GLASTONBURY, 'Avalon of the Heart' - the 'English Jerusalem' - is nestled near the foot of the Mendip Hills in England. It is a holy place known as the Isle of Avalon, abundant in folklore, legend and spiritual mystery. It is a magical place, with myths being transformed and continually created. Many believe it to be the Heart Chakra of the World.

The Tor, on a clear day, has astonishing views of the area. An inspiring landmark, it is some 500 feet high rising above the Somerset Levels. On warm misty mornings in October, the 'Mists of Avalon' take us back centuries to when Glastonbury was an island - the Isle of Glass or Ynys Witrin. Nearby is Chalice Well, a natural healing spring with beautiful, peaceful gardens. The legend goes that Jesus' uncle, Joseph of Arimathea, brought the blood of Jesus from the Last Supper to Glastonbury, in a chalice known as the Holy Grail. This Chalice is believed to be buried in Chalice Hill, where the waters run red into the Spring.

The Town was once a port at the foot of Wearyall Hill, where another Joseph legend began. It is said that on his arrival, he stuck his staff into the the ground where it grew into a flowering thorn known as the Holy Thorn. This Thorn flowers as normal in the Springtime and, very unusually, during the Christmas period, when the local church sends cuttings of the Thorn Flower to the Queen of England each year.

So much has been written about Glastonbury over the centuries. While the past is important, it is the present that still draws many pilgrims and visitors who come here for a number of reasons throughout the year in their thousands, draws by one of the many energies and activities that are prevalent here. For leaders of Church and other Religions are coming together with one common understanding of the nature of Spirit. In its history, it has been the centre for ancient Celtic and Pagan Religions, prior to the first Christian Church in Europe being built on the site of the Abbey. For me, it is the place where I migrated to and found a deep peace and love for the place, like many others who came here...just came one day and never left; got off the bus and forgot to get on again...so I invite you to come...and feel it for yourself.

'BERACHAH' is a beautiful, unique, architect-designed property situated on the slopes of Glastonbury Tor, and is probably one of the most attractive positions in Glastonbury. The site was part of Chalice Orchard, which in the late 1920's was the site of the first known Ashram in Britain. The site was then owned by Violet Firth - known as Dion Fortune - who was one of the most influential occultists of the twentieth century. Where Berachah House is built stood Dion Fortune's Temple. In the grounds is one of the Holy Thorn trees previously mentioned, which flowered twice a year.

The House was designed and built by a Welsh architect, who named it 'Berachah'. In Welsh, the name means 'Place of Special Blessing' - the Sufi word 'Beraka' is similar to the Yiddish word, meaning 'Point of Blessing'. The House is situated between the footpath to the Tor, and the 'White Spring', and overlooks the Red Waters of the Chalice Well and Gardens.

The part of the property used for overnight accommodation is through the front of the House in the South-West Wing, which is set into the Tor. The excellently-appointed drawing room is located on the ground floor and can be used for Residential Workshop space. The log-burning fire is lit on cold evenings for guests to either sit and dream beside, or watch television, or various New Age and Spiritual Video Tapes. On the first floor are the Kitchen and Breakfast Rooms, which have an uninterrupted view across the Vale of Avalon to Butleigh and beyond and to the Blackdown Hills, where on a clear day the Wellington Monument in Devon can be seen. There are three double rooms available for accommodation on this floor. The House is heated by warm-air gas central heating.

The House has parking facilities for guests and is within 10 minutes walk of the High Street of Glastonbury, with Abbey and museums. Other amenities include a wide variety of unusual shops for the spiritual pilgrim - there is also a large Safeways store. Tours of the Ancient Sites are available from the Gothic Image Bookshop in the High Street. There are wonderful walks just outside the Town on the Somerset Levels. The well-known Shoe Town of Street can be seen from the House, where there are many shoe and clothes bargains. The City of Wells, with its shopping centre, is within 10 minutes drive by car. With Shepton Mallet and Taunton nearby, you're in Cider Country! The nearset railway stations are Castle Cary (20 minutes) or Taunton (30 minutes) by taxi or car. There are regular bus services in the area to Taunton, Bristol and London.