Buckland Abbey

Buckland Abbey is a significant historical site located in Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton, Devon, England. Originally established as a Cistercian abbey in 1278 by Amicia, Countess of Devon, it was one of the last Cistercian foundations in England and the most westerly. The abbey received a substantial initial endowment, covering over 20,000 acres, and was granted a market and fair, along with a license to fortify its premises.

Monastic Life and Dissolution

The monastic church, unusually simple for its time and lacking aisles, has much of its structure integrated into the present house. The monks' living quarters were situated around a cloister to the north of the church, though these have largely disappeared. A notable survival from the monastic period is the 15th-century Tithe Barn, an impressive structure measuring 180 feet in length. Buckland Abbey remained an active monastic community until the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. In 1539, the abbey was suppressed, with Abbot John Toker receiving a pension and the remaining twelve monks being dispersed.

Post-Monastic Conversion and Ownership

Following its dissolution, Buckland Abbey was sold by Henry VIII to Sir Richard Grenville the Elder in 1541. He and his son, Sir Roger Grenville, began converting the abbey into a residence, renaming it Buckland Greynvile or Grenville. Sir Richard Grenville the Younger completed this conversion in 1575–76. In 1581, the property was sold to intermediaries acting for Sir Francis Drake, whom the Grenvilles reportedly despised. Drake resided at Buckland for 15 years, and the house remained in his family's possession for many years. Subsequent alterations were made in the late 18th century and after a fire in 1915, with further damage from another fire in 1938.

Buckland Abbey Today

Acquired by the National Trust in 1947, Buckland Abbey underwent restoration between 1948 and 1951. Since 1951, it has been open to the public, operated by the National Trust with assistance from Plymouth City Council. The site now houses part of the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery's collection, famously including 'Drake's Drum'. Independent craft workshops are situated in converted ox sheds, and the grounds feature a wild garden, a kitchen garden, and a medieval Great Barn. The property also hosts the National Trust Costume Group, dedicated to creating authentic historical attire.