Buckfast

Dominating this small market town is Buckfast Abbey, a Benedictine monastery built in the Norman and Gothic style between 1907 and 1938. If you’ve ever wondered how many people it takes to construct an abbey, the astonishing answer at Buckfast is just six. Only one of the monks, Brother Peter, had any knowledge of building so he had to check every stone that went into the fabric. A photographic exhibition at the abbey records the painstaking process that stretched over 30 years. Another monk, Brother Adam, became celebrated as the bee-keeper whose busy charges produced the renowned Buckfast Abbey honey. The abbey gift shop also sells the famous Buckfast Tonic Wine, recordings of the abbey choristers and a wide range of religious items, pottery, cards and gifts. Nearby is an exhibition detailing the process of making the stained glass produced by the monks. The grounds contain Physic, Sensory and Lavender areas, which provide a peaceful and often colourful setting.