Buckfast Abbey
Following the death of Abbot Anscar, the community elected Fr. Bruno Fehrenbacher is its new abbot. Still by this time, most of the community were German born, though during the 1920s the Abbey had begun to attract new members from the British Isles. The harmony enjoyed by this increasingly international group of men contrasted sharply with the deteriorating situation in Europe as a whole.
Stability, continuity and response to the spiritual needs of the monks and those who visit them have been objectives of the Benedictines since their origins in Italy 1500 years ago. ‘History’ tells us of changes and developments, but underlying all the developments at Buckfast is the enduring routine of prayer, work and study which is in essence unchanging. It is the occupation of the monks of Buckfast today, as it was of their forebears in the eleventh century and as it has been for all the monks who have lived here throughout the centuries in between.
GARDENS AT BUCK FAST
The gardens of Buckfast Abbey provide a pleasant environment for visitors and monks alike.
The lavender garden contains some 150 varieties of the species, illustrating the diversity of size, colour and shape within the lavender genus.
The sensory garden is based on designs for medieval pleasure gardens and is intended to stimulate the senses of sight, smell, hearing and touch. The sound of trickling water and the fragrant flowers make it a peaceful, yet inspiring, corner of the grounds.
The physic garden is divided into four sections which together feature some two hundred plants used by monks in the middle ages for many different purposes. The visitor can thus learn some, perhaps surprising, facts about the type of plant used for culinary, household, and medicinal purposes.
A fourth section, separated from the observer by a small moat, exhibits poisonous plants. Among the different varieties of foliage, flower and fruit, one can see that onion and garlic were used for flavouring and as antibiotics, while the herb woodruff was employed in the flavouring of liqueurs, wine and sorbets.
To the east of the Abbey Church is a private area in which the monks can appreciate the sights and sounds of the beautiful land on which they are so fortunate to live, and beyond the bank of trees lies the Abbey’s farm, covering some 300 acres and given over mostly to arable crops and grass for animals to graze on.
VISITORS INFRMATION:
Sundays: Noon to 6 p.m.
Weekdays: 9 a.m. (Fridays 10 a.m.) to 6 p.m.
Gift Shop and Book Shop
Sundays: Noon to 5 p.m.
Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (winter close 5pm)
Monastic Produce Shop
Sundays: Noon to 5.00 p.m.
Weekdays 9.30 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
Grange Restaurant
Sundays: 10.00am to 4.30 p.m.
Weekdays 10.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (winter close 4pm)
GRANGE RESTAURANT RE-OPENED
The Grange Restaurant re-opened on Friday 21st May 2010.
Parking at the Abbey is free of charge for all vehicles.
An attendant is on hand at the busier times of the year to give information, directions and other assistance.
Buckfast Abbey,
Buckfastleigh,
Devon
TQ11 0EE
EVENTS
What's So Amazing About Grace?
Wednesday 1st,3rd,7th,8th September 2010, 19:45
Spectacular Open Air Theatre Production at Buckfast Abbey
Beekeeping Taster Course
Tuesday 7th,21st September 2010, 10:30
A One Day course for people considering beekeeping.
Diocesan retreat - Southgate
Sunday 3rd October 19th November 2010, 16:00
Held at Buckfast Abbey and led by members of the Plymouth Diocesan Ignatian Spirituality Team…
Concert - Counterpoint
Saturday 16th October 2010, 19:30
'Handel's journey from Italy to England'....
Concert - Voces
Saturday 20th November 2010, 19:30
Renaissance choral music (programme to be announced)
Events in December 2010
Concert - Ashburton Singers
Saturday 4th December 2010, 19:30
Seasonal music, both choral and instrumental, of the French Baroque....
Advent Carol Concert - West Devon Chorale
Saturday 11th December 2010, 19:15
An evening of music for the Christmas season.....