Meare Manor

Whether you decide to go to the Gardens for religious, historical, or meditative purposes, I can guarantee you that it will be an experience that you won't forget. For those who go to visit the garden to see and reflect, it is a beautiful place. The flora and fauna are magnificent and it's no cell phone policy makes it a peaceful, relaxing place to be. There are many benches tucked into private areas throughout the garden and you can find yourself quite alone if you want to be. The natural spring that comes into the well comes from a shaft that is 800 years old. The pentagonal chamber that is attached to the well dates back to the 18th century. It was built for reservoir purposes back when the spring was used as part of a spa treatment. Today, you can wade in the small pond. The religious legend is that Joseph of Arimathea brought with him the Holy Grail to Glastonbury (Avalon) and deposited it under the hill where the spring ran. Throughout the gardens are many yew trees, beautiful trees that have old, withered looks to them. The yew was traditionally placed in church yards but this is a continuation of pre-Christian practices when yews were featured in Celtic and Druidic practices. There are three Holy Thorn trees in the garden. The legend behind the horn tree is that it sprouted from Joseph's staff when he put it into the ground. It flowers around Christmas and Easter. You can drink water from the spring at the Lion's Head. It is said to have healing powers. I have drunk the water myself and although I am not a huge water drinker, there is definitely something strange about this stuff-I couldn't get enough of it. It is said to be pure and unpolluted and it was certainly delicious. You are encouraged to take containers to take the water away with you. There are two main currents of energy that run through the garden. One line runs from Cornwall to Norfolk and bisects through Arthur's Court. The Michael and Mary line goes through the Abbey and Tor and eventually through Avebury Stone Circle.