Buckfast Abbey
An abbey rebuilt by Benedictine monks with their own hands, featuring a magnificent church, stained glass and herb gardens, and known for the monks' tonic wine and honey.
Buckfast Abbey was founded in 1018 and destroyed during the Reformation. In 1882 Benedictine monks returned to the site. Between 1907 and 1938, with only a small group of monks, they rebuilt this Norman-Gothic abbey church largely by hand. The stained glass in the church (the modern glass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel is especially fine) and the mosaic floors are worth a close look. The grounds include a herb garden, a sensory garden and a lavender garden. Entry is free. The abbey shop sells honey produced by the monks, Buckfast tonic wine and more. Nearby is Buckfastleigh, the starting point of the Dart Valley's steam trains.
Opening hours
About 9:00 am–5:00 pm (quiet during church services)
Nearby sights
- Haytor Rocks
- Widecombe-in-the-Moor
- Hound Tor
- Dartmeet
- Becky Falls
- Grimspound
- Bellever Forest & Tor
- Postbridge Clapper Bridge