Are you a fan of the legends surrounding King Arthur? Do you want to discover the world that spawned the legends? If you know where to look you can still find pieces of King Arthur’s realm in modern-day England. Come along as we take you on a journey to find King Arthur’s England.
The Legend of King Arthur
The Legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table are known worldwide. It has been the basis for countless other tales and even movies. While little is known of the real King Arthur it is believed that the legends are based on a King of Britain who ruled sometime in the first few centuries, probably around 6 AD.
Start at Stonehenge
Less than two hours southwest of London is Stonehenge. It is the most mystical and mythical place in England. In the story of King Arthur, it was the wizard Merlin who created Stonehenge as a tribute to fallen chieftains. It is the perfect place to start your King Arthur Tour and find the roots of the ancient magic of the Isles.
Glastonbury Tor
About an hour west of Stonehenge, you will find the real Isle of Avalon, Glastonbury Tor. It is here that 12th-century monks at the Glastonbury Abbey say they discovered the remains of King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere. At that time, Glastonbury Tor would have been surrounded by what amounts to a swamp or moat, and risen like a small mountain out of the British fog.
Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey was originally constructed in the 7th century. After a devastating fire in the 1100s, it was rebuilt again in the 1200s. It was in this abbey that supposedly the King and Queen’s bodies were discovered as well as the King’s famed sword Excalibur.
Maiden Castle Ruins
Maiden Castle in Dorsett is not the castle that King Arthur lived in and ruled from. It is a great representation of castles during the Iron Age, which Arthur lived at the end of. Maiden Castle is considered a hillfort, which was common at that time as it gave defending the castle or fort an advantageous position. In Arthur’s time, this specific building was being used as a Roman temple.
Glastonbury Lake Village
Glastonbury Lake Village is an Iron Age village in England. It is likely similar to what other villages of that era would have been like. As it was close by and centered around a lake- is this where the Lady of the Lake can be found?
Chalice Well Gardens
King Arthur and his knights were forever on a quest for the Holy Grail. He likely looked for it at Chalice Well Gardens in the valley below Glastonbury Tor. It is a legend that Joseph of Arimathea placed the Holy Grail here causing the well water to run red.
Avebury Stone Circle
Head a couple of hours away to Avebury. Avebury Stone Circle is the largest of its kind anywhere in Europe. The circle was made precisely with 100 stones and is cut into quarters by two intersecting roads. In King Arthur’s legend, Excalibur was forged with stones from Avebury. It was also likely quite a gathering place in its time, and Arthur probably passed through more than once.
Hadrian’s Wall
King Arthur lived at the height of the Roman Empire. Take a look at some of the Roman influence on Britain around Arthur’s time. Hadrian’s Wall, for example, would have been built 350 years before Arthur lived and would have likely been a fixture in his time.
How to Plan a King Arthur Tour From London
Each of these places is within easy driving distance from London for a day trip. In some cases, if you are strategic, you can see two places in a single day. Using London as your home base, you can easily take a week and see all of the King Arthur sites at your leisure.
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