Places of Power. Where and how to recharge in England

Glastonbury Tor

This 158-meter hill, located near one of the oldest English towns (Glastonbury), can “tell” legends for every taste.

The documented history of the site is best explored from the top of Glastonbury Tor, a lonely and even more impressive tower. The only surviving structure on the hill is the remains of the second church, St Michael’s, which was demolished in the mid-16th century. It was built on the foundations of an even older church, which was destroyed by an earthquake on September 11, 1275.

On the way to the top, you can’t pass the seven terraces – ledges of land whose versions of origin sound much less certain than the story of the lonely tower. Some researchers agree that the ledges were formed naturally by the layering of limestone. Others believe that the slopes may have been part of defensive structures. The most mysterious version is that the terraces are part of an ancient three-dimensional labyrinth.

For those who want to immerse themselves in an atmosphere of mysticism and lore, Glastonbury Tor is a great find. “It’s a place that attracts a huge number of completely different people with its legends. And I, too, am planning one of the magical trips to Glastonbury. This is where King Arthur’s sarcophagus is believed to have been found, this is where Mary Magdalene once arrived, the Holy Grail may be hidden somewhere here, this tower is a magical portal to another world and at the same time the first Christian building in Britain. And, of course, here you will find fantastic views over the fields of Somerset County,” says Maria Semushkina.

Glastonbury Tor is located in the county of Somersetshire in southwest England, near the city of Bristol. The journey from London by car is about 150 miles and takes 3-3.5 hours. By train, the same journey can be made in about 4 hours.

Avebury

On the outskirts of the village of the same name in Wiltshire, Avebury is one of the most interesting, along with the more famous Stonehenge, prehistoric sites in Britain. It is a megalithic complex of over a hundred blocks of stone. Not only the largest in England, but also the largest in the world.

The diameter of the outer circle of stones is so large that inside it are modern houses and the roads adjacent to them. There are also two smaller circles of stones, as well as alleys lined with stones that lead to equally amazing sites. For example, one of the alleys heads to the forty-meter-long Silbury Hill Mound, one of the largest in the world.

It is not known exactly how the ancients used megalithic structures. But the most widespread theories suggest that Avebury could have been a place for sacred rituals, as well as a center for astronomical observations of the sun and moon (and both of these purposes could be intertwined with each other).

These days Avebury attracts both those interested in the prehistoric period of humanity and those looking for ways to tap into the sources of unrecognized ancient powers. We can’t promise you that you’ll be able to tackle the latter, but the chances of having fun trying to do so are rated pretty high.

The Avebury megalithic complex is located in the county of Wiltshire in southwest England not too far from the town of Swindon. The journey by car from London will take about 2 hours (approximately 90 miles). The journey by train will also take about 2 hours.

Dev Aura

“House of Light” (that’s how Dev Aura translates) is a spiritual center located in Lincolnshire in the East of England. The specialty of this place is that here you can not only enjoy the peaceful and picturesque surroundings, but also undergo the unique Aura-Soma color therapy.

The Aura-Soma practice was created in 1983 by Vicky Wall, an English pharmacist and esotericist. It is a system based on the idea of the profound effect of certain colors on the physical, emotional and spiritual state of a person. The practice utilizes essences consisting of oils and water extracts. Each of the colors poured into bottles corresponds to a certain chakra – and in this way allows you to work through different states and needs of a person.

“This is a unique place of strength in the heart of the UK, where spirituality and natural strength meet. At Dev Aura I once discovered not only the knowledge and practices of Aura-Soma, but also a unique atmosphere filled with light and love. For it is more than just therapy. It is a way to discover harmony and balance through colors that vibrate in unison with your soul,” Maria shares.

One of the important impressions of Dev Aura will be a visit to Shire Farm, a farm where the herbs used in Aura-Soma color therapy grow. A key feature of the farm is that it is biodynamic, meaning it is a self-sufficient living organism that can grow without external human influences. The walking route passes through a “chakra path” designed by professionals from Aura-Soma. Each of Shire Farm’s seven chakras, through which visitors will be invited to walk, provides an opportunity to have a unique spiritual experience and enjoy the splendor of the environment at the same time.

• The next two-day Aura Soma retreat at Dev Aura will take place on September 20-22 – the days of the autumnal equinox. Guests will be able to restore energy balance, experience their potential in a new way and find the path to inner harmony. Participants will enjoy Aura-Soma training, kundalini yoga classes, walks along the chakra path, soundwalking, meditations, sacred music concert, nature practices and other wonderful activities in a small company of people close to the spirit.
  
  The detailed program can be found at the link. There is a special offer for ZIMA readers: with the promo code Zima you can book the retreat at a discount.

Dev Aura is located in the picturesque village of Thetford, Lincolnshire in the East of England (north of London). The nearest major city is Lincoln. The journey from the capital by car is about 140 miles and takes approximately 3.5 hours. Getting to Lincoln by train (where a transfer will pick you up) will take about 3 hours.

Cornwall

The south-west corner of the UK – from Plymouth onwards – is an area with huge potential for new exploration, and one you can (and want to) return to again and again. It would be impossible to get around Cornwall in one go. The traditional southern English scenery alone, consisting of lush grassy rocky cliffs by the sea and narrow paths leading to hidden beaches, is more than enough to recharge your batteries and get a good airing (literally, too, so don’t forget to bring windproof clothing).

But there’s plenty to do here for those used to drawing on the rich English history. The first point on the map is the ruins of Tingatele Castle, where at different times stood both a Roman settlement and the residence of a Celtic king. The surviving ruins are the remains of a 13th century castle built by Richard, Earl of Cornwall. You won’t be surprised to learn that this place is also steeped in the tales of King Arthur: this is where he was supposedly born.

Here in Cornwall you can also find the magnificent tidal islands. St Michael’s Mount is a particularly picturesque spot, where you’ll find a noteworthy castle.

Mên-an-Tol, a group of three “standing” stones forming something like “101” is another favorite location in Cornwall. In folklore, the place is believed to have healing magical powers. To access it, a person (more often an infant) would be handed over to the fairies for “treatment” through a round stone with a hole in the middle. You can still look through the stone today in search of fairy voices.

Cornwall is located in the southwest of England. The journey by car from London will take at least 250 miles in 4.5 hours, and by train it can take twice as long. We recommend traveling in this direction at least overnight, and even better – for several days.