Buckland Abbey, Cistercian monastery in Devon, England
Buckland Abbey is a former monastery in Devon with medieval stone structures later rebuilt during the Tudor period and now functioning as a historic house. The site includes the medieval barn, rooms throughout the residence, and expansive gardens bordered by woodland paths.
The monastery was founded in 1278 and housed monks until King Henry VIII closed it during the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539. After this, the site changed purpose and became a private residence.
The house holds art collections gathered from Plymouth galleries, displayed across several rooms to show the region's artistic heritage. Visitors encounter original pieces that connect the local history with creative traditions developed over centuries.
The property is managed by the National Trust and offers accessible entrances to main areas, though some rooms have narrow stairs. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow time to explore both the indoor spaces and the gardens.
The site is closely tied to Sir Francis Drake, the English seafarer who used the property as his home base. This connection to the historical explorer makes it particularly meaningful for visitors interested in maritime history.
Location: Buckland Monachorum
Inception: 1278
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Part of: National Trust
Address: Yelverton, Devon, PL20 6EY
Website: https://nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
GPS coordinates: 50.48130,-4.13353
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
Devon combines historical sites and natural landscapes across a region in southwest England. The area extends from moorlands in Dartmoor National Park to cliffs along the Bristol Channel and English Channel coasts. Visitors find Norman castle ruins like Totnes Castle and Okehampton Castle, Georgian manor houses such as Saltram House, medieval villages, and monastery sites like Buckland Abbey. The landscape appears in forms of granite formations, waterfalls, remote beaches, and ancient woodlands. Places include Wistman's Wood with its gnarled oak trees, the rock formations at Valley of the Rocks near Lynton, the historic fishing village of Clovelly with its steep streets, and the sandy beaches at Bantham and Mothercombe. Speke's Mill Mouth Waterfall drops directly into the sea, while Blackchurch Rock stands as a coastal formation. Gardens like RHS Garden Rosemoor display botanical collections, and industrial sites such as the water-powered Finch Foundry or the Dartmouth Steam Railway document past working environments. Beer Quarry Caves offer views into historic underground stone quarrying.
Maristow House
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Lopwell
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Church of St Andrew
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The Who'D Have Thought It Inn
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Knightstone Tea Rooms
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Church of the Holy Spirit
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Buckland Monachorum War Memorial
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Denham Bridge
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Drake Manor Inn
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Stair Tower Approximately 52 Metres North North West Of Barn (Old Kitchen)
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Guide Post At Sx 459681
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Tower And Adjoining Outbuilding Approximately 40 Metres To North Of Buckland Abbey
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Tithe Barn directly to east of Buckland Abbey
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Place Barton House
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Calf Pens Directly To North-West Of The Infirmary
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Milestone At Sx 460 687
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Gate Piers And Adjoining Wall To South-South-East Approximately 20 Metres To South-East Of Buckland Abbey
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Linhay Approximately 20 Metres East Of Tithe Barn
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Hatch Mill
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Berrator Farmhouse
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Milestone, 50m SE of where track from Maristow crosses Watery Lane
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Milestone, 250m inside the Estate, beside road/track
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The Infirmary
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Guidestone, Tavistock Cross, E of Bere Alston, at fork in road
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Guidestone, fork where road leaves for Bere Ferrers & Calstock
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Milestone, off track leading from Lower Lodge into the estate, 10m NE the track gate
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Guidestone, Tavistock Cross, E side of fork to Denhambridge
3 kmReviews
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