Glastonbury Abbey has announced it is opening its doors to children for free all year round.

Until now Glastonbury Abbey has offered its Kids Go Free promotion at selected periods during the year. But in a move designed to encourage more families to enjoy the history of the stunning location in the centre of Glastonbury, the abbey has said every paying adult will also be able to admit two under 16s for free.

The new offer began at the start of the half term holiday and will be available every day throughout the year. It now means a family of four will be able to enjoy the abbey for a maximum of £22.

Once on-site, families will have the opportunity to explore the 36-acre grounds, including its historic ruins, and enjoy a number of self-guided activities.

Families will also have the chance to get up close and personal with towns folk from the past, with the abbey's costumed characters providing a colourful social history of the abbey and its people

Last year more than 4,000 children enjoyed the abbey for free as part of the Kids Go Free promotion, with many visiting for the first time.

Marcelle Bacchus, the abbey's Head of Engagement, said: "Kids Go Free has been a brilliant opportunity to get more young people to learn about the history of the abbey and the grounds. We have seen hundreds of families take advantage of the offer, many of which may not have normally visited.

"History is such a valuable part of all our lives, and it's important that through offers like this we give as many people as possible the chance to access it. Kids Go Free is just one of a number of promotions we run at the abbey throughout the year, as we continue to attract new audiences to experience what this wonderful abbey has to offer.

"I know it's a cliché to say you don't get anything for free in this world, but our offer proves otherwise. At a time when we're seeing prices rise, we're bucking the trend by extending our free offer all year round."

Following the easing of covid restrictions, all parts of the ruins and grounds are now open, after some were closed because of social distancing including the museum, St. Patrick's Chapel, the Lady Chapel and the 14th century Abbot's Kitchen.

Each adult ticket, including those paying the discounted over 60s price, will admit two children for free; the cost for each additional child will be £6.50. A special discounted student ticket is also on sale for less than £10.

Situated in the heart of Glastonbury town, Glastonbury Abbey, which attracts about 100,000 visitors each year, is a site of national historic and spiritual significance, with what is accepted as one of the finest medieval kitchens in Europe and a museum which tells the abbey's stories, spanning its long history.

From March 1 the abbey will begin its Spring opening hours between 10am and 5pm, and from May 1 its opening will extend by an hour by closing at 6pm, every day, throughout the summer.

Tickets can be bought at the ticket office or online, where you can find more information about prices and planned activities: www.glastonburyabbey.com.

Membership of the abbey, for as little as less than £1 per week, can also be bought online, with its Membership Plus scheme giving you free access, family day tickets and free tickets at selected events.