In discussing the view that pilgrimage to sacred sites is a form of tourism, there are a few terms that require definition: pilgrimage, sacred, and tourism. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED, 2012) defines pilgrimage as “a journey undertaken to a place of particular significance or interest”. It is usually an act of religious devotion, homage and respect and those on pilgrimage are called pilgrims. Waterhouse (2009, p199) defines religion as “a system of practices, institutions and beliefs that give meaning to life and death”. Waterhouse's definition includes not only the five main religions but also the various subdivisions and alternative religions. Tourism is defined by the OED (2012) as “the theory and practice of tourism, travel for pleasure” and therefore a person on tour is defined as a tourist. The Oxford English Dictionary (2012) defines sacred as “dedicated, set apart, assigned exclusively to some person or to some special purpose.” This essay will discuss the idea that pilgrimage to sacred sites is a form of tourism by outlining the debates surrounding the sacred sites and between different factions. The essay will then apply these arguments and ideas to Stonehenge and Avebury. Associations of pilgrimage and tourism within ideologies surrounding leisure and their application to Glastonbury will also be examined. The definition of sacred as a place separate from the secular world has different connotations and meanings for different individuals and groups. The main academic discussion is between the idea that the site is intrinsically sacred or that it is the product of human effort. Eliade (1961) argues that the 'manifestation of something of an entirely different order, a reality which does not belong to our world in objects which...... middle of paper......ty, pp.10- 34Pike , J. (2008), 'Leisure, Laziness and feeling good', in Brunton, D. (ed.), Place and Leisure AA100 Book 4, Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp.3-10Reader, I. (2012 ), “Pilgrims and Pilgrimage: place and Journey in Cultures and Faiths Worldwide”, available at http://www.york.ac.uk/projects/pilgrimage/content/faiths.html accessed 5/11/12'Sacred Space and Landscape' (2008) (aa100DVD Video), Milton Keynes, The Open UniversityThe Open University (2008), AA100 Illustration Book (Plates for Books 3 and 4), Milton Keynes, The Open University.Waterhouse , H. (2009) , 'The Dalai Lama', in Moohan, E (ed.), Reputations AA100 Book 1, Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp.197-229Wolffe, J. (2008), 'Tradition and Dissent in English Christianity' in Price, C (ed.), Tradition and dissent AA100 Book 2, Milton Keynes, The Open University, pp71-106