Overview

Tranquil, lovingly maintained gardens surround the Chalice Well, a holy well. The gardens are on a slope, and I was initially a bit apprehensive about visiting as I walk with a crutch, but I'm so thankful that I did, as I was surprised how accessible they are. There are step free paths to most of the garden and an accessible toilet. Staff were extremely helpful and supportive. It is a very special and sacred space and the ideal place if you are looking for a quiet space to relax.

Transport & Parking

Glastonbury does not have a train station. I took the 376 bus from Bristol which took about 1.5 hours. The bus is accessible with a ramp at the front of the bus and a wheelchair user space. Glastonbury is not a large town but it's about a 0.7 mile walk from the bus stop to the Well, so I took a taxi. I arranged for the taxi to collect me later. There is a small car park at the Chalice Well which is any for disabled parking. There are only three parking bays, if I remember.

Access

On entering from the step free, accessible entrance (which is also the exit) you are at the bottom of the garden. Here are the toilet block and the shop. While the shop is step free and all on the ground floor, it is quite narrow and can get crowded easily. I managed to get round with my crutch easily with little effort, but it might be tricky for wheelchair users. At the bottom of the garden is the Vesica Pool, which has a small waterfall. It is surrounded by benches with back support and arms. It's very tranquil to sit and listen to the trickle of the water. It's a lovely spot and involves no climb perfect if you just want somewhere nice to sit and rest. The rest of the garden is on a hillside and involves an upward journey, but this can be done in stages, as there is plenty to see on your way through the gardens, and there are plenty of benches with back support, and most with arms, dotted throughout the gardens. I made my trip on a sunny day and the ground was dry and apart from the Meadow area I felt confident and enjoyed walking round the garden. It wasn't as steep as I thought it might have been but I did welcome the opportunity to sit down frequently. I think the paths would be quite slippery when wet and also be aware of fallen leaves, etc, so if you visit you might want to plan it round the weather. On the left hand side of the Vesica Pool was a set of steps without handrail. I would suggest the path on the right hand side is easier. The path rises gently towards a group ancient Yew Trees. The pathway is a hard gravel path with some loose chippings. There is also a lawned area. After the Yew Trees you come to a doorway to a courtyard, this is the King Arthur's Court and Healing Pool. There is a square shallow paddling pool with two sets of 2 or 3 steps with a handrail from the pavement into the pool. This is a healing pool and the only place where you can "wash" in the water. The area here is paved and there is some seating. There is a short flight of stairs in the Courtyard with a handrail on one side to continue up. Alternatively you can return to the path for the step free route. The next section is the Lion's Head. This is the only place in the garden when the spring water can be drunk from. Please be aware that the water has contains iron and should be drunk in small quantities. Although the Lion Head is quite low down I was able to bend over it and fill up my bottle with water. Many people bring containers large and small and fill up with the spring water. The path continues upwards and at some point it has become a paved path. From here there is a gentle slope which takes you past the Holy Thorn, the charming Angel Seat to the Well Head. The Well Head and Sanctuary is at the top most point of the garden. It has a wrought iron Vesica Piscis cover and when I visited it was decorated with seasonal fruits and flowers. While there is a step free option to view it from above, to get close to the Well Head involves some steps, see photo. There are 3 short staircases, none of which have a handrail. I felt unable to get to the Well Head without support. There were some people around who were meditation or in quiet reflection. I asked if someone could help me and with someone giving me their hand I was able to walk down the 3 steps slowly and safely. There is the option to sit on a small wall next to the Well Head and again I asked for assistance when I wanted to get up the steps. Close to the Well Head is the Meadow which I understand to be quite steep so I didn't go to that area. Instead I retraced my steps. Please be aware that the spring water runs from the Well Head to the bottom of the garden and thought out the garden there are grids and a narrow, open running water stream, which you can either step over or avoid.

Toilets

There is a toilet block opposite the accessible entrance/ exit and shop. There is an accessible toilet which does not require a key to open. The accessible toilet is spacious and also has baby changing facilities. The toilet had plenty of grab rails and was clean and tidy. I don't recall seeing an emergency red cord.

Staff

The staff were amazingly helpful. From their website I was a little confused about where to go for the step free entrance, so I emailed them. In less than 15 minutes I had received a very positive reply from Nicola, saying "Our office is immediately next to the area where your taxi will drop you so you could simply knock on our door and we will be very happy to let you in. Alternatively, you could call us on your way if that is easier for you." It was such a lovely message, quickly sent, welcoming and solution focused. I visited the next day and knocked on the office door when I arrived. Nicola came out to me and was extremely helpful and friendly. She took my entry payment so I didn't need to go up to the ticket booth and gave me a leaflet with a map, see photo. She spent time described the garden layout for me and my options, as well as answering my questions. She offered me motorised buggy, which I declined (as I'm never very good at steering them). I told her about Euan's Guide and the review I was going to write about my visit. She was very interested and went and got some paper and a pen and took some notes about some of the things I said about access, around the accessible information on the website and possibly including some some photos. She then took me to the exit which is also the step free, accessible entrance. I met her later again and we talked about how I found the garden. The staff in the shop were very helpful too. Please note there were no staff as I went around the gardens, however when I needed help with the steps to the Well Head there were people around who I could ask and who were very pleased to assist.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The gardens are all out of doors apart from the shop and toilet, so I felt covid safe. I loved my visit. It is a unique, spiritual and very special place. It moved me greatly and it was my favourite place from my stay in Glastonbury. I am already missing it and want to return again and again now I have discovered it. Thank you to Nicola and the other staff for helping to make this a very special visit.

Photos