Buckfast
Abbey is home to a community of Benedictine monks. But it's also a
place where people can visit to enjoy the peace and tranquility of
the Abbey and its gardens.
Buckfast
Abbey has had its ups and downs in a history dating back almost a
thousand years.
The Abbey, on the south eastern edge of Dartmoor, was established
as a Benedictine monastery in 1018.
It joined the Cistercian Order in the 12th century, and was a thriving
community until Henry VIII came along.
The dissolution of the monasteries in 1539 saw Buckfast Abbey closed
down, and everything of value was removed.
During the following centuries, the building was entirely lost - except
the foundations.
Then, in 1882, the site went on the market and was bought by a group
of monks. So, after a gap of 343 years, they had returned 'home' -
albeit the home was no longer there!
It
took over 30 years to rebuild the Abbey
However,
the Abbey was rebuilt based on the Cistercian style of the 12th century.
It took over 30 years to complete the work between 1907 and 1938.
Today, the Abbey is again a busy community where the monks live and
work. It also attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Major improvements carried out in recent years include enhancements
to the gardens,
which are open to the public.
The emphasis at the three gardens - lavender, sensory and physic -
is on providing a place for peace and contemplation.
The lavender garden boasts many types of sweet smelling lavender,
and at high summer, it's full of bees and butterflies.
The
chamomile seat in the sensory garden
The sensory
garden is based on designs from medieval pleasure gardens and is an
area for quiet reflection.
It features a chamomile seat, which is surrounded by a honeysuckle
and white rose covered trellis.
And, right beside the Abbey itself is the physic garden, full of more
than 200 plants which would have been grown in a monastic herb garden.
All would have been available and used before 1539, when the Abbey
was dissolved.
There are four sections in this garden - household, culinary, medicinal
and poisonous (this bit is at a safe distance on an island in the
middle of a pond!).
Fruit is also grown over the arbour. Again, these would have been
grown at monasteries in the pre-dissolution years.
The Abbey is a stunning building - inside and out, and no visit is
complete without viewing the amazing stained glass window depicting
Jesus at the Last Supper.
The public are encouraged to enjoy a tour inside the Abbey, but must
be dressed appropriately and respect the request for quiet.
*Admission to the Abbey and gardens is free, as is the car park. There
are facilities for people with wheelchairs, and access is excellent.
There is also a restaurant on site.
Each week BBC Radio Devon records a 
Listen to BBC Radio Devon's Sunday service - recorded in a different
religious community each week.