The carnivals are Somerset's way of celebrating the failure of Guy Fawkes' gunpowder plot. So yes, the tradition dates all the way back to 1605, and has grown to become one of the largest illuminated carnival processions in Europe. Glastonbury hosts the final procession of the Guy Fawkes circuit, two weeks after the Bridgwater one, which is always the Saturday closest to Bonfire Night.

The carts themselves are often huge, and can be very elaborate, with lots of moving parts, lights, and very loud music. Picture above very representative! A spectacle to be seen if you never have before; the atmosphere's great!

I’ve always turned this into a day trip, when taking friends up from Exeter, to see the nearby city of Wells beforehand. England’s smallest city boasts a very attractive town centre, with a market operating across the day on Saturdays. There are usually some yummy hot food stalls where we can grab lunch. And there’re lots of nice cafes too. Not to mention the cathedral of St Andrew, the Bishop’s Palace and Vicars’ Close.

This is always a fun day out, and if people want to see more of Wells and Glastonbury on a dedicated trip in future, I would be very happy to arrange. Before moving to Devon, the area was home for me for more than 20 years!

The carnival procession starts at 6:45pm, and will take a good couple of hours to go by. We’re unlikely to get away from Glastonbury until well after 9pm, if we stay until the end - I’ll play that by ear. So expect a LATE evening return to Exeter.

I STRONGLY recommend bringing spare layers of clothing for the evening. You’ll be on your feet and standing still for a couple of hours, after nightfall.

Plenty of hot food options for dinner in Glastonbury, and the pubs are usually selling mulled wine and mulled cider on the night, where we can also use the loos.

I can take A FEW passengers in my car, but if anyone else can also bring a car along, then we can offer more lifts.

I propose leaving Exeter soon after 10:00am. That’ll give us time to wander around Wells, grab lunch, et, before heading on to Glastonbury. It’s about 1hr 20m drive each way.

We COULD meet on Bude Street, near the bus station, just off Paris St, or through the archway from Sidwell Street. If anyone’s got a better idea, or if it turns out people are generally further out, let me know. An alternative / additional pick-up drop-off point could be the Heavitree Waitrose. Please COMMENT BELOW with roughly where you’re based so we can work out what’s best for the majority.

Exeter 20s and 30s

Social Activities

Eating & Drinking

Exploring

Intellectual Discussions

Outdoors

Live Music

Wine

Dining Out

Happy Hour

20's-30's

20's

Coffee

Do you have a car, and are you willing to offer lifts? I can add more spaces if so. :)

Glastonbury Carnival & city of Wells, Somerset day trip

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