Glastonbury Abbey
Glastonbury Abbey
Full-time
Consultant Archaeologist
Recruitment Brief

Brief for Consultant Archaeologist

1.  Background and Context

1.1 About Glastonbury Abbey

Glastonbury Abbey is a Registered Charity (No 1129263) and Company Limited by Guarantee (company no.
06873912). Glastonbury Abbey maintains and cares for the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and the surrounding
36 acres (15 Hectares) and Abbey House, a Grade II* Listed Building, and its surrounding 4 acres of grounds.
Glastonbury Abbey is a nationally important Scheduled Monument (NM33050) with very significant listed buildings
situated within its grounds. It is situated in the centre of Glastonbury, and is fundamental to the history, cultural,
economic and community life of the town.

The objects of the charity have been reviewed and are currently with the Charity Commission for approval. They are:

•	 To maintain and preserve the built and natural environment of Glastonbury Abbey

•	 To use and develop Glastonbury Abbey to advance Christian religion in accordance with its traditions and

spiritual significance

•	 To educate and inspire an understanding and appreciation of the historic and religious importance of Glastonbury

Abbey

The charity fulfils these objects by active maintenance and, where necessary, conservative consolidation of the
ruins, continual upkeep of the estate and opening them both to the public 364 days a year; it also provides learning
and engagement opportunities through its education and creative programmes, an Accredited Museum, award
winning events and onsite interpretation.

The charity is almost entirely dependent upon income from visitor admissions and associated commercial activity.
Major projects are dependent upon external grants and donations.

1.2 The ruins and buildings

The site, with over 1500 years of occupation attested by archaeology, was occupied by an important pre-
Conquest monastery associated with St Dunstan’s tenth-century monastic reforms and is the burial place of three
kings, Edmund, Edgar and Edmund Ironside. It was the richest English monastery by 1066 and second only to
Westminster by the sixteenth century.

The abbey is of exceptional cultural and heritage significance due to its very early origins, distinctive place in English
medieval archaeology and religion and international fame for its legendary associations with King Arthur and Joseph
of Arimathea. Glastonbury Abbey is traditionally renowned as England’s most venerable monastic foundation,
established on the legendary site of Joseph of Arimathea’s oratory. The legend of King Arthur’s burial here, promoted
since the twelfth century, is integral to Glastonbury’s heritage, with lasting impact on British history and cultural
ideals.

The monument includes the standing, ruined and buried remains which together form the greater part of Glastonbury
Abbey and its former medieval precinct. The abbey is sited in the centre of the town of Glastonbury and, from its
foundation in pre-Conquest times until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, it was protected by a precinct
wall which separated the religious community from those outside. The Pre-Conquest abbey is represented only by
remains incorporated into the fabric of the later abbey and by the below ground remains of its precinct and cloisters,
whilst the post-Conquest abbey, begun in the early years of the 12th century, has extensive remains, both standing
and below ground. The standing remains survive in the form of a number of ruined or adapted structures many of
which are Listed Buildings Grade 1, 2* or 2. The medieval monastic precinct wall survives in a restored state over
part of its original circuit and a section of the west gateway still stands.

Apart from the probable guest house in the NW corner of the precinct all the other standing structures post-date the
fire of 1184. The core abbey buildings all lie in reasonably close proximity in an area known as the inner precinct:

2

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025beyond this and occupying the remaining area within the walls was the outer precinct. The roofless late 12th century
Lady Chapel (Listed Grade 1) was originally built as a freestanding structure over the site of the timber church that
had been lost to the fire. It was later linked by a galilee porch to the great church to the east, which was completed in
the early 13th century with 14th and 15th century additions.

There is a spectacular upstanding 14th century roofed abbot’s kitchen (Listed Grade 1) which was associated with a
luxurious abbot’s complex known from excavation, some standing fragments, finds and documentation.

Other survivals above ground are a medieval gatehouse (Listed Grade 2*), re-fronted in C17 and archway reopened
c1909; St Patrick’s Chapel (Listed Grade 2) and gateway of an early 16th alms house complex and some exposed
and some represented remains of excavated claustral and other conventual buildings. The open ground within the
precinct associated with the ruins has been subjected to documented phases of severe levelling and landscaping.
However it has relatively little evidence of post-Dissolution over-building and is largely open ground today. It has
not been excavated far beyond the abbey church and core conventual buildings and may contain extensive below-
ground remains of monastic buildings.

Abbey House and its grounds, built in the 1820’s by Buckler, are situated in the North East corner of the abbey
precinct. It now serves as the abbey’s main administrative offices and venue for private events and hire.

Glastonbury Abbey also owns modern properties, 2 and 4 Silver Street for residential lettings and Silver Street Car
Park which is operated by the abbey as an income stream. These and a number of properties outside the walled
abbey precinct are within the scheduled site (See Appendix 1 – Scheduling and Listing).

1.3 Archaeology

The site is protected by both scheduling and listing, with scheduling taking precedence where there is overlap for
the purposes of consent. The site lies within the Glastonbury Conservation area which has an article 4 direction.
Protected species such as bats and badgers inhabit the site.

A Conservation Management Plan and Gazetteer was commissioned in 2004 by the trustees and extensively
revised in 2018 (Keystone Historic Building Consultants).

The trustees have commissioned archaeologists since 1908 when archaeological excavation began and was
subsequently undertaken for 36 seasons until 1979, in association with the Somerset Archaeological and Natural
History Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London.

Gilchrist and Green’s (2015)1 publication reviews the excavation records  up to 1979 and identifies the five major
excavation campaigns. This work was undertaken through the Glastonbury Abbey Archaeological Archive Project,
a collaboration between the University of Reading and the Trustees of Glastonbury Abbey and funded principally
by The Arts and Humanities Research Council. The project reassessed and reinterpreted all known archaeological
records from the 1904 –1979 excavations and made the complete dataset available to the public through a digital
archive hosted by the Archaeology Data Service2.

There have been a number of archaeological advisers to the trustees since 1908 including Frederick Bligh Bond,
Warwick Rodwell and more recently John Allan.

In recent years the need for selective excavation has arisen, notably in the Abbot’s Kitchen, St Patrick’s Chapel
and the Lady Chapel, but the main emphasis has turned to the archaeological recording of the standing buildings,
usually in the course of ongoing repairs. This work has led to a series of reports, some online, chiefly by Jerry
Sampson but also including work by Stewart Brown. The most important are those on fragments of the Great Church
and Lady Chapel.

2 Consultancy Brief

2.1 Summary

On the retirement of our current adviser Glastonbury Abbey is seeking to appoint a Consultant Archaeologist to
advise trustees on archaeological strategy, policy, excavation or watching briefs on site as appropriate, recording,
and publication and archiving of archaeological records. They will work with the Historic Buildings Consultant on

 Glastonbury Abbey archaeological investigations 1904-79. Roberta Gilchrist and Cheryl Green. The Society of Anti-

1
quaries of London 2015.
2

 http://dx.doi.org/10.5284/1022585.

3

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025recording and survey of the standing ruins as required and the Director and Head of Estates.

The Consultant will report to the Director and provide regular reports to trustees as required.

It is expected that there will be an initial handover period where the appointed consultant will work alongside the
current Archaeological Adviser.

2.2 The Brief

The role will involve the following:

•	 Provide advice and appraisals on the archaeological implications of any works recommended by the Historic

Buildings Consultant, planned projects or maintenance issues within the grounds and ruins and identify further
work that might be required

•	 Make recommendations for archaeological recording, excavation and post excavation that might be necessary
to retrieve information that would be destroyed, revealed or concealed by proposed work on site; organise or
undertake desk-top assessments and field evaluations arising from such recommendations as appropriate
•	 Advise the Director and trustees on the necessary procedures, permissions, timetable and costs required to
secure an adequate programme of archaeological investigation and recording and subsequent analysis and
publication arising from proposed works on site

•	 Prepare archaeological briefs and seek tenders from potential archaeological contractors, adhering to

procurement rules of the abbey and/or potential funders

•	 Vet any specifications, project designs or method statements submitted by contractors and advise on best

possible quality and value of archaeological work

•	 Prepare or commission Written Schemes of Investigation and applications for Scheduled Monuments Consent,

and other permissions as required, in consultation with the Historic Buildings Consultant

•	 Provide the trustees with an annual report summarising archaeological work throughout the year and indicating

priorities for further interventions, a time-frame and associated costs

•	 Attend meetings with the Director and trustees as required
•	 Attend meetings with representatives of Historic England, Local Authority Conservation or Archaeological

Officers and others as necessary

•	 Work with the Historic Buildings Consultant to continue the digital survey of the standing buildings to provide a

baseline for recording interventions and to enable future assessment of the effectiveness of projects

•	 Ensure archives from archaeological excavations and other  archaeological recording projects are deposited in

the abbey’s archives in a timely manner (within 12 months)

•	 Ensure final reports of archaeological excavation/recording are deposited with the Archaeology Data Service, the

National Monuments Record (NMR) and Historic Environment Record (HER)

•	 Trustees presume that the results of any significant archaeological projects would always be made available to

the wider public either digitally through open access or in printed format

•	 The Consultant will advise the Director and trustees on the appropriate manner, place and timing of publication
of the results of any archaeological work which has been carried out on site and oversee the publication of the
results of archaeological work in the agreed manner

•	 Contribute to any future review of the existing Conservation Management Plan or Landscape Management Plan

•

etc
In the event of development of any new or existing building (including change of use), contribute to the design
phase including working with the architects and other professionals

•	 Contribute to the abbey’s disaster planning process, policies and procedures.
•	 Make or arrange for appropriate records to be made before any clearance in the event of fire or other emergency

where destruction occurs to the abbey’s fabric.

•	 Contribute to discussions on site interpretation particularly relating to site layout and presentation of the

monument as required

•	 Support the Director in providing evidence/material/information for grant applications for projects including

archaeological elements or having archaeological implications

•	 Support the Collections Manager, Learning and Engagement team members in providing information and

support on use of the archaeological archives, collections for interpretation and learning activities within agreed
objectives and budgets.

4

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 20252.3 Indicative Timescale

•	 Brief issued by w/c  22/09/2025
•	 Site tours and meeting with current Consultant Archaeologist and Head of Estates on  06/10/225
•	 Proposals submitted by 5pm 24/10/ 2025
•
Interviews and appointment 05/11/2025

2.4 Relevant Experience

The Consultant Archaeologist should normally be a graduate, or hold a post-graduate qualification in archaeology
and should preferably be a member of the Institute for Archaeologists.

They should have proven experience in the study and interpretation of archaeological sites, historic buildings and
monuments, especially relating to monastic and church archaeology.

The Consultant Archaeologist should be able to organise and carry out small scale programmes of archaeological
recording, monitoring and excavation and be able to co-ordinate such work by other qualified parties.

Ability to advise on the relevant legislation and permissions required, the likely scope of any project and the outline
costs, timescale for archaeological works on site.

Ability to prepare applications for Scheduled Monuments Consent and Written Schemes of Investigation for Historic
England and other relevant bodies.

Experience of archaeological publications, deposit of archaeological excavation archives and data.

The Consultant Archaeologist will have a duty to keep up to date with ecclesiastical/monastic archaeology generally
and be aware of legislation that impinges on their work, such as Health and Safety regulations, regulations
concerning human remains, listing and scheduling controls, ecclesiastical legislations etc.

Basis of Appointment

The appointed Consultant will be paid a small annual retention fee and an agreed hourly rate and agreed expenses
on submission of quarterly invoices.

The appointment will be formalised by the exchange of an agreed contract.

The Consultant Archaeologist will need to provide evidence of appropriate Professional Indemnity insurance.

3.0 Application

Please submit a written letter of application and CV outlining qualifications and experience and case studies of three
examples of work (individual projects or specific elements of a large project) which collectively demonstrate skills
outlined above and which are relevant to this role.

Please also provide details of proposed charges/fees.

Please address your application to:

Janet Bell, Director janet.bell@glastonburyabbey.com

If you would like to arrange a site visit prior to submitting your proposal please contact Janet by email by
02/10/2025

 4.0 Assessment

Candidates will be shortlisted for interview on the basis of their letter of application and CV.

Please provide the details of two referees. These will only be contacted if a candidate is selected for interview.

We will only contact those candidates who have been selected for interview.

5

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025Appendix 1 – Scheduling/listing description

[The listing does not include more recent significant publications relating to the site such as:

Glastonbury Abbey archaeological investigations 1904-79. Roberta Gilchrist and Cheryl Green. The Society of
Antiquaries of London 2015.

Glastonbury Abbey Conservation Plan 2004, Keystone Historic Buildings Consultants

Glastonbury Abbey Conservation Management Plan 2018 Revision, Keystone Historic Building Consultants.]

Heritage Category:

Scheduled Monument

List Entry Number:

1021077

Date first listed:

09-Oct-1981

Date of most recent amendment:

11-Aug-2003

Location

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:

Somerset (Unitary Authority)

Parish:

Glastonbury

National Grid Reference:

ST 50138 38721

Reasons for Designation

From the time of St Augustine’s mission to re-establish Christianity in AD 597 to the reign of Henry VIII, monasticism
formed an important facet of both religious and secular life in the British Isles. Settlements of religious communities,
including monasteries, were built to house communities of monks, canons (priests), and sometimes lay-brothers,
living a common life of religious observance under some form of systematic discipline. It is estimated from
documentary evidence that over 700 monasteries were founded in England. These ranged in size from major
communities with several hundred members to tiny establishments with a handful of brethren. They belonged to
a wide variety of different religious orders, each with its own philosophy. As a result, they vary considerably in the
detail of their appearance and layout, although all possess the basic elements of church, domestic accommodation
for the community, and work buildings. Monasteries were inextricably woven into the fabric of medieval society,
acting not only as centres of worship, learning and charity, but also, because of the vast landholdings of some
orders, as centres of immense wealth and political influence. They were established in all parts of England, some
in towns and others in the remotest of areas. Many monasteries acted as the foci of wide networks including parish
churches, almshouses, hospitals, farming estates and tenant villages. Benedictine monasticism had its roots in the
rule written about AD 530 by St Benedict of Nursia for his own abbey at Monte Cassino. Benedict had not intended
to establish an order of monasteries and wider adoption of his rule came only gradually. The first real attempt to
form a Benedictine order came only in 1216. The Benedictine monks, who wore dark robes, came to be known as

6

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025
`black monks’. These dark robes distinguished them from Cistercian monks who became known as `white monks’
on account of their light coloured robes. Over 150 Benedictine monasteries were founded in England. As members
of a highly successful order many Benedictine houses became extremely wealthy and influential. Their wealth
can frequently be seen in the scale and flamboyance of their buildings. Benedictine monasteries made a major
contribution to many facets of medieval life and all examples exhibiting significant surviving archaeological remains
are worthy of protection.

Glastonbury Abbey is central to the history and character of the medieval town which developed around it. As a
Saxon foundation it followed a long tradition of Christianity within the immediate vicinity; an earlier Christian site,
perhaps one of the earliest monastic sites in Britain, is attested on Glastonbury Tor to the east of the Abbey. The
founding of a pre-Conquest Benedictine abbey on the flat ground below the Tor indicates the importance of the
site at an early stage. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, Glastonbury Abbey was the wealthiest monastic
house recorded in the land. The abbey benefited in the medieval period from its fame as the legendary burial place
of King Arthur; the monks reportedly found the body of Arthur in 1191. Pilgrims were attracted by this and by the
claim that the abbey held the relics of St Dunstan. Whatever the truth of this, Glastonbury Abbey became one of the
most important Christian centres of medieval times with continued use by the Benedictines up until 1539. Although
the abbey suffered heavily from the Dissolution, its plan and extent are well known and parts of its major buildings
survive and still attract multitudes of visitors from Britain and abroad. The survival of archaeological deposits has
been shown by partial excavation to lie just below the surface and below ground building remains are considered
to be widespread. These archaeological deposits, including those formed as part of the process of Dissolution, will
provide evidence of the development of the abbey from its earliest times and will provide further evidence about the
religious community of the abbey and its relationship with the town beyond its walls.

Details

The monument includes part of the standing, ruined, and buried remains which together form the greater part of
Glastonbury Abbey and its former medieval precinct. The abbey is sited in the centre of the town of Glastonbury
and, from its foundation in pre-Conquest times until the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539, it was protected
by a precinct wall which separated the religious community from those outside. From late Saxon times onwards, it
was one of the richest, and at times the richest, of all the Benedictine houses in England. The pre-Conquest abbey
is represented only by remains incorporated into the fabric of the later abbey and by the below ground remains
of its precinct and cloisters, whilst the post-Conquest abbey, begun in the early years of the 12th century, has
extensive remains, both standing and below ground. The standing remains survive in the form of a number of ruined
or adapted structures many of which are Listed Buildings Grade I, II*, or II. The medieval monastic precinct wall
survives in a restored state over part of its original circuit and a section of the west gateway still stands.

An early focus for the religious site of the abbey may have been provided by a stone-lined well, which was revealed
in excavations conducted between 1991-2, within the crypt of the medieval Lady Chapel. The well was considered,
following a study of the construction techniques used, to be pre-Norman in date with lower dressed courses possibly
of Roman origin. The earliest church on the site for which remains are known is that of the Anglo-Saxon King Ina
of around AD720; this was a stone church almost certainly replacing a wooden church of the seventh century for
which there is some documentary evidence. Foundations of the stone church, and a separate hypogeum or burial
vault, were incorporated within a church of about AD760, this church in turn providing the basis for the larger
church built by Abbot Dunstan during his abbacy of 940-957 (Dunstan, later St Dunstan, went on to become Abbot
of Canterbury in 960). It has been suggested that the pre-Conquest precinct area occupied a slightly smaller area
than the medieval precinct and enclosed more of the area lying to the west than was later to be the case. Part of
the boundary of the Anglo-Saxon abbey has been shown by excavation east of the pre-Conquest churches to have
consisted of a bank and ditch. This boundary was later levelled and the ditch filled but the reduced bank and ditch
survive as buried features. Within the early precinct, excavation has revealed the foundations of rooms belonging to
a three-sided claustral range, the fourth side being provided by a walled cemetery.

Following the Conquest of 1066, and with the accession of Norman abbots, the area of the abbey precinct was
redefined. The area to the west was apparently given up but an enlarged area to the east and south was taken in,
necessitating the levelling of the former boundary on these sides. Rebuilding of the abbey church was begun by
Abbot Turstin in about 1100. Turstin’s church was however abandoned and demolished by Abbot Herlewin in about
1140 and a new Romanesque church, started to the east of Dunstan’s church, extended westward and destroyed
much of the pre-Conquest complex. Herlewin’s church lasted for only just over 40 years before it was completely

7

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025destroyed in a great fire of 1184 which levelled most of the buildings of the abbey. The new building campaign of the
late 12th century provided the bulk of buildings and remains which now form the visible part of the monument. The
earliest of the post-fire buildings was the Lady Chapel begun directly after the fire and consecrated in 1186 although
the standing walls are much later and are largely the work of Abbot Bere of 1500. The remains of the post-Conquest
abbey church, which was added to and improved up until the time of the Dissolution, has the choir, and north and
south transept walls, standing to roof level in places, and elements of the high altar surviving at foundation level. The
church was linked on its west side to the Lady Chapel in the 13th century and was extended eastward to become,
with the construction of the Edgar Chapel in the late 15th century, the longest ecclesiastical building in England
at around 175m in length. The rebuilding of the monastic buildings enclosing the cloister was undertaken in the
decades following the fire and the evidence of these buildings is seen in the form of low earthworks and foundations
which have been studied over the course of many years. These studies have demonstrated the whereabouts of
the cloisters, the refectory, the monks’ kitchen, the dorter (dormitory), and the reredorter or latrine block, all lying
to the south of the church. A separate suite of buildings was constructed for the use of the abbot and his guests
and the foundations and part of the gable wall of the Abbot’s Guest Hall survive. The Abbot’s Kitchen, which
stood as an isolated structure probably as a measure against the risk of fire, did not suffer the depredations of the
Dissolution due to its continuing use and it stands intact. It is of 14th century construction, square, with an octagonal
superstructure and vaulted roof; it has large, curved buttresses to each side and the interior houses four immense
arched fireplaces. It is a Listed Building Grade I.

The core abbey buildings all lie in reasonably close proximity in an area which is known as the inner precinct;
beyond this, and occupying the remaining area within the walls, was the outer precinct. Where they have been
studied and excavated, monastic outer precincts have been found to contain a multitude of buildings and works
intended to support the life of the monastery and this may include both industrial and agricultural complexes.
Glastonbury Abbey is no different in this respect and documentary references of the early 14th century mention an
orchard, vineyard, herb garden, vegetable plots, and pasture, all within the precinct boundaries of the abbey, whilst
excavation has demonstrated the presence of glassmaking furnaces of the pre-Conquest period. An earthwork and
parch mark survey undertaken in 1989 has indicated extensive use of the outer precinct area for buildings, terraces,
and enclosures almost certainly associated with agricultural and other enterprises; the tithe barn of Glastonbury
Abbey lies just outside the walled precinct at its south eastern corner and this barn would have been used to store
abbey produce as well as goods from the abbey’s estates and granges. This is the subject of a separate scheduling
(SM 29669). Evidence also exists for the harbouring of fish in purpose-built fishponds and for a complex water
conduit system which served the abbey, as well as a probable mill site, the area of which was later overlain by the
19th century Chaingate Flour Mill. The medieval precinct boundary is known to have undergone several changes
throughout the centuries but the standing wall, (which is Listed Grade II*) which defines part of the northern and the
eastern circuit, is considered to reflect the 13th century monastic extent of the abbey. This wall has been shown to
be a 15th century repair retaining 13th century masonry, although the Abbey Gatehouse, a Listed Building Grade
II*, retains 14th century masonry. The southern precinct wall was completely demolished in the 19th century and
subsequently rebuilt on a slightly different line.

At the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 Abbot Whiting, the incumbent of the time, was taken to Glastonbury
Tor and executed on its summit. Much of the abbey was then torn down and the stone used to construct buildings
in the town and for the stone-built causeway to Wells. The waste products of this destruction formed a Dissolution
deposit of broken stone, glass, mortar and other debris which has been shown by excavation to be in excess of 1m
deep where it lies close to the core abbey buildings.

Contemporary documents detailing the affairs of the abbey do survive although some were lost in the fire of 1184.
Perhaps the most significant early document is a charter of Robert of Winchester, who was abbot from 1171-
78, which bears a seal giving a representation of the abbey which, whilst schematic, can offer some hint of its
appearance in the late 12th century.

Specifically included within the scheduling both above and below ground is the eastern precinct wall of the abbey
where this runs parallel to Chilkwell Street, and the north eastern section of the same precinct wall where this runs
from the Silver Street car park through to the north eastern corner of the abbey grounds; the scheduling of the
eastern precinct wall specifically includes the Gothic Revival gateway to Abbey House, which, although of post-
Dissolution date, is sufficiently integrated within the fabric of the earlier wall.

A number of items are excluded from the scheduling. These are: all modern surfaces, all modern garden furniture,

8

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025street furniture, lamp posts, the pond 150m south east of the Abbot’s kitchen, tractor sheds, machinery sheds,
public shelters, all walling wholly and demonstrably of the post-Dissolution period such as modern boundary walls
and garden walls unless such post-Dissolution date walls have been specifically included, all fixed sports ground
equipment and all fixed children’s playground fixtures associated with Abbey Park, the public convenience in Abbey
Park, and all fencing, the Abbey Shop, museum, and offices, St Dunstan’s House and its associated out-buildings,
all shops, kiosks, and modern above-ground structures within St Dunstan’s car park and the public conveniences
adjacent to it, the building standing within the rear garden of No 3 Magdalene Street, the buildings east of No 3
Magdalene Street forming Orchard Court, and all modern buildings and post-Dissolution buildings not specifically
named, although the ground beneath all of these buildings and features is included. Also excluded from the
scheduling is the Listed Grade II* north western precinct wall where this extends from the West Gate to No 2 Silver
Street and the section of wall (Listed Grade II) which provides the boundary between the Abbey and Magdalene
Road west of the Abbot’s Kitchen, although the ground beneath these walls is included.

Excluded from the scheduling is St Patrick’s Chapel, a Listed Building Grade II, which is used as a regular place of
worship, although the ground beneath this building is included.

Totally excluded from the scheduling both above and below ground is Abbey House (also known as The Abbey
Retreat House) which is a Listed Building Grade II, the modern pond constructed in the south east corner of the
former precinct (as yet unmapped), and the footprint area of two underground, former petrol tanks in St Dunstan’s
car park.

MAP EXTRACT The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:

33050

Legacy System:

RSM

Sources

Books and journals

Rahtz, P, Glastonbury, (1993), 66-100
Leach, P, Ellis, P, ‘In search of cult:arch.investigations in honour of Philip Rahtz’ in The Medieval Precinct of
Glastonbury Abbey -some new evidence, (1993), 119
Peers, C R, Clapham, A W, Horne, E, ‘Antiquaries Journal’ in Interim report on the excavations of Glastonbury, , Vol.
10/1, (1930), 24
Radford, C A R, ‘Medieval Art and Architecture at Wells and Glastonbury’ in Glastonbury Abbey Before 1184, (1981),
110-34
Other
Broomhead, R A, Archaeological Evaluation of new library at Glastonbury Somerset, 1995, Unpublished survey
Hollinrake, C and Hollinrake, N, Glastonbury Abbey parchmark survey 1989, 1989, Unpublished survey
Rodwell, W, Glastonbury Abbey Somerset: a study of the North Precinct Wall, 1992, Unpublished survey

Legal

This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as
it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

9

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 202510

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025
ABBOT’S KITCHEN, GLASTONBURY ABBEY

•	 List Entry Number: 1172820

•	 Heritage Category: Listing

•	 Grade: I

•	 Location: ABBOT’S KITCHEN, GLASTONBURY ABBEY, MAGDALENE STREET, Glastonbury,

GLASTONBURY ABBEY, Somerset

GLASTONBURY ABBEY

•	 List Entry Number: 1345447

•	 Heritage Category: Listing

•	 Grade: I

•	 Location: GLASTONBURY ABBEY, MAGDALENE STREET, Glastonbury, Somerset

GLASTONBURY ABBEY PRECINCT WALL FROM NO.2 SILVER STREET TO ABBEY GATEHOUSE

•	 List Entry Number: 1392856

•	 Heritage Category: Listing

•	 Grade: II*

•	 Location: GLASTONBURY ABBEY PRECINCT WALL FROM NO.2 SILVER STREET TO ABBEY

GATEHOUSE, Glastonbury, Somerset

WALL AROUND GROUNDS OF GLASTONBURY ABBEY AND ABBEY HOUSE, INCLUDING THE GATE WAY
ON CHILKWELL STREET, CHILKWELL STREET AND WALL AROUND GROUNDS OF GLASTONBURY ABBEY
AND ABBEY HOUSE, SILVER STREET

•	 List Entry Number: 1345438

•	 Heritage Category: Listing

•	 Grade: II*

•	 Location: Wall around grounds of Glastonbury Abbey and Abbey House, Silver Street, Glastonbury, Somerset

11

Consultant Archaeologist - Sep 2025Company Limited by Guarantee registered in
England and Wales with company number
06873912
Registered charity number 1129263

Registered Address
Abbey Gatehouse
Magdalene Street
Glastonbury
Somerset
BA6 9EL

Telephone
+44 (0)1458 832267