I-Exist FAQ

Getting to and from Glastonbury


What accommodations are fun and affordable?


I’m worried I’m not strong enough to keep up. How strenuous is it?


Will you give background information on the places we see and visit?


Entrance tickets and other costs


Driving on the left? AGH!


Google Map, Directions


Getting There

If you are planning to fly in, the sooner you book, the cheaper. The closest airport to Glastonbury is Bristol, although there tend to be more bargain deals to London’s main airports (Luton, Gatwick, Heathrow and Southend). When you are registered, you will be invited to a Google Doc. to fill out details. At the same place, you can see who else is flying in where, with the possibility of sharing rides or car rentals.

By public transport, it’s important to order coach and/or train tickets in advance. This can make a dramatic difference in cost. Castle Carey is the nearest train station to Glastonbury. From there it is possible to travel by bus (line 667) to Glastonbury.

The cheapest and easiest way to travel from London to Glastonbury is by bus (20BP)

If you fly to London there is also a very cheap coach (bus+toilets) to the centre of Glastonbury once a day.
For all the Dutch folks, the Eurostar costs 59 Euros to London from every train station in the Netherlands. We heard it costs the same as if you travel by plane and it’s about the same time to travel from door to door.

Travel to London from main airports:  from Heathrow airport you can take the underground to the city centre, but if you fly to Luton. Stanstead and Gatwick – you can take the easybus.com coach service which is the cheapest option. For those of who travel to Southend airport – (in Essex), the only means to travel on is by train.

Keep in touch so we can make travel as easy as possible for everyone!

Top of Page

Places to Stay

The best by far is to take the residential option and stay in at Abbey House, where we have most of our group meetings. As this includes three meals a day and refreshments, it works out far cheaper than going solo. However, private rooms are limited in number, and are given on a first come, first served basis. So speed is of the essence here!

Elsewhere, camping is the cheapest option – with UK campsites these days boasting good facilities are Wifi. (It’s also a way to sink deep into nature!) There is the Isle of Avalon Campsite, and the Paddington Farm organic camp site (which can cost as little as 7BP a head). At Paddington Farm, a group could rent a whole Yurt together. There are also animals and activities for children (I-Exist kids) there.

If you’re looking for the more relaxed and traditional B&B, check prices first at AIRBNB, where there are many delightful options, (including self-catering).

Some of our guests are already booked at St Annes B&B, so it’s full already. But the delightful chef and host Mathura has another B&B across the road, which is vegetarian and worthwhile. Contact St Annes, for more information about it!

Last we heard, there are still rooms available within the guest houses of the Chalice Well Gardens. As this is our venue for the last two days, it could be lovely to stay there (beyond the astounding beauty of the gardens and magic of the wells).

In general, try to be within Glastonbury itself, as this is more fun and more practical in terms of meetup times for venues and excursions.

Top of Page

Physical Health

There are many participants who are older and have physical limitations, so we make every effort to provide enjoyable, fulfilling lighter options to the tougher walks. We will divide the group when needed for easier routes etc. As long as we are aware of the limits of each participant, we truly believe we can make this fun for everyone. So communication is the most important factor in planning!

The most strenuous of the activities are:

•Climbing Glastonbury Tor (it’s a short steep climb but is really worthwhile – the perspective is amazing – and can be taken slowly)

•The processional walk through the rocks of Avebury (it’s a longish walk but on relatively flat ground)

•The Wookey Hole hike (This is on Saturday afternoon. It has its challenging moments but we are happy to make an alternative route for part of the group. We all meet up at the pub at the end. The intention is to absorb the energy of the land there, more than to exhaust the body!