Name: Talk and Tea: Beckery – Britain’s earliest monastery
Start: 2026-02-06T14:30:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-06T15:30:00+00:00
Location: Somerset Rural Life Museum

$Talk and Tea: Beckery \u2013 Britain\u2019s earliest monastery$

Join Dr Richard Brunning as he delves in to the story of Britain's earliest monastery and its legendary associations.
About this Event

Speaker: Dr Richard Brunning, Senior Historic Environment Officer, South West Heritage Trust.

Join archaeologist Dr Richard Brunning for a fascinating exploration of Beckery Isalnd, near Glastonbury and discover the archaeological excavations that revealed it to be the site of the earliest known monastery in Britain and Ireland.

Dating of the monastic cemetery showed that it lasted until the conquest of the area by the West Saxons in the 7th century AD, when their new foundation at Glastonbury Abbey replaced it.

The excavations, which took place in 2016, also produced more evidence of the series of medieval chapels and associated buildings that later occupied the island and had legendary connections with St Brigit and King Arthur.

Booking

Tickets £5.00, includes a cup of tea/coffee.