Information for Visitors

Key Information

• The Main Arena and Small Arena schedules are the same for both days of the fayre. The schedule for music in the Abbot’s Kitchen differs across the two days.
• The doors to the abbey will open at 10am. Join What a Palaver, the fire breathing jester, at the small arena for 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.
• There will be bins but we ask you to please take any rubbish with you if possible.
• 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.
• There is no entry to the abbey without an event ticket.
• The entrance to this year’s Medieval Fayre is different from previous years. Please access the site via the temporary entrance on Magdalene Street, opposite St Mary’s Church.
• Please don’t climb on the ruins.
• Please don’t climb the trees.
• Children should not be left unaccompanied at any time. Children will not be allowed to enter or leave the site unaccompanied.
• Event parking is at Herbie’s Field. Follow the yellow AA signs when you reach Glastonbury or set your sat-nav to BA6 9LE. It costs £5 per car and is open from 9am to 7pm. There is no after hours service.
• Mendip Community Transport will be operating a shuttle service with one bus throughout the day. There will be no shuttle between 1pm and 2pm. We still advise you to walk if you can as there is only one minibus (16 people per trip).
• Programmes are available upon arrival and are a suggested £2 donation. By donating £2 for your programme you are directly supporting Glastonbury Abbey, a wholly independent charity.
• Visitors who require a carer to visit will be provided a free carer’s ticket. Please read the information provided on the Glastonbury Abbey website.
• Accessibility: The majority of the abbey site is flat and accessible to visitors with varying needs. The temporary entrance on Magdalene Street is steeper than the regular entrance and some visitors may require assistance. 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

Schedules

Follow the below links to read the schedule of entertainment for the Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre

• Main Arena Schedule
• Small Arena Schedule
• Music in the Abbot’s Kitchen

There are regular storyteller sessions throughout the day as well as alchemy with our very own alchemist (Bring a penny or a shiny 2p piece to transform!)

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 an online advance ticket to the Medieval Fayre. Do I get to skip the queues?

No, online advance tickets are simply a discounted entry ticket. They do not offer a “jump the queue” system for entry.

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, a storyteller, 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 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 entry and exit to the site are via a gentle slope with no stairs.

Where should I park?

The official event parking is at Herbie’s Field, Northload bridge, Glastonbury. The nearest postcode is BA6 9LE. It will cost £5 per car (cheaper than town car parks). It is a 10 minute leisurely walk to Glastonbury Abbey from the parking. 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 park will be open from 9am to 7pm on both days. There is no out of hours service.
• 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. It’s great.
• The parking attendants will be able to take cash & card payments.

I am an abbey Member, do I need a ticket?

Yes. There is no entry to the site without an event ticket for the duration of the event. If you are a PLUS Member you can claim your free weekend ticket in advance by visiting the abbey ticket office or booking via the Glastonbury Abbey website. 

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. 

Is the Museum, Abbot’s Kitchen and Lady Chapel open?

Yes. Please visit them during your visit. The Abbot’s Kitchen is a spectacular 14th Century Medieval Kitchen and will host the music programme in 2024. Our accredited museum has several important archaeological finds from across the site.

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!

What catering is available at the Medieval Fayre?

There are burgers, hog roast rolls, chips, pizza, curry, 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. The abbey Café is near the main entrance to the site and is open for fine coffee, cake and more throughout both days. There is also another coffee and cake seller near the main arena as well as popcorn and candy floss for the kids (and bigger kids).

For full details of the food & drink on site, please see our Caterers page.

It’s warm and I’d 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.

New in 2024: The Glastonbury Abbey Cider Bar! 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.

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.

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.

I have a ticket but can’t 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.
 
We hope you have a great time at the Glastonbury Abbey Medieval Fayre!