Buckfast Abbey

The first thing that hits you at Buckfast Abbey is the sheer scale of the place. This working Benedictine monastery rises out of the Devon countryside near South Brent like something from another era - because in many ways, it is. The monks rebuilt the entire abbey from scratch in the early 1900s, which sounds mad until you realise they did it largely by hand, stone by stone, over several decades.

You can wander through the abbey church itself, which is genuinely impressive inside - all soaring arches and stained glass that actually stops you mid-step. The cloisters are peaceful in that way only monasteries manage, and there's a proper sense that this is a working community, not just a museum piece. The monks still live here, still pray here, and you're essentially visiting their home.

It's free to walk around the main areas, though donations are expected and reasonable. Allow a good hour if you're taking it seriously, longer if you're the type to sit quietly for twenty minutes. History enthusiasts will get the most from it - there's real substance here, not just pretty architecture. Families with younger kids might find it a bit static; older children interested in medieval life will be gripped.

The abbey sits well within a Dartmoor holiday. Ashbourne Woods is only 3.6 miles away, making it a straightforward half-day visit alongside other moorland exploration. South Brent itself is tiny, so you're really here for the abbey and the landscape surrounding it.