One of the joys of any visit to Glastonbury is, for me, the artwork. It is everywhere in the town, from public art to glorious graffiti. Almost every shop sells handcrafted work in every imaginable medium, from paintings and sculpture to clothing and jewellery… with the weird, wild and wonderful in between.
The buildings themselves are, for the most part, very old and date back centuries. The Tribunal and the George and Pilgrim, for example, date back to the 15th century. Many buildings are carved with strange creatures or enigmatic figures. There are odd door-knockers and narrow alleys… but everywhere there is something to catch the attention.
As most people had followed the maypole up the hill, there was a lull in proceedings and the town was suddenly quiet. We took the opportunity to pay the obligatory visit to Star Child. I would have gone there, just to breathe, even if we hadn’t wanted to buy incense; it is a delightful place… and, not being enamoured of the whole retail experience, that is not something I often say of a shop!
Their front door alone is worth seeing, carved in sinuous lines from a huge piece of wood, it is a thing of real beauty that leads into a place that smells like paradise. I can’t help it if this sounds like an advert for the shop… just go there, if you are ever in Glastonbury and breathe for yourself. I love the innumerable drawers stuffed with dried herbs; it reminds me of the old herbalist in my home town where I first started to learn their medicinal uses.That too was a place of delight where Latin and common names came together to give a clue to the student, but although it too smelled wonderful, the blending and burning of incense and fragrant oils in Glastonbury gives the shop a whole other dimension.
Star Child is to be found in the tiny Courtyard off the High Street. There are a number of other shops, but it is always the artwork that delights me, and for that there is no need to cross any threshold…it is everywhere.
Glastonbury is, by nature, a town that attracts the artist and the Bohemian as well as the seekers of light and legend. There is a ‘feel’ to the place that is hard to describe, but I know very few people who have not felt the spirit of the land run her fingers down their spine there. It is not in the town itself, nor in the shops…not even in the arts and crafts that you find it; they are just an outward sign of something much more subtle and I think, it it that which draws the artists, seekers and creators to the place… something in the land itself, that knows it is revered and sacred. In Glastonbury, Avalon is never far away.
I love the art as part of life approach. And especially love ” In Glastonbury, Avalon is never far away.” Now I really need to go to Glastonbury!
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You definitely do, Barb. It is an experience 🙂
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We look forward to welcoming you!
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A very good post and nice art. Thanks for sharing!
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My pleasure, Henrietta.
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Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie.
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Everyone should visit Glastonbury, they won’t be disappointed!
I have often meant to look up what the name of the town actually means…
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The jury seems to be out on that one, Jaye. I’ve never found an official and definitive meaning.
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Enjoyed reading this and seeing the photographs. As Town Crier, there is no better place to be on a busy, sunny Saturday in the summer.
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I can imagine, David. I don’t get there often enough these days.
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One of my favourite places also. Though I have only been there once in my youth it was a life changing experience, definitely a spiritual hub and where I got my first glimpse of true Christianity. Thanks for sharing the pictures i saw none of them during my long ago visit – maybe I should return.
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It is always worth another trip, Claire..and it is always a place of change 🙂
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Everything you say about Glastonbury is true, a wonderfully quirky, often kitsch and borderline crackers place that makes your shoulders relax even without realising it…. except the bloody incense. I must have a plebeian nose because I’m often overwhelmed by the assault. A bit of rosemary, or a vanilla pod and I’m your man but this supercalifragilisticacious discombobulation blows my sinuses…
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The stuff they make at that shop is superb…though I can imagine some might find it to be overpowering when you get the full frontal assault 🙂
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Hang on a mo’ … I’m packing my bags….
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Heh 😀
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I look forward to welcoming you!
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🙂
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I love Glastonbury and went there a lot when we lived in Somerset. Hoping to visit again soon.
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Then you know just what the place feels like, Cathy.
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I do 🙂
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You’ll have to let me know if you come over 🙂
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Oh yes, will do 😊
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🙂
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Gosh Sue, I went to this place when I visited Glastonbury about 10 years ago on Christmas eve. I had forgotten all about it til I saw the photographs. It was a fantastic and magical courtyard. Thanks for the memories.
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There is a lot crammed into that little space, isn’t there?
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You should have stopped by and said hello.
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If I’d realised you were there, Steph, I would have…though I was thoroughly lurgied at the time 😉
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Next time eh😁 drop into Man, Myth & Magik. I’m always around 😁 flag you had fun.
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I usually do… we were right next door too in Morgy’s office for most of the day.
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Fantastic shop!
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Thank you Mr David 🤗
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Avalon is never far away – another said my very words I wanted to make in this comment. Lovely post Sue thank you!
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It always feels as aclose as a breath there.
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How absolutely charming! The art of outside wall art is catching on Chapel Hill. We have murals on almost all the large buildings and little objets d’art here and there.
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I love having art as part of evereyday life. Some of the graffiti is superb.
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I love that door! And…just everything. The shop’s website… I’d have to leave my credit card at home. I could spend hours in there.
I will never, ever, forget the feel of Glastonbury. It is… I have no words. But, yes, this: “In Glastonbury, Avalon is never far away.” ❤
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It is the only shop I always head for…and always buy something. I try and stay clear of the bookshops 😉
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Your photos are outstanding. It’s so much fun to go on a tour with you.
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I just love sharing the journey 🙂
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What a fabulous place. xx💜
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It is, Willow… and I think this little courtyard captures so much of the town in itself.
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It’s years since we have visited Glastonbury I think it is time we headed up that way again!💖🤗
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I won’t argue with that 😉
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Good 🤗
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NOW I want to go shopping! I love your stories! I hope you are feeling better, too.
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Getting there, Marilyn 🙂
I can’t help shopping at Star Child…it is obligatory 🙂
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I clicked on the link for Star Child. I agree it will be a place to visit for me. I can imagine entering the shop and just being.
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It is a superb place to visit Adele… I have some fo their incense burning now and it smells like paradise 🙂
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sweet.. its preety..
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🙂
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This is amazing!
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One of my favourite places to visit… and most of mine are away from towns.
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The door reminds me of Dali, so inspiring to my works. Beautiful:)
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I love that door… one of the best I’ve ever seen and symbolically perfect too.
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Yes, love the colors!
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🙂
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Great article and photos Sue. You might like my blog too, as I write about and photograph this quirky little town, http://www.normalforglastonbury.uk
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Thanks, Vicki. I’ll take a look 🙂
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