t’s nearly time for the Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre, and we can’t wait to step back in time with you this April! Whether you’re a first-time squire or a seasoned Fayre-goer, take a moment to read the information below and make sure you get the most out of the weekend.
Key Information
- Saturday & Weekend tickets are sold out and will not be available to buy on the door. Sunday tickets may be available to purchase on the door, however we advise visitors to book in advance to avoid disappointment as this is a very popular event. If tickets are available on the day, they can be purchased from Admissions for £25 (Sunday only).
- The doors to the abbey will open at 10am. Join What a Palaver, the fire breathing jester, for the first show of the day in the Small Arena at 10:15am!
- The schedule concludes each day at 5.30pm but the abbey remains open until 6pm. We ask that all visitors please be off site by 6pm.
- The event is held across almost the entire abbey site. Please don’t access barriered areas of the site as these are restricted for your safety.
- Entry: Entrance to this year’s Medieval Fayre will be via the main gates on Magdalene Street, through the Glastonbury Abbey Yard.
- There is no entry to the abbey without an event ticket or wristband.
- If you have a physical ticket: Please make sure you bring your ticket with you and have it ready to show at the entrance.
- If you have an eTicket: Please have your eTicket downloaded (or printed out) and ready to show at the entrance.
- Last re-entry is 5:15pm.
- While children are free, they must have a pre-booked ticket (unless you are purchasing tickets on the day).
- Children should not be left unaccompanied at any time. Children will not be allowed to enter or leave the site unaccompanied.
- Parking: Event parking is at Herbie’s Field, Butler Carnival Park & Tor Leisure Field. Follow the yellow AA signs when you reach Glastonbury or set your sat-nav to BA6 9LE (Herbie’s & Butler’s) or BA6 9NQ (Tor Leisure).
- All event car parks cost £5 per car and are open from 9am to 7pm. There is no after hours service.
- Please be aware that live-in vehicles / campervans are not permitted to park in the event car parks.
- Any vehicles left in the car parks after hours will be removed at the owner’s expense.
- A Park & Ride shuttle service will be running to/from Herbie’s Field and Butler Carnival Park, operated by Mendip Community Transport. The shuttle bus drop-off point is on Northload Street, next to the Who’d-A Thought It pub. There will be no shuttle between 1pm and 2pm. We still advise you to walk if you can as it means more seats for those with mobility issues.
- Those parking at Tor Leisure Field can walk to the event entrance. Stewards will be on hand to direct you.
- We have a very limited mobility disability car park available for pre-booked parking. If you have a mobility disability and require parking please email boxoffice@glastonburyabbey.com with a copy of your Blue Badge, your ticket order number and your car’s number plate. Parking will be £5, booked in advance. We regret that once it is fully booked no further spaces will be available.
- Accessibility: The majority of the abbey site is flat and accessible to visitors with varying needs. There are paths throughout and the grassed areas are maintained and firm, suitable for assisted walking and mobility-scooters. There are some undulations and visitors should always remain aware of changes to ground level and the ruins themselves. For specific accessibility requirements or for clarification please speak to a staff member on site or email boxoffice@glastonburyabbey.com
- Visitors who require a carer to visit are eligible for a free carer’s ticket. Please read the information provided on the Carer & PA Tickets page.
- Due to very high demand, requests for carer’s passes received after 22nd April may not be processed before the event. If you have not yet applied for a carer’s ticket, please bring your access card or other documentation with you on the day to ensure entry.
- If you requested a carer’s ticket prior to midday on Saturday 11th April, your ticket will be posted to you. For requests made after this point, you will receive information of where to collect your ticket on the day.
- If you are purchasing event tickets on the day and require a carer to attend, please bring your access card or other documentation with you.
- New for 2026! Exclusive Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre souvenirs (including t-shirts, pin badges, tote bags and more) will be available to purchase from the on-site Merch Tent located near the entrance.
- Souvenir programmes are available upon arrival for £3. All proceeds from the programme go to Glastonbury Abbey, a wholly independent charity, to help maintain and conserve the abbey ruins.
- There will be bins available, but we ask you to please take any rubbish with you if possible.
- Please don’t climb on the ruins.
- Please don’t climb the trees.
Schedules
Scheduled entertainment takes place across the weekend in the Main Arena, Small Arena and the Abbot’s Kitchen.
The Main Arena and Small Arena schedules are the same across both days of the event; music in the Abbot’s Kitchen is slightly different each day.
Want to know more about each show? Pick up a souvenir Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre programme for £3!
Main Arena
12:00: The Grand Medieval Joust
13:10: The Tournament of Knights
14:30: Best Dressed Competition
15:30: The Grand Medieval Joust
16:30: Castle Siege!
Small Arena
10:15: What A Palaver
11:00: Dressing The Knight
13:40: What A Palaver
14:30: Draca Beordor
17:20: What A Palaver
Music in the Abbot’s Kitchen
Saturday
10:30: Jenny Bliss & Marianne Forelius
11:30: A Merry Noyse
13:00: de Mowbray’s Musicke
14:00: A Merry Noyse
15:00: Katharine Blake & Michael J York
16:00: de Mowbray’s Musicke
Sunday
10:30: Avalon recorder Consort
11:30: de Mowbray’s Musicke
13:00: A Merry Noyse
14:00: de Mowbray’s Musicke
15:00: Avalon Recorder Consort
16:00: A Merry Noyse
On top of these scheduled shows you can also enjoy regular Storyteller sessions throughout the weekend, as well as alchemy demonstrations from our Tudor Alchemist and various displays in the Living History camps. Plus, watch out for the Medieval Grave Diggers roaming the site!
FAQs
What time does the Medieval Fayre start and finish?
The site opens to ticket holders from 10am on both days of the event. The schedule starts at 10.15am and concludes at 5.30pm. The site should be vacated by 6pm.
I bought a Medieval Fayre ticket in advance. Do I get to skip the queues?
No, you will still need to queue if you have already purchased your ticket online or in person.
Do under 16s need a ticket to attend the fayre?
Yes, while children aged 15 and under go free to this year’s Medieval Fayre they will still need a Child Ticket to enter. Please make sure you have booked a free Child Ticket for all under 16s attending with you.
Is the schedule different each day?
The Main & Small Arena programming is the same for both days. The music in the Abbot’s Kitchen varies across the two days. If you have a weekend ticket you can take a more leisurely approach to the entertainment and also enjoy the town across the weekend.
Is the schedule all of the entertainment?
Not by a long shot. Many of the market traders are a show unto themselves. There are have-a-go activities, the strolling fire breathing jester, roaming storytellers, wandering Grave Diggers, a Tudor alchemist and arena displays throughout the day. Also, the living history encampments will have displays, workshops, combat and more. With over 200 re-enactors on site, there is always something to see or do!
Can I come and go?
Yes! Once you have your wristband you can come and go as much as you like. Last entry is at 5.15pm though. Your wristband entitles you to entry to the site for either Saturday or Sunday, or both days if you have a weekend ticket. Please note if you show up on Sunday with a Saturday wristband (and vice versa) you will be refused entry.
How big is the site and is it accessible?
The abbey site is 36 acres. The fayre will use most of the site so if you move around during the day you will cover some miles! There are paths throughout and – should the weather stay on our side – the grassed areas are firm. The entrance and exit are via a gentle slope with no stairs.
Where should I park?
The official event parking is at Herbie’s Field, Northload Bridge, Glastonbury with additional overflow parking at Butler Park and Tor Leisure Field. The nearest postcode for Herbie’s Field is BA6 9LE, Butler Park and Tor Leisure is BA6 9NQ. It will cost £5 per car (cheaper than town car parks).
There will be a park & ride service operating from Herbie’s Field and Butler Park. If walking, Tor Leisure is the nearest event car park. Herbie’s Field is a 10 minute leisurely walk to Glastonbury Abbey; Butler Park is slightly further.
If walking from Tor Leisure: Follow directions from stewards down Benedict Street towards Magdalene Street. The entrance is across the road.
If walking from Herbie’s Field: Please cross the A39 at the traffic lights and walk up Northload Street until you get to the pedestrian area and marketplace. The abbey is right across the road.
- Please do not park in residential streets. Do not block access to driveways or park irresponsibly.
- We ask that all visitors leave the town car parks for disabled parking and for short term parking for residents.
- The event car parks will be open from 9am to 7pm on both days. Park & ride services will operate within these hours. There is no out of hours service.
- If you have a large vehicle, Butler Park is the best car park to aim for as it has hard standing.
- The height restriction is 2.1m and no live-in vehicles are permitted to park.
- Parking will cost £5 and is for all day regardless of arrival time. We recommend arriving early and enjoying the town, as there is plenty to see!
- The parking attendants will be able to take cash & card payments.
- If you have a mobility disability and require parking please email boxoffice@glastonburyabbey.com with a copy of your Blue Badge, your ticket order number and your car’s number plate. Parking will be £5, booked in advance. We regret that once it is fully booked no further spaces will be available.
I am a Glastonbury Abbey Member, do I need a ticket?
Yes. There is no entry to the site without an event ticket or wristband for the duration of the event.
If you are a PLUS Member you can claim your free weekend ticket in advance by visiting Admissions or booking via the Glastonbury Abbey website. Please do this before arriving as it will save you time on the day (and guarantee you can visit the fayre in the event that tickets sell out).
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are welcome at the event but be aware there are horses and loud noises throughout both days of the event. Dogs must remain on a lead at all times.
Are the Museum, Abbot’s Kitchen and Lady Chapel open?
The Abbot’s Kitchen, a spectacular 14th Century medieval kitchen, will be open and hosting live music throughout the weekend.
The Museum and Lady Chapel undercroft will be closed to visitors.
Can I bring a chair?
Yes, do bring a camp chair to relax on during your visit.
Can I bring a gazebo or wind break?
No. Gazebos or wind breaks are not allowed at Glastonbury Abbey.
What happens if it rains?
We all get wet – but we still enjoy the Medieval Fayre!
Can I buy a souvenir?
Yes! In addition to the more than 40 market stalls trading at the fayre, the Abbey Yard Gift Shop will also be open selling abbey souvenirs and gifts. You’ll also find a Merch stand near the entrance selling Medieval Fayre-exclusive merchandise, including t-shirts, tote bags, keyrings and more. Souvenir programmes will be available here and at the entrance for £3.
What catering is available at the Medieval Fayre?
There are burgers, giant hot dogs, hog roast rolls, chips, pizza, wraps, bao buns, crepes, cakes, slices, coffee and much more. There is food for vegans, vegetarians, gluten free, carnivores and omnivores. The main food area is up near the bar near the main arena. There is also another coffee and cake seller near the main arena as well as an amazing brownies and cakes stall, and there are also medieval food traders throughout the site.
The abbey has two Cafes which will be open throughout the fayre. The Yard Café, located in the Glastonbury Abbey Yard at the main entrance, will be serving hot food, snacks, cakes and drinks. The Garden Café, located in the grounds near the Lady Chapel, will be serving snacks and drinks.
I would like a beer. Is there any?
The Stagger Inn will be serving the finest Ale, lager, wines and spirits across the weekend. Enjoy responsibly. Your first purchase at the bar will include a reusable cup for £1. You can bring your cup back and swap it for a fresh one for no additional charge and keep it at the end of the event as a souvenir. If you don’t want to keep the cup please return it and we will wash and reuse the cup at future events. The initial £1 levy is not refunded.
The Glastonbury Abbey Cider Bar will also be on site! Selling – you guessed it – Glastonbury Abbey Cider, produced using only the apples grown in our own orchard. Like the Stagger Inn you will need to purchase a reusable cup for £1 and you can swap it for a fresh cup throughout the event.
Plus, new for 2026 – try our Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre exclusive Abbot’s Mead! You can pick up a bottle from the Merch tent near the entrance.
Can I bring my own food and drink?
Yes, you can. We appreciate not everyone’s tastes can be catered for so you can bring your own. We hope that the catering on site appeals to many though, as it is an important source of income to help cover the cost of staging the event and contributing to the abbey charity.
Please be aware that knives and corkscrews may be confiscated by security.
Can I dress up?
You absolutely can – you can even take part in our Best Dressed Competition! However, do not bring any bladed weapons or bows / arrows. Essentially, the re-enactors have insurance, training, risk assessments and loads of experience. Members of the public probably don’t and in the interests of the safety of all only official participants may have weapons or replica weapons. Any weapon brought to the event will be confiscated.
How do I enter the Best Dressed Competition?
The Best Dressed Competition takes place at 2:30pm in the Main Arena on both days. At this time, fire-breathing jester What A Palaver will invite anyone who wants to to take part – all you need to do is step forward!
There are two categories – one for children, and one for adults (though dogs have also been known to take part!)
I have a ticket but cannot come. Are there refunds?
No. Event tickets are sold as a non transferrable, no refund product. There are no refunds prior to or after the event. If you bought the refund promise ticket protection please follow the steps in the terms and conditions.