The University Field Trip Programme is a new and exciting venture for The Isle of Avalon Foundation. As part of the Foundation’s commitment to the study of esoteric traditions and contemporary spirituality, this national programme is a way in which students at university can have access to, and learn about, many aspects of contemporary spirituality and what is often called the ‘new age’.

Glastonbury is often seen as the ‘new age’ capital of Britain. Whatever the validity of such a claim, Glastonbury is certainly one of the most significant world centres for contemporary spirituality and religion. It has an intriguing religious history which includes pre-Christian, Christian and post-Christian traditions. Within minutes of each other are ancient Pagan sites, the ruins of one of the most powerful Christian Abbeys in English history, and the recently opened Goddess Temple, being the first permanent site for the worship of the Goddess in Europe for hundreds of years.

The field trips can suit undergraduate or postgraduate students, and if required we can tailor-make a field trip to suit your programme needs, as well as accommodating individual students who want to pursue an area of study for a research project.

This programme has been designed and is run by Rick Arrandale. Until recently, Rick was a Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University College where he taught a range of courses and modules on mysticism and mythology, the Arthurian & Grail tradition, the Goddess and Thealogy and the new age in Glastonbury. As well as Rick, there are a range of tutors who teach on the field trips who are nationally and internationally well known in their respective fields, with many of them being published authors.

The field trips tend to run from Sunday evenings until Wednesday (though alternative arrangements can be made), and during that time students will be introduced to the history, mythology and sacred sights of Glastonbury, and take part in a range of sessions on various aspects of contemporary spirituality and religion as well as healing traditions. There will be seminars and discussion groups to follow up such sessions, and for those who want it the chance to take part in various experiential activities.

This is a new project for 2004, and it is hoped that in the future we will be able to develop published material and set up conferences for both students and academics on many aspects of the world of contemporary spirituality and religion.

We hope that you enjoy taking part in discovering what the author John Cowper Powys described as the ‘immemorial mystery’ that is Glastonbury.

Read more about last year's field trip >>>

What Students Have Said About the Field Trips

The following are quotations taken from student evaluation forms.