Shopping Guide - Glastonbury, England

Glastonbury shopping is about tourism. The shops on the High Street are designed to trap the casual shopper who doesn't really know what they want, and is therefore more likely to make impulse buys. Due to Glastonbury's position as a spiritual centre for both Christian and alternative faiths, the shops are heavily biased on the side of associated content such as books, ritual clothing and incense. The selection of shops chosen for this article is designed to give an overview of what is available and by no means covers the whole. Walking the High Street and side streets is by far the best way to become familiar with everything to see and buy.

Starting at the market place, complete with war memorial, Heartfelt Trading is one of the more striking shops. Their window display, fairy castles, flowers and crystals, catches the eye and draws shoppers in. Heartfelt Trading specialize in fairies. A large tree grows in the centre of the room, bedecked with fairies and all manner of fey items. The shop sells all manner of fairy items, from glasses and statues to books, cards and elf ears. At the rear of the shop is a crystal room, run by Chris Wright, husband of the owner. It has a well deserved reputation for reasonably priced, ethically sourced crystals of every kind.

Walking a little further up the high street, there is the first of two dedicated book shops, both worthy of mention. The Speaking Tree, with its distinctive green frontage, sells all kinds of 'remaindered' books at wonderful discounts. Although they rely heavily on the 'esoteric', many other types of books are also available. The store is small and crammed to the rafters, including an upstairs room, but it is well worth a visit. They have an online store where it is possible to top up your collection whilst away from Glastonbury.

Twinned with the Speaking Tree, and on the opposite side of the road, is Courtyard Books. The books here tend to be of the recycled variety. They are always good quality and bargains are to be had. Almost exclusively, the books are esoteric, ranging across Wicca, Buddhism, meditation, green issues, poetry, Glastonbury history and much more. There is an excellent 'collectors' section where older, less available books are available. The staff are helpful and always willing to try and locate a book for shoppers. This shop is larger than the Speaking Tree (but only has one floor) and probably has even more books crammed onto every available surface. Be warned, once you walk in, the family may have to send out a search party to pry you out!

Whilst we are on this side of the road, we can take the rear door out of Courtyard Books and pay a visit to the courtyard and Margaret Kimber. This wonderful shop is filled to the rafters, literally, with every imaginable gift and a beautiful selection of clothing. Space is at a premium when it comes to Glastonbury shops and Margaret Kimber certainly packs their space with incense (currently 12 sticks for £1), musical instruments, accessories, statues, wind-chimes, dresses, skirts and fabulous little gifts which are suited to the less affluent purse. (There can be no doubt, Glastonbury is not the cheapest shopping in the country, but knowing what you want and where to find it can help cut expenditure.)

Following the path back onto the high street (look out for the bargain books stall associated with Courtyard Books), we turn right and head up to The Psychic Piglet. This shop is very much orientated on gifts. They have a fabulous selection of small gifts, suitable for a child's purse, such as angel stones and fridge magnets, but they also carry clothing, oils and oil-burners and a good selection of greeting cards. These alone are not enough to elevate the Piglet into the choicer shops, but their selection of Tarot cards is. They have a large selction in many differing styles, all of which can be perused via folders with named sections and cards displayed, aiding the choice. Other shops in Glastonbury sell Tarot cards, but the Piglet excels in friendly staff and choice.

Cross the road again and head for The Gauntlet. This narrow alley which runs back from the high street and is easily missed if you are not looking for it, hides a wealth of wonderful tiny shops, first among them being a heaven for any fans of Tim Burton's movies. Debra Rose is a tiny shop but, once again, it is bursting with goodies. From gothic fairies to Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise, this is paradise for anyone who likes the slightly weird, mildly twisted and generally odd side of life. The shop sells a myriad of gifts and has a fabulous selection of alternative clothing (the shoes, by Demonia, have to be seen to be believed!). The name of the associated website perhaps says it best, sublime-nightmare.

Having taken some time to peruse the Gauntlet's selection, being sure not to miss the wonderful Dusty Attic Bears shop, with its hand-sewn beauties, return to the high street and head left. The Goddess and the Greenman is dedicated to all things associated with the name. They carry a wonderful selection of jewelry, books, ritual items and greeting cards, much of it based around the hare and it is well worth checking the Luna Hare calendar. The staff are wonderful, making visitors to the shop feel like they've walked into a home rather than a shop. They have an excellent website and will ship orders to places outside of the U.K.

Cross back to the opposite side of the road, take a good scent of the wonderful smells coming from the bakers (Burns the Bread), and head to the Magick Box. Like Lilith (a little further up the street) Magick Box is dedicated to new age, pagan, wiccan and similar faiths. A little more expensive than some of the high street shops, it is worth bearing in mind the old adage, 'You get what you pay for.' Associated with Witchcraft Ltd, Magick Box sells a great deal of a ritual nature, including clothing and athames. They also carry books, figurines, jewelry and more. Their website allows for browsing a much wider selection than can possibly be fitted into the shop.

Take a stroll back across the road and down the alley at the side of the church grounds. Here you will find a relatively new addition to Glastonbury shopping, Whispered Wishes. This tiny shop is full of wonders. If you love fairies, angels and all things fey, this is the shop for you. From fairies with magical light-up crystals to wondrous scents for the bathroom and home, via dragon mirrors and psychedelic wind-chimes, the store is a feast for the eyes and the staff could not be more friendly or helpful.

One shopping experience often missed out on by the tourist market involves the second-hand shops which dot the high street. Being Glastonbury, the items to found in these, largely ignored, shops, is not to be sniffed at. From clothing to books and faith based items for the home, being a 'second-hand Rose' can be an excellent source of quality clothing and items at next to nothing prices. An Oxfam, with pleasant staff, is located on the market place and a couple more can be found further up the high street, beyond the small supermarket.

Speaking of supermarkets, no shopping trip is sustained by foot-power alone. Eating and drinking on the hoof is a necessary evil (although taking food and drink into the shops is frowned upon for obvious reasons). Burns the Bread is a long established favourite for that quick hit of sugar (their cakes are divine) or a hot pasty on a cold day. For a wider choice, including a superb selection of organic and wholefoods, the small supermarket opposite the high street church, and the Wholefood Store are both excellent options.

As earlier stated, this selection of shops is intended as a basic guide to shopping in Glastonbury and in no way covers everything available. What it will do is get you started and save on shoe leather. Visiting Glastonbury is a wonderful experience and one day is not enough, but placing one day aside for shopping, even if only wandering through the choices in a happy daze, is a definite must. Happy shopping.