Buckland Abbey

Buckland Abbey The former home of Devon's most famous sailor, Sir Francis Drake, Buckland was originally a secluded Cistercian monastery before its conversion into a house by Sir Richard Grenville of the Revenge. Its period rooms and lively exhibitions now tell the stories of its chequered past, from the Abbey via the Armada to the extensive agricultural estate. The uniquely converted house has fine Tudor and modern plasterwork in the Great Hall and Drake Chamber.
The estate features a magnificent monastic barn, independent craft workshops and miles of delightful walks through the peaceful wooded valley of the River Tavy.
Buckland Abbey founded 700 years ago by Cistercian monks Buckland Abbey was already an historic building when Sir Francis Drake moved in during the 16th century.

The garden at Buckand Abbey is a tranquil spot and it is not hard to imagine that Cistercian monks once walked here hundreds of years ago. But, in fact, the garden is largely a twentieth century creation. The planting around the Abbey's lawns is an informal mix of eucryphia, camellia, azalea, rhododendron and acer with some more unusual plants.

Evidence from historical sources was the inspiration for the design for this evolving garden, which includes features such as a circular pool, granite steps and topiary bushes, box-edged beds containing examples of plants that would have been grown in Tudor times, a grassy meadow and a small orchard planted with old fruit varieties. Between the Elizabethan garden and the wall of the Great Barn are three galvanised wire sculptures of sheep, a reminder of the flocks farmed by the Cistercian monks at Buckland. Other sculptures can be found throughout the grounds and estate walks.