Buckfast Abbey
Buckfast Abbey things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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We've passed by on many an occasion on route to Plymouth, but my diary has never yet yielded the time to visit Buckfast Abbey until today. We arrived about 10 minutes before the gardens and shop opened and found the disabled parking easily accessible right outside the main gate. We made our way in, there was no charge for entry unlike some ecclesiastical establishments, there is a suggested donation minimum of £2 instead. Once inside the gatehouse, you are greeted by the fantastic vista of the wide-open green spaces and the domineering presence of the church. We made our way down the gentle slope towards what I called the lavender garden as it was full of English and ornamental lavender plants, where we stopped to take a few images of the church before many people could photobomb themselves in (unknowingly). Inside the church was just amazing, we were the only people in there and we were able to walk around in total silence and take our time to explore. We both marvelled at the huge organ at the rear of the church, with what looked like trumpets pointing out. Don't forget to look up.... or you'll miss the totally awesome gold mural/painting in the middle of the church (I've included an image here). Facilities wise, the restaurant was busy changing over from breakfast to lunch menu when we arrived, there were some pastry products available and a nice selection of sandwiches and rolls. The toilets were lovely and clean, the disabled facilities were easy to access and immaculate, I did like the automatic courtesy air spray as I entered, nice touch. On the way out we had to pass the shop, so it would be rude not to pop in and check out the wares, which I must say were very reasonable. We bought some pewter stag head pins for only £32.99. If you enjoy the peace and quiet and nothing but the sound of songbirds, then this is definitely the place for you to visit. We really enjoyed our morning visit and hope to return when my diary allows.
Lord ParkerLord Parker
220
Stunning grounds and buildings reborn some three hundred years post Henry VIII's dissolution. There is a calmness and serenity here, and the world's problems appear to dissolve. They of course don't, and the monks have a hand in providing various philanthropic activities and support, both locally and internationally. My favourite parts of the abbey are the upstairs veranda of the coffee shop nearest the conference centre, giving a wonderful view of the grounds; the herb garden including the pond with advanced tadpoles swimming, not far off losing their tails; the modern stained glass image of Christ in the church itself: It was moving and humbling to be in its presence. Dogs are welcomed throughout the grounds, but are barred from the buildings, apart from assistance dogs. You are welcomed onto the grass, with a variety of signs telling of this fact. Good parking, and most areas are accessible by wheelchair (I can't vouch for all) and there are wheelchair lifts in buildings to access the higher levels. Food looks gorgeous in the cafes! Well stocked shop, with some great finds, including books, and beeswax candles from the bee hives they attend. Overall, a very wonderful day spent here, one I wish to repeat in the not too distant future!
Ian HemmensIan Hemmens
50
This was our first visit as a family and we made the trip as there was a children's book festival that included storytelling, meet the authors and book signing, the kids loved it. Car parking is free and so is access to the gardens and the Abbey all of which are wheelchair and buggy friendly. At the entrance is a newly built museum that touches on the history of Buckfast Abbey and it is not what you expect, very modern and interactive and kept the little ones engaged way longer than we thought. As you would expect the place is immaculate and well maintained, it was summer and the grounds looked and smelt lovely with all the flowers out in bloom There are plenty of places to have a picnic or a restaurant is on site. The highlight is the Abbey itself which is amazing, not an ancient building but completed only 30 years ago, it does have a very light modern feeling about it and you'll probably have a sore neck when you leave after trying to look at all the detail in the ceiling. Overall a fantastic place to visit and we spent a good 3-4 hours looking around.
Richard AldcroftRichard Aldcroft
00
Pretty interesting place, immaculately looked after and rather unique. The Abbey is a mish mash of buildings, green space, parking and gardens. On site is a free car park, well laid out with a lot of room including for coaches. The grounds are immaculate, large lawns surround the buildings which you are actively asked to walk on. There are gardens, at least 3 I counted, including a physic garden with medicinal herbs, a delightful sensory garden that, well, delights the senses like for example a tinkling fountain, scented rose garden etc, all immaculate. And a lavender garden. The buildings include a museum which you can pay to enter, toilets, cafe, shop, conference centre etc. The most obvious focal point is the church, modern by most standards as in built in the last century or two an unique even though the original abbey was over 900 years older. Built of stone and brick it is striking and contrasts starkly with the abbey buildings that surround it. A wonderful place to stop and look around for a while.
RikRik
00
A beautiful abbey church by Frederick Walters who was also behind the church at Ealing Abbey. Built on the footprint of the original monastery dissolved by Henry VIII in the 1530s. The current church was built by the returning monks including french and German. And completed just prior to the Second World War. The church indicates how a monastic church would like the sanctuary, quire and public space. The lady chapel statute of Our Lady of Buckfast is the reconstituted image of that destroyed in the reformation. On the south side chapel the hair shirt of St Thomas More is preserved. The grounds are extensive and includes a farm, the wine and beer factory and the Buckfast bees. Between the conference centre and abbey church are three gardens, physic, sensory and millennium. There is also a very nice pizzeria, a monastic interpretation centre on the history and life of the monks at Buckfast. A beautiful church in a beautiful place just by the Dartmoor national park.
Christopher J KeeffeChristopher J Keeffe
10
Well wife and I visited this ancient monastery 1018 or thereabouts. Beautiful buildings, and grounds. Immaculately kept by the working monks. In one of the buildings is some high tech equipment allowing you to read virtual scrpts and the principles of their life. There is a quiet chapel for relaxing and contemplating ad well. As it's a working monastery, they do organ recitals, hyms, music and chiors. The restaurant is a decent size serving some fabulous home made food and cakes. There is also a shop selling beers made by various monasteries around Europe and their own Buckfast tonic wine. They do for a small fee, around £3.00 each, guides on bee keeping, gardening different plants, etc. Plenty of free parking and toilet facilities. A beautiful place to spend the day. Interesting and peaceful. Highly recommend visiting. We loved it.
John HukeJohn Huke
10
Nearby Attractions Of Buckfast Abbey
Pridhamsleigh Cavern
Pridhamsleigh Cavern
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Nearby Restaurants Of Buckfast Abbey
The Grange Restaurant
San Benedetto's Pizzeria
The Grange Restaurant
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San Benedetto's Pizzeria
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Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIBasic Info
Address
Buckfastleigh TQ11 0EE, United Kingdom
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Phone
+44 1364 645500
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Website
buckfast.org.uk
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Reviews
Overview
4.7
(1.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
relaxation
family friendly
Description
Buckfast Abbey forms part of an active Benedictine monastery at Buckfast, near Buckfastleigh, Devon, England. Buckfast first became home to an abbey in 1018. The first Benedictine abbey was followed by a Savignac, later Cistercian, abbey constructed on the site of the current abbey in 1134.
attractions: Pridhamsleigh Cavern, restaurants: The Grange Restaurant, San Benedetto's Pizzeria
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