Glastonbury Walking Weekend - Explore Myths & Legends

Uncover mysteries and myths on a weekend of leisurely and sociable guided walking at Glastonbury.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hostel
Group Size: Maximum 18
Level: Leisurely to Active
Age: Over 18s only
Dogs: No dogs, except registered assistance dogs

In a nutshell:

Sociable Guided Walks: Head out on two leisurely and relaxing guided walks, exploring Glastonbury’s famous scenery, including the Somerset Levels, Glastonbury Tor, and the Mendip Hills.
Beautiful Surroundings: Soak up the charm of the English countryside, with the chance to enjoy a cider on the lawn of our Swiss villa accommodation.
Wildlife Spotting: Watch for wildlife, including the tens of thousands of wild birds that call the Somerset flats home.
Friendly Group Atmosphere: Meet a welcoming group of fellow walkers, all keen to experience this exceptional countryside together.

Uncover the legends of King Arthur on an epic Glastonbury Walking Weekend

Join us for a leisurely walking weekend in the heart of Somerset, the perfect place to be in the middle of summer as part of a welcoming group. With the famous wildlife paradise of the Somerset levels just a stone’s throw away, we’ll also be surrounded by small hills, ancient woodlands, and the mythical site of Glastonbury Tor. This is an excellent weekend to come on if you're new to Large Outdoors and maybe worried about your fitness, as the aim, as always, is on enjoying the day out rather than trying to cover a huge distance!

We’re based in Street, just south of Glastonbury town itself, where we can easily gain access to some excellent walking trails to discover the best of the local countryside. Think low hills that give wide-reaching views over the landscape, picturesque English parkland dotted with meadows and ancient trees, and of course plenty of the best local cider.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1

You’re welcome to arrive at the hostel at any time after 5pm, where you can relax in the sunlit grounds, surrounded by nature and ready to have a weekend of easy walking and relaxation.

Dinner is served at 8pm, and you’ll hear more about the plans for the next day. Other than that the evening is yours to get to know your walking companions and help yourself to our endless hot drinks.

Day 2

After breakfast at 8am and time to make packed lunches, our plan is to take the group out for the day on a gentle wander exploring the Somerset Levels and the surrounding woodland, viewpoints and farmland.

Along the route we’ll follow rivers, cross ancient meadows, pass through quaint villages and walk through parkland that pretty much sums up all that is great about England. We then come to Glastonbury Abbey, one of England’s earliest Abbeys and legendary resting place of King Arthur.

From here we take the well-made path up to the 518-foot summit of Glastonbury Tor with its 15th century tower dominating the skyline, and marvel at the fantastic views before meandering back to base. Once back at the chalet there’s plenty of time to rest the limbs, perhaps having a cup of tea or pre-dinner drink in the garden before the evening’s meal gets underway. If the weather is good enough we’ll have a BBQ!

Short walk option: As we pass through several villages on this walk, including Glastonbury itself, there’s always scope for people to cut the walk short and be collected by car later in the afternoon. Ask our host on the Friday night if you think you might like to take this option!

Day 3

This morning after breakfast it’s time to pack up and leave the hostel. On Sundays we aim for a 3 hour walk, finishing between 12-1pm near a local pub, where you can either join us for lunch or begin the journey home.

Today's plan is to head out for a stroll through the Mendip Hills, towards the north of the county, scenery typified by its rolling landscape, limestone gorges and ancient woodland. This will be a chance to see a totally different side of Somerset from Saturday’s walk, perhaps visiting Ebbor Gorge and Nature Reserve and wandering through the peaceful Ebbor Wood.

The History and Legend of Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor stands as one of England’s most iconic landmarks, steeped in history and legend. Rising dramatically above the Somerset Levels, the Tor has been a spiritual site for centuries, associated with Celtic mythology, the Isle of Avalon, and King Arthur. At its summit, the remains of St. Michael’s Tower serve as a reminder of its religious significance, with a chapel first built here in the 12th century. Whether you’re drawn by its mystical tales or its breathtaking views, the Tor continues to captivate visitors from around the world.

About the Area – Somerset

Somerset is a walker’s paradise, offering a variety of landscapes perfect for group walking and individual exploration. With the Severn Estuary, Exmoor’s dramatic moors and sea cliffs, the rolling hills of the Quantocks, Black Downs, and Mendips, and the wide plains of the Levels, there’s something for walkers of all abilities. This South-West county, nestled between Gloucestershire and Devon, is also home to iconic landmarks like the legendary Glastonbury Tor, associated with King Arthur, and the Roman city of Bath.

The Somerset Levels provide ideal opportunities for leisurely walks and bird-watching, with surrounding small hills offering easy trails and sweeping views. The area is perfect for group walking experiences, where you can enjoy the peaceful countryside and the charm of ancient villages, perhaps with a cider in hand.

Somerset also boasts several long-distance walking trails, including sections of the Coleridge Way and the South West Coast Path. These trails can be linked to create circular day walks, making it easy to explore the county on foot while connecting with like-minded walkers. Whether you’re looking for a challenging group adventure or a relaxing stroll, Somerset has a route for you.

Essential Information

Meeting Time: from 5pm.
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you.
A home cooked male will be served at 8pm. If you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.
Meeting Location:
YHA Street,
The Chalet,
Ivythorn Hill,
Street,
Somerset,
BA16 0TZ
Parking: There is free parking available.
Public Transport:
Finish Time: We aim to finish on the final day between 1pm and 3pm - the exact finish time may depend on the planned/chosen activity, group dynamic, weather conditions, whether the group chooses to grab a coffee or lunch together during/after, etc. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.
Opened in 1931, YHA Street proudly holds the title of the oldest operating hostel in the YHA network. Nestled in the heart of Somerset, this charming hostel offers a perfect blend of history and comfort. Its location near Glastonbury makes it an excellent base for exploring the area's myths, legends, and scenic trails.
Accommodation Address:
YHA Street,
The Chalet,
Ivythorn Hill,
Street,
Somerset,
BA16 0TZ
Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room
Twin Room
There are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a room with other participants.
Twin Rooms sleep up to two participants booking together in a bunk bed.
The majority of rooms are NOT en-suite and share bathrooms.
Included:
- 2 nights’ accommodation in YHA Street.
- A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.
- Guided walks on two days (Day 2 and Day 3).
- Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on both evenings.
- A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).
- A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Day 2’s walk. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.
- Teas (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and soft drinks at the accommodation.
- The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.
- Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.
Not Included:
- Travel to and from the meeting location.
- Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.
- No towels are provided.
- Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.
- Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.
- Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.
- Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.
- Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.
Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.
The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.
• What level of fitness is needed?
This trip is graded as Leisurely. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.
• Can I attend on my own?
Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.
• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.
This particular experience offers a little more flexibility catering wise, as evening meals are taken at local restaurants, so please contact us if you’d like to check whether it is suitable for your dietary needs.
• What transport is provided during this trip?
We offer transport with a Pickup service (see Meeting Location & Time section above) and transfers from the accommodation to the activity start points.
• Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.