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Normal For Glastonbury: Life in England's Most Magical Town
Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to live in Glastonbury? You’ll find all the answers in this collection of essays featuring insightful, affectionate and often humorous observations and anecdotes from over 30 years of life in England’s most magical, and oddest, town. Where followers of over seventy faiths peaceably coexist, fairies have Balls and Goddesses gather at conferences. Glastonbury is a small Somerset market town, but it’s also known as the Isle of Avalon and the Heart Chakra of the World. Here ley lines converge and the Red and White Springs bubble up at the foot of Glastonbury Tor, an iconic hill rising majestically from the flat landscape of the once flooded Levels. Central to the town you’ll find the ruined Abbey, famed as the cradle of Christianity in England and the burial site of King Arthur and Guinevere of legend. The author hitch hiked to Glastonbury in 1988 for a free festival on the Tor and moved there in 1993. She paints a vivid picture of the town and the joys and frustrations of living in a place that has attracted pilgrims, free-thinkers and mystics for millennia. She reveals the relationship between Glastonbury Town and the nearby Glastonbury Festival, the largest greenfield music and performing arts festival in the world. The book features a colourful cast including witches, hippies, alpacas, vegans and largely tolerant Somerset locals. It’s illustrated with some, not terribly helpful, maps and includes a short story that explains why Glastonbury has an awful lot of ley lines, but no stone circles. Many of these essays were originally published as posts in the popular blog ‘Normal For Glastonbury’. They have been polished up and added to, to offer distraction free reading. Published in May 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic the book also touches on life in Glastonbury in lockdown. Foreword by Glastonbury based author and educator William Bloom. one of the world’s leading practitioners and experts in spirituality and wellness
- GenresNonfictionTravel
144 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2020
15 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Steward
2 books5 followersBorn in an unremarkable Midlands town in 1968 Vicki Steward had early ambitions to be a journalist, but a school careers advisor told her working class girls couldn't become writers. She moved to Glastonbury in 1993. Since then she has sold books, managed bands, organised festivals and worked for numerous Glastonbury community organisations.
In April 2016 she was asked to help a friend with a blog, not knowing much about blogging she thought she'd experiment with one of her own, on her favourite subject, Glastonbury Town. She quickly created a website called Normal For Glastonbury and published her first post blog post about life in the Town. She was expecting a tiny readership, but after sharing the post on her personal Facebook page, it reached over 2000 readers in two days. Realising there were clearly a lot of people out there who wanted to read about Glastonbury, she carried on blogging.
In May 2020 she polished up the best of her writing, added some humorous illustrations and compiled it all into an eBook: Normal For Glastonbury - Life in England's Most Magical Town.
In April 2016 she was asked to help a friend with a blog, not knowing much about blogging she thought she'd experiment with one of her own, on her favourite subject, Glastonbury Town. She quickly created a website called Normal For Glastonbury and published her first post blog post about life in the Town. She was expecting a tiny readership, but after sharing the post on her personal Facebook page, it reached over 2000 readers in two days. Realising there were clearly a lot of people out there who wanted to read about Glastonbury, she carried on blogging.
In May 2020 she polished up the best of her writing, added some humorous illustrations and compiled it all into an eBook: Normal For Glastonbury - Life in England's Most Magical Town.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 5, 2021
Kaleidoscopic and wonderful!
I lived in Glastonbury from the ages of 4-27 and losing myself in this book during lockdown has been escapism at its best. The author understands the mystical town and its people inside and out. Steward's writing is quite sublime at times as she takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride that covers Glastonbury's daily celebration of uniqueness and its highs and lows, its history and sense of place in the world. A brilliant and magical and insightful read for locals and everyone who has put the town and its festival on their bucket list. I flipping LOVED it and learned so much about my beloved hometown and its leylines!
I lived in Glastonbury from the ages of 4-27 and losing myself in this book during lockdown has been escapism at its best. The author understands the mystical town and its people inside and out. Steward's writing is quite sublime at times as she takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride that covers Glastonbury's daily celebration of uniqueness and its highs and lows, its history and sense of place in the world. A brilliant and magical and insightful read for locals and everyone who has put the town and its festival on their bucket list. I flipping LOVED it and learned so much about my beloved hometown and its leylines!
June 8, 2020
Exploring the myth
Fascinating insight into living in the legendary town of Glastonbury, and the world famous festival. It's a town of many contradictions, and though I have visited in the past, it has made me want to go back even more.
Fascinating insight into living in the legendary town of Glastonbury, and the world famous festival. It's a town of many contradictions, and though I have visited in the past, it has made me want to go back even more.
June 16, 2020
A true reflection of the real Glastonbury
I'm gonna keep this short and sweet, not because I'm lazy (which is somewhat true), but this is the most accurate account of Glastonbury you will find anywhere. Such a great read!!! Fantastic!!!
I'm gonna keep this short and sweet, not because I'm lazy (which is somewhat true), but this is the most accurate account of Glastonbury you will find anywhere. Such a great read!!! Fantastic!!!
August 13, 2020
Reading this book is almost like visiting Glastonbury.
August 28, 2020
Very enjoyable
I am a vicarious visitor to Glastonbury via Phil Rickman’s books and I have very much enjoyed experiencing the town through the author’s eyes. Recommended.
I am a vicarious visitor to Glastonbury via Phil Rickman’s books and I have very much enjoyed experiencing the town through the author’s eyes. Recommended.
May 24, 2025
A Truly Magical Read That Enriches Every Visit
I've just finished reading "Normal for Glastonbury," and what a delightful journey it was! This isn't just another guide; it's a wonderfully heartfelt exploration of a place that so many of us hold dear. The author has a real knack for balancing fascinating factual nuggets with a genuinely warm and friendly style that makes you feel like you're chatting with an old friend who happens to know all the best secrets of Glastonbury.
What I particularly loved is how the book manages to capture the unique essence of Glastonbury – that almost tangible sense of the sacred and magical that hangs in the air. It’s packed with insights that I know will make my own future wanderings around the Tor and a mooch through the town's unique shops even more meaningful.
If you're looking for a book that not only informs but also truly resonates with the spirit of Glastonbury, then this is most certainly it. It's left me feeling even more connected to this special place, armed with new knowledge that will undoubtedly enrich every visit to come. A thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read!
I've just finished reading "Normal for Glastonbury," and what a delightful journey it was! This isn't just another guide; it's a wonderfully heartfelt exploration of a place that so many of us hold dear. The author has a real knack for balancing fascinating factual nuggets with a genuinely warm and friendly style that makes you feel like you're chatting with an old friend who happens to know all the best secrets of Glastonbury.
What I particularly loved is how the book manages to capture the unique essence of Glastonbury – that almost tangible sense of the sacred and magical that hangs in the air. It’s packed with insights that I know will make my own future wanderings around the Tor and a mooch through the town's unique shops even more meaningful.
If you're looking for a book that not only informs but also truly resonates with the spirit of Glastonbury, then this is most certainly it. It's left me feeling even more connected to this special place, armed with new knowledge that will undoubtedly enrich every visit to come. A thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read!
May 24, 2025
A Truly Magical Read That Enriches Every Visit
I’ve just finished reading “Normal for Glastonbury,” and what a delightful journey it was! This isn’t just another guide; it’s a wonderfully heartfelt exploration of a place that so many of us hold dear. The author has a real knack for balancing fascinating factual nuggets with a genuinely warm and friendly style that makes you feel like you’re chatting with an old friend who happens to know all the best secrets of Glastonbury.
What I particularly loved is how the book manages to capture the unique essence of Glastonbury – that almost tangible sense of the sacred and magical that hangs in the air. It’s packed with insights that I know will make my own future wanderings around the Tor and a mooch through the town’s unique shops even more meaningful.
If you’re looking for a book that not only informs but also truly resonates with the spirit of Glastonbury, then this is most certainly it. It’s left me feeling even more connected to this special place, armed with new knowledge that will undoubtedly enrich every visit to come. A thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read!
I’ve just finished reading “Normal for Glastonbury,” and what a delightful journey it was! This isn’t just another guide; it’s a wonderfully heartfelt exploration of a place that so many of us hold dear. The author has a real knack for balancing fascinating factual nuggets with a genuinely warm and friendly style that makes you feel like you’re chatting with an old friend who happens to know all the best secrets of Glastonbury.
What I particularly loved is how the book manages to capture the unique essence of Glastonbury – that almost tangible sense of the sacred and magical that hangs in the air. It’s packed with insights that I know will make my own future wanderings around the Tor and a mooch through the town’s unique shops even more meaningful.
If you’re looking for a book that not only informs but also truly resonates with the spirit of Glastonbury, then this is most certainly it. It’s left me feeling even more connected to this special place, armed with new knowledge that will undoubtedly enrich every visit to come. A thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening read!
July 9, 2024
If you love Glastonbury….
You will love this. I have fallen in love with the town and now plan my next visit as soon as I leave! Vicki has captured the essence of the town and its beautiful people remarkably well in this short book. I am a follower of the Facebook page and enjoy reading the posts, seeing the colourful people and their free spirit nature as I scroll, brightening up my feed, I feel drawn to the landscape, the stories and the people and loop forward to heading back soon.
Vicki details the towns ups and downs over the years and this book gives you appreciation of where the town is now not withstanding the challenges its inhabitants face.
You will love this. I have fallen in love with the town and now plan my next visit as soon as I leave! Vicki has captured the essence of the town and its beautiful people remarkably well in this short book. I am a follower of the Facebook page and enjoy reading the posts, seeing the colourful people and their free spirit nature as I scroll, brightening up my feed, I feel drawn to the landscape, the stories and the people and loop forward to heading back soon.
Vicki details the towns ups and downs over the years and this book gives you appreciation of where the town is now not withstanding the challenges its inhabitants face.
October 31, 2021
Love Glastonbury and loved the book
I have visited Glastonbury often and love how free and easy it is to be there. This book has given me further insight into the people living and visiting the colourful town. Thanks Vicki for your wonderful depiction of your life and times living in and around this awesome community.
I have visited Glastonbury often and love how free and easy it is to be there. This book has given me further insight into the people living and visiting the colourful town. Thanks Vicki for your wonderful depiction of your life and times living in and around this awesome community.
October 24, 2021
Great Insight
A quick, amusing read that delves beneath the veneer of Glastonbury and shows the many sides of the famous town. Fascinating and enjoyable.
A quick, amusing read that delves beneath the veneer of Glastonbury and shows the many sides of the famous town. Fascinating and enjoyable.
March 19, 2022
I laughed out loud reading this book! Brilliantly witty and full of excellent anecdotes and colourful characters. Highly recommend when you need a smile.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews