Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Abbey is believed to be the oldest monastic foundation in England, located on the legendary site of Joseph of Arimathea's oratory and thought to be the burial place of King Arthur. The site was home to a significant pre-Conquest monastery linked to St Dunstan. The remaining structures are from the great abbey church, which was rebuilt after a fire in 1184. The most complete part of this church is St Mary's Chapel, which features a crypt at the west end. The tall fragments of the east crossing piers, along with the adjoining transept walls and chapels, are the most notable remnants of the late 12th century church. Other significant remains include parts of the outer walls of the late 12th century chancel aisles and the 14th century retrochoir, three bays of the south nave aisle wall, and the lower sections of the west front and the Galilee, which is connected to St Mary's Chapel. The only standing remnants of the monastic buildings are the Abbot's kitchen and an important fragment of the Abbot's great hall located to the north of the kitchen. The entire monastic area is designated as an Ancient Monument, and all the listed buildings within the Abbey grounds form a highly significant group.