausages, French crepes, Belgian waffles, Dutch cheeses, Spanish paella, and even Australian kangaroo are all available at various stalls throughout the market.

There is also no shortage of vendors offering traditional mulled wine, hot chocolate, and other hot beverages. You can get your drinks in souvenir mugs that will keep your hands warm as you peruse the craft stalls. Those offer goods from every corner of the world, from Finnish toys to Peruvian clothing. Additionally, there is a large garden stall selling all kinds of plants, flowers, and Christmas trees.

Throughout the season, carol singers and other performers entertain visitors at the Exeter Christmas market, adding festive cheer and beautiful sounds to the atmosphere.

Trains from London to Lyon

St Pancras

Eurostar offer trains from London to Lyon and other cities in the south of France. While these routes used to have direct services during the summer months, they now require a change en route.

Trains from London to Lyon leave from St Pancras train station, and the journey time is approximately 4 hours and 45 minutes.

On the way to and from Lyon, passengers change trains in Lille. When returning, they can clear passport control there before returning to the UK.

Return ticket prices for trains from London to Lyon are £109 in Standard class. There is a £4 fee if you book with a credit card, but no fee if you book with a debit card.