(01963) 440002 longhazelpark@hotmail.com

“HIC IACET SEPULTUS INCLYTUS REX ARTURIUS IN UNSUL”
(Here in the Isle of Avalon the famous King Arthur lies buried).

Long Hazel Park has been granted celebrity status by Enjoy England due to our close proximity to Cadbury Castle, South Cadbury. Many historians believe that this is the most likely site of King Arthur’s Camelot in Britain.

This Iron Age Hill Fort encompasses 18 acres and has views across the Vale of Camelot, the Blackmore Vale and across to Glastonbury Tor. According to a surviving record from the 5th Century, it is from here that King Arthur led his troops to the final victory of Mons Badonicus against Anglo-Saxon invaders at Salisbury Plain.

Bishop Leland mentioned King Arthur at Cadbury Castle when he chronicled his travels in South Somerset in 1542. He wrote:

“At the very south ende of the Church of South Cadbyri standith Camallate, sumtyme a famous toun or castelle. The people can telle nothing ther but that they have hard say that Arture much resorted to Camalat”

In nearby Queen Camel, the battle of Camlann is said to have taken place. During this battle, King Arthur was fatally wounded by his enemy, Mordred. King Arthur was carted away and put on a barge across the sea to the Isle of Avalon, which is now known as Glastonbury.

The monks of Glastonbury buried King Arthur’s body in their own cemetery there. In the 12th Century, the bones of a tall man were found in Glastonbury, together with bones and hair of a woman thought to be Guinevere. A lead cross was also found bearing the inscription “HIC IACET SEPULTUS INCLYTUS REX ARTURIUS IN INSUL” (translated: “Here in the Isle of Avalon the famous King Arthur lies buried”). Today, the site of King Arthur’s final resting place can be located in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey.

We have a waterproof walking pack available for the Leland Trail route which visitors are welcome to borrow from Reception during their stay. Cadbury Castle is a short walk or drive from our Park and we are able to recommend pubs and routes to customers wishing to visit.