Buckfastleigh

Buckfastleigh is a town in Dartmoor, Devon just inside the Dartmoor National Park.

Buckfast Abbey

Understand

Local information

• Buckfastleigh Town Council website

Get in

Follow the A38 taking the Dart Bridge Exit for Buckhurst Abbey.

See

1 Buckfast Abbey. Buckfast Abbey forms part of an active Benedictine monastery at Buckfastleigh, Devon, England. Dedicated to Saint Mary, it was founded in 1018 and run by the Cistercian order from 1147 until it was destroyed under the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In 1882 monks began living there again, and today it is a Benedictine foundation.  

2 Valiant Soldier, 79 Fore St, TQ11 0BS, ☏ +44 1364 644 522, info@valiantsoldier.org.uk. W-Sa 11:30-4PM. A pub that became a museum. (updated Oct 2020)

Do

1 Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary, Station House, Dart Bridge Rd, TQ11 0DZ, ☏ +44 1364 642 916. 10:30AM-5PM (closed M). £9 Adult £7 Children. (updated Jul 2021)

2 Reeds Cave, 10 Russets Ln, TQ11 0DY (in Higher Kiln Quarry). (updated Jul 2021)

3 South Devon Railway, TQ11 0DZ. Daily Apr - Oct, and some other days 4 or more trains per day. A 7-mile steam railway to Totnes. £19 return, £24 day ticket. (updated Sep 2024)

Eat

Fore Street

1 Singing Kettle, 54 Fore St, TQ11 0BS, ☏ +44 1364 642 383. (updated Jul 2021)

2 The Riverford Field Kitchen, Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0LD (Coming from Exeter or Plymouth: Come off the A38 at Buckfastleigh and take the A384 for Totnes. The Dartbridge Inn is on your left. Take the third exit on the left (after approximately 1.5 miles). In advance look for a black lorry sign, which says 'Riverford Organics'. The junction itself, which comes soon after a sharp left hand bend, is marked Landscove and Woolston Green. Turn left and continue along this road for approximately half a mile. You will pass two cottages on your left and then an entrance to a green lane. Take the next turning left down the concrete drive to the farm car park on the right.), ☏ +44 1803 227391. Vegetable centric seasonal menu using produce from the farm. Reservation is required. Prices per person are: £24 for brunch, £34 for lunch, £37 for supper. Children aged 4-12 years are half price, and infants aged 3 and under eat free of charge. (updated Oct 2024)

Drink

Buckfast Tonic Wine. A strong tonic wine which the monks began making (to a French recipe) in the 1890s. Made by the monks of Buckfast Abbey 

1 The Globe Inn, 123 Plymouth Rd, TQ11 0DA, ☏ +44 1364 642 223. (updated Oct 2020)

2 The Kings Arms, 15 Fore St, TQ11 0BT, ☏ +44 1364 643 432. W Th F 4-11PM, Sa Su noon-11PM. (updated Oct 2020)

Sleep

1 Abbey Inn, 30 Buckfast Road, TQ11 OEA (Follow signs for Buckfast Abbey from A38 Devon Expressway), ☏ +44 1364 642 343, abbeyinn@outlook.com. Check-in: 2-11PM, check-out: 10AM. Riverside inn with 9 rooms. Canoeing and fishing offered as activities. Free wifi. Single room £75/night; double and twin rooms £75-82/night. (updated Apr 2016)

2 Dartbridge Inn, Totnes Road, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0JR (Just off the A38 Devon Expressway), ☏ +44 845 6086040, Dartbridge.Buckfastleigh@greeneking.co.uk. Check-in: Until midnight. 7 double and 3 twin rooms in a characterful Devonshire inn. Dogs welcome. From £65/night. (updated Apr 2016)

3 Furzeleigh Mill, Dartbridge, Old Ashburton Road, TQ11 0JP, ☏ +44 1364 643476, enquiries@furzeleigh.co.uk. 16th-century corn mill, now a 14-bedroom, 3-star hotel. £59-99/night. (updated Apr 2016)

4 Kilbury Manor, Colston Rd, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0LN, ☏ +44 1364 644079. Charming B&B in 17th-century farmstead. No children under 9 or dogs. B&B double £80. (updated Aug 2020)

5 Northgate House Hotel, Buckfast Abbey, TQ11 0EJ, ☏ +44 1364 645 630, accommodation@buckfast.org.uk. Check-in: 4:30PM-midnight, check-out: 10:30AM. £55-103 double room. (updated Oct 2020)

Connect

As of Sep 2023, Buckfastleigh and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers, and you might get 5G from Three.

Cope

1 Public Toilets, Victoria Woodholme Car Park, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DB. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

• East to Totnes, Torquay and Paignton
• West to Princetown and Tavistock
• North on to Dartmoor and the villages of Buckland-in-the-Moor and Widecombe in the Moor
• North to Ashburton
• Northeast to Newton Abbot

Routes through Buckfastleigh

Plymouth ← Ivybridge ←

SW  NE

→ Ashburton → Exeter