White Spring

A Sacred Sanctuary Beneath the Tor

The White Spring flows from deep caverns beneath Glastonbury Tor, emerging as one of two legendary healing springs that have defined this sacred landscape for millennia. Unlike its famous companion, the Chalice Well, the White Spring's waters are rich in white calcite, creating a stark visual and spiritual contrast. The spring itself has never ceased flowing, a testament to the abundant aquifers that feed the Tor's geological heart. In 1872, a Victorian well house was constructed over the spring to provide clean water to the town during a cholera outbreak. Though the high mineral content eventually rendered it impractical for municipal use, this sturdy brick structure has been transformed into something far more profound: a living temple dedicated to spiritual practice and healing.

The Temple Within: Architecture and Sacred Geometry

The well house, a modest Victorian building that appears almost unassuming from the street, conceals an extraordinary interior. Volunteers have carefully designed and built a series of sacred pools within the cavernous space, constructed according to principles of sacred geometry. The temple features two immersion pools—a smaller raised pool approximately four and a half feet deep and a larger central circular pool about two feet deep. The atmosphere is deliberately mysterious and introspective: the space is dimly lit or illuminated only by candlelight, creating an environment that encourages meditation, prayer, and reflection. The constant sound of flowing water echoes through the chamber, while the temperature remains steady year-round, adding to the sanctuary's unique sensory character.

Shrines and Spiritual Traditions

Within the temple, multiple shrines honor the diverse spiritual heritage of Avalon and the sacred energies believed to inhabit this place. A shrine dedicated to Brigid, the Celtic Fire Goddess and guardian of sacred springs, maintains a continuously burning flame. Our Lady of Avalon, known as the Black Madonna, is honored through a shrine that has attracted pilgrims from across Europe. A third shrine venerates the King of the World of Faerie, positioned at what is believed to be a portal to the Otherworld—the realm of Celtic mythology. Saint Michael is also commemorated, as the Michael Line, a powerful ley line associated with sacred sites across Britain, flows directly through the building. These shrines reflect the layering of traditions—Celtic goddess worship, Christian veneration, and fairy lore—that have accumulated at this site over centuries.

A Place of Healing and Pilgrimage

The White Spring's waters are believed to possess healing properties, drawing visitors seeking physical restoration, emotional balance, and spiritual renewal. The mineral composition—particularly the calcite derived from ancient marine organisms—has been valued for its purifying and restorative qualities. Many pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred pools, while others simply sit in silence, listening to the water's perpetual flow and absorbing the sanctuary's contemplative energy. The space welcomes diverse spiritual traditions and backgrounds, functioning as a non-denominational sacred site where meditation, prayer, and personal reflection take precedence over doctrine. Ceremonies marking the turning of the seasons, full moons, and dark moons are regularly held, drawing communities together in celebration of natural cycles and spiritual connection.

History and Restoration

The site's significance extends far into the past. Archaeological evidence suggests that Celtic Christian hermits inhabited the area, with monastic remains discovered on Glastonbury Tor itself. Medieval and early modern accounts describe the spring as a place of spiritual importance, though its sacred status was obscured during the Victorian era when it served purely utilitarian purposes. After the well house fell into disrepair and was eventually sold by the Water Board, a dedicated group of volunteers undertook its restoration in the 1980s and beyond. This revival was driven by spiritual calling rather than commercial interest—the White Spring operates entirely on a voluntary basis with no entrance fee or expectation of donation, maintaining its sacred character through the devotion of its caretakers.

The Duality of Glastonbury's Springs

The White Spring and Chalice Well together form a complementary pair, embodying ancient symbolic oppositions: red and white, iron and calcite, masculine and feminine, earth and spirit. Together they represent what many believe to be a unified expression of divine balance and the union of opposites. The White Spring's darker, more introspective character contrasts beautifully with the sunlit gardens and open wells of Chalice Well across the road. This duality has made Glastonbury a destination for pilgrims seeking wholeness and understanding of the sacred landscape's multifaceted spiritual dimensions.