A working Benedictine monastery in Devon that rose from medieval ruins. French monks rebuilt the abbey in the late 19th century, constructing a new church on the footprint of its Cistercian predecessor.
At a glance
Buckfast Abbey is an active monastery near Buckfastleigh in Devon, England, home to a Benedictine community of 13 monks as of 2020. The site has hosted religious communities for over a thousand years, though the present structures largely date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
History
The site first became monastic around 1018. A Savignac abbey was founded in 1134, which later came under Cistercian rule. The monastery survived until the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when it was largely demolished in 1539.
For over three centuries the site lay dormant. In 1882, French Benedictines purchased the property and refounded a monastery. Buckfast was formally reinstated as an abbey in 1902. Construction of a new abbey church began in 1907 and was completed in 1938. The community joined the English Benedictine Congregation in 1960.
What you see
The abbey church was built mostly on the footprint of the former Cistercian abbey, marrying medieval lines with 20th-century construction. New monastic buildings incorporate surviving Gothic elements from the earlier periods. The result is a composite landscape where different eras of monastic architecture exist in conversation.
Cultural significance
Buckfast represents a rare English example of successful monastic revival. After centuries of abandonment following the Reformation, the Benedictine return created a living community on a site that bridges medieval Christianity with modern monastic practice. The abbey remains a functioning religious house and a tangible expression of continuous spiritual life.
Key facts
- Founded as a monastery around 1018; Savignac abbey established 1134
- Dissolved 1539; refounded by French Benedictines 1882
- Abbey church constructed 1907–1938
- Formally reinstated as abbey 1902; joined English Benedictine Congregation 1960
- Current community: 13 monks (as of 2020)
- Location: Buckfastleigh, Devon, England (50.49°N, 3.78°W)
Practical information & getting there
The abbey is located near Buckfastleigh in south Devon. As an active monastery, visiting hours and access may be limited; contact the community directly for current information. The site remains a working spiritual community rather than a heritage site open at all hours.
Sources & resources
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