Glastonbury Tor Circular Walk
Somerset
Glastonbury Tor rises 158 metres out of the flat Somerset Levels, its terraced slopes topped by the roofless 14th century tower of St Michael's Church, and it has been cared for by the National Trust since the 1930s, with sheep grazing the slopes meaning a lead is needed for a dog on the hill. This 4km circuit starts on Bere Lane near the town centre, passes the Chalice Well gardens at the foot of the hill and climbs steeply up Wellhouse Lane and the paved path to the summit, around 140 metres of ascent in 15 to 20 minutes of walking, with a bench halfway. After the views, the route drops back into town and loops through the High Street and past the Abbey grounds, Abbey Park and the Somerset Rural Life Museum. Paths are paved or gravel, with some concrete sections that get muddy after rain.
This is a dog friendly walk, but a busy one rather than a romp. Sheep graze the slopes of the Tor, so dogs should be kept on a lead on the hill, and fields around the base can also hold stock. There is no water or shade on the climb, so carry water for your dog on warm days. The summit is exposed and crowded on fine weekends, so keep dogs close around other visitors. The High Street has plenty of cafes and pubs, including cafes listed by local dog walking guides as dog friendly, and there are public toilets on Magdalene Street.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Peak
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Cafes, pubs and public toilets (Magdalene Street) in Glastonbury town; no facilities on the Tor.
- Parking
- Pay and display at St Dunstan's car park, Magdalene Street (BA6 9EH), or other town car parks; very limited parking near the Tor.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Glastonbury Tor Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Coachman's Cottage At Manor Farm
Sleeps 2 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £509 / 7 nights
Orchard Farm Wedmore - Fox Whelp
Sleeps 4 · 1 dog · Enclosed garden
from £653 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in SomersetFrequently Asked Questions
Is Glastonbury Tor Circular Walk dog friendly?
Glastonbury Tor Circular Walk is dog friendly and earns a 7 out of 10 on our rating. It's a rewarding short circuit through iconic Somerset scenery, though it's better described as a dog-friendly outing than a free-roaming adventure — the lead is essential on the hill, and the summit can get busy on fine weekends. Dogs are welcome throughout, and there are dog-friendly cafes and pubs in the High Street once you're back in town.
Can dogs be off lead at Glastonbury Tor Circular Walk?
Dogs need to be kept on a lead on the slopes of the Tor, as sheep graze the hillside, and fields around the base can also hold livestock. The summit is exposed and can be crowded, so keeping dogs close around other visitors is strongly advised there too. This is essentially a lead walk throughout, so it's worth bearing that in mind if your dog needs a good off-lead run.
What should I know before visiting Glastonbury Tor Circular Walk with my dog?
The climb to the summit is steep — around 140 metres of ascent in 15 to 20 minutes — and there's no water or shade on the way up, so bring plenty of water for your dog, especially on warmer days. The paths are paved or gravel for the most part, though some sections can get muddy after rain. Parking is easiest at St Dunstan's car park on Magdalene Street (BA6 9EH), where you'll also find public toilets, and the High Street has cafes and pubs to round off the walk.
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