Legendary Kings of the West Country: Arthur and Alfred

• Begin the day at Glastonbury with a climb up the Tor for a 360 degree panorama of the West of England including Wearyall Hill where the Glastonbury Thorn is said to have grown from Joseph of Arimethea's staff.  Return via Chalice Well.

• Visit the ruined Glastonbury Abbey to see the grave of Arthur and Guinevere.

• Visit Cadbury Castle; an iron-age fort and site of a 5th Century battle; often identified as Camelot.

• Go out to the mysterious Somerset Levels where we discover the site of Alfred the Great’s refuge from the Danes; where he burned the cakes, lost a jewel and planned a great battle.

• Visit the village of Wedmore, where the peace treaty made with the Viking leader Guthrum allowed Alfred to rebuild the kingdom of Wessex and begin the process of creating a unified England. Refresh at one of the excellent local village pubs.

• Stop off at the Willow and Wetlands Centre to learn about the ancient craft of willow growing and basketry and enjoy a locally sourced Somerset tea.

Other options:

This tour can be altered or extended to include:

• Visit Winchester Alfred's capital of Wessex and home of King Arthur’s Round Table in the Great Hall of Winchester castle.

• Head to Tintagel to see Merlin's cave and the great promontory that is Cornwall's contender for Camelot.

• Visit Stonehenge said to have been built by Merlin.

• The White Horse near Edington in Wiltshire for the site of Alfred’s great battle in AD 878.