Glastonbury Abbey

Walk through the skeletal remains of one of England's most powerful monasteries and you're stepping into something genuinely profound. Founded in the 5th century, Glastonbury Abbey rose to dominance during the Middle Ages, only to be torn apart during Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. You'll wander amongst the abbey's haunting stone foundations—the Lady Chapel, the soaring nave arches—whilst the Tor looms mysteriously across the landscape. There's a palpable sense of lost grandeur here, a tangible connection to centuries of pilgrimage and faith. The Abbey Museum houses artefacts that ground the ruins in real history, and the grounds themselves feel contemplative rather than touristy, even when busy.