Glastonbury Abbey
Analysis
Glastonbury Abbey is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Glastonbury. It was registered in April 2009, 17 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, religious activities, arts/culture/heritage/science and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under religion. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 06873912). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending December 2025, Glastonbury Abbey reported income of £1.9m and spending of £2.2m, spending 115% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £1.4m to £1.9m (+36%), an average of +8.0% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2024, when income rose by 45%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.
Among 20,496 England and Wales charities whose main cause is religion and that reported income, Glastonbury Abbey sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 96th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Liberal Jewish Synagogue (£1.9m), Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East (£1.9m) and Jaamiatul Imaam Muhammad Zakaria Muhajir Madani (£1.9m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 63%, trading 25%, donations and legacies 10% and investments 2.5%. Charitable activities took 90% of spending and raising funds 0.0%. Reserves of £1.2m would cover about 6 months of spending at that rate. It employed 43 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 10%
- Charitable activities 63%
- Trading 25%
- Investments 2.5%
In the charity's own words
The charity maintains and cares for the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey and the surrounding 36 acres/15 hectares of grounds enjoyed by 100,000 visitors a year from all over the world. Our museum explains the history of the abbey, presents its collections and hosts exhibitions and education activities. An events programme includes tours, talks and costumed re-enactors. We are open 364 days a year.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Liberal Jewish Synagogue | London | £1.9m |
| Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East | London | £1.9m |
| Jaamiatul Imaam Muhammad Zakaria Muhajir Madani | Bradford | £1.9m |
| The Stanborough Press Limited | Grantham | £1.9m |