Day 4: Buckfast Abbey

Our journey of only 21kms from our home base transported us several centuries back in time to Buckfast Abbey.

Green open grounds where you are invited, rather than forbidden, to walk on the grass set the scene for our visit to Buckfast Abbey. Situated in a picturesque valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park it is the home of a small community of Benedictine Monks.

Such a peaceful place, that Rich & Gwen will often take a picnic to, it also has a cafe and some artisan shops. Surprisingly, there is a Methodist Church in the grounds!

The history of Buckfast Abbey dates back to King Cnut in 1016 and has waxed and waned over the various Kings and Queens since and makes for interesting reading if you click the link above.

It is famous today for Buckfast Tonic and my little bit of research suggests it may well have been the forerunner of today’s energy drinks, with enough caffeine in a bottle to equal eight or nine cans of coke!

The abbey itself is quite beautiful and a new chapel at the rear has the most stunning wall of stained glass.

There’s also a small chapel housing the remnants of the hair shirt worn by Saint Thomas More, who was a councillor to Henry VIII and Lord High Chancellor of England 1529 to 1532. He opposed the king’s separation from the Catholic Church and the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, was convicted of treason and beheaded for his beliefs in 1535.

It’s hard to comprehend the vast history of this country but I’m going to soak it all up while I’m here and share it with you. I hope you come along for the ride. 🙂