Finding Peace at the Chalice Well, Glastonbury: An Exploration of Folklore, Belief, Landscape, and Sacred Water at a British Holy Well

Abstract

The intersections of peace and heritage have long been discussed in academia, but these discussions are often focused on the aftermath or the experiences of violence and conflict. There has been less written about heritage sites as places of positive peace, where visitors can connect with more ethereal aspects of inner peace, wellbeing and mindfulness. Many heritage sites allow visitors an opportunity to experience a place of peacefulness that is purposefully free of structural violence or to experience feelings of inner peace through the calm, serene nature of these sites. The Chalice Well is a holy chalybeate 1 well and World Peace Garden set in the heart of Glastonbury, a town well known for its eclectic spirituality and rich layers of history and folklore. This site has been attracting seekers of peace, wellness and the sacred for over three hundred years. This paper explores the intersections of folklore, wellbeing, landscape, sacrality, and the curation of peace at this unique heritage site, from medieval legend and sacred spa waters to more contemporary examinations of peace and sacrality through landscape design and the promotion of spiritual tourism and pilgrimage.