Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury

Glastonbury Abbey in Somerset is a fun place to take children for a couple of hours. You can see the ruins of the original Abbey and visit the exhibition centre where you can see displays on the history of the abbey. There is also a lovely gift shop where you can get souvenirs from the local area. The abbey is set in wonderful grounds and you can spend ages walking around these or sitting in the sun. There is nowhere to eat at the abbey itself but there are plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby as the abbey is just off the main road through Glastonbury.

We visited the Abbey for the Teddy Bear’s picnic which was an afternoon event. Though it was dry the weather was very cold and this kept the visitors away which was a shame as there was lots of activities for the children to do. We enjoyed the trail (there was two – a very simple one for the younger ones and a longer more difficult one for the older kids). The children received a prize once they had completed it. Other activities included skittles, hoopla, rope making, snail racing and jousting. The children had a go at jousting against each other which my son loved. All activities were free once you had paid to get into the Abbey. We got teas, coffees and ice creams from the outside café and managed to have a good time despite the weather.

Glastonbury Abbey is great for kids to learn about the past. We really loved the brass rubbing and the children were very interested in the miniature model of how the Abbey once looked when complete. At the back of the grounds there are two large ponds, one with geese and ducks and another with huge fish that you see very clearly from the sides. The Abbot’s kitchen at Glastonbury Abbey is still intact and has been set up to show what it would have been like in the sixteenth century. A lovely experience, we would recommend taking a picnic!

We love Glastonbury Abbey and try and visit as much as possible. The Abbey grounds are extensive, peaceful and completely enclosed so the kids can run about, really as far as they want and we don’t worry about roads and getting lost. A number of ruins lie around the grounds; the main ones form a great base for ‘historic re-enactments’! But even the more simple remains, such as small walls and steps, all offer a great base for little explorers to use their imagination and play. In the summer Glastonbury Abbey provide events for children (the Teddy Bears Picnic in May is a favourite!) and the little tea kiosk sells lovely ice creams.

Though it might not be the first place you think of to take the children, Glastonbury Abbey is a really nice family day out. It’s a bit pricey to get in but once inside it’s well worth it. The grounds are very well kept and have a lovely atmosphere about them. My son (7yrs) loved running in and out of the archways and around the ruins. There are plenty of places where they can climb over the stones and up and down hilly areas. There is a lake and herb garden to explore too. There are no play areas but children I have seen there, of all ages, seem to just love the open space. In the summer there is a small outdoor café selling cream teas and ice creams. You can also take a picnic. I would highly recommend going if you are in the area on a sunny day.