Glastonbury Thorn is a small tree that grows around Glastonbury, and is famous because it is said that the first to have been planted was done so by St Joseph of Arimathea. The year was 63AD.

At the foot of Glastonbury Tor, Joseph bade his friends to bow down to pay and give thanks. Having brought with him a staff grown from Christ's Holy Crown of Thorns, he stopped and announced that he and his twelve companions were 'Weary All'.

Standing up, Joseph thrust his staff into the sod of Wearyall Hill. Miraculously, the staff took root and budded. He was planting the Gospel in England.

The Thorn is first mentioned in the Lyfe of Joseph of Arimathea, written around 1502 but based on an earlier account of the story. At the time of the Civil War, the tree was cut down by a Puritan.

Today descendents of the original Glastonbury Thorn still bear fruit at each and every Christmas. The royal family have a sprig upon their Christmas table.