Sitting within the low-lying Somerset levels, a landscape only just above sea level, the land around Glastonbury is naturally prone to flooding. Much of this area was historically marsh and wetland, with rivers such as the River Brue and River Axe draining slowly across flat ground with very little gradient. During periods of heavy rain, especially in winter, water has nowhere to go quickly and can spread out across fields and roads. The problem is compounded by high groundwater levels, tidal influences from the nearby Bristol Channel, and the reliance on man-made drainage systems, which can become overwhelmed.
