Whether it's a woodland adventure, an amazing story of life on the high seas or a tasty treat from the cafe, there's something for all the family to enjoy at Buckland Abbey this Christmas.
Your visit at a glance
To find Buckland Abbey, follow brown tourist signs from the A386 Plymouth - Tavistock road. Do not follow sat nav.
There is a free car park with accessible spaces around 150 yards from Visitor Welcome. There is usually a buggy service operating between the car park and Abbey buildings.
Members and under 5s enter free of charge.
Dogs on leads are welcome in all areas except the house and the Kitchen Garden.
Phone reception is poor in most areas, but you should find a signal up at the car park.
You'll find baby changing facilities alongside the accessible toilet in the courtyard outside Visitor Welcome, and the toilet in the Ox Yard.
We welcome breastfeeding everywhere at Buckland Abbey. If there is anything you need such as a quiet space or hot water for bottle warming, please speak to a member of staff.
High chairs and children's pick and mix lunches are available in the cafe, along with ice creams, cakes, snacks and hot lunches.
In the shop, you'll find a great selection of pocket money gifts, books, toys and sweets. You can also get your National Trust passport stamped here!
The shop and cafe are both accessible for buggies.
You will be invited to leave buggies, large bags and baby carriers with the volunteer at the entrance door. There are a lot of stairs in the house, please ask the volunteer on the door if you would find it easier to be shown an adjusted route.
If you prefer a quieter environment, the best times in the Abbey are at the beginning and end of the day. Sound reducing headphones are available to borrow at the entrance door of the house and Visitor Welcome.
Some rooms have items in them which you can touch - please ask a volunteer guide or look out for the blue tablecloths.
Costumes are available to try on in the Lifetimes gallery at the top of the house.
During school holidays, look out for free trails around the Abbey. Visitor Welcome will provide you with any trail sheets or information you may need.
There are seats you may use in every room in the house - please avoid sitting in any chairs with scrolls placed on the seat.
There's plenty to see and do in the garden and on the estate all year round, with trails during the school holidays. Visitor Welcome will give you all the information you need about what's happening on the day of your visit.
Please ask at Visitor Welcome to discover the step free routes around the garden - be aware that most paths are gravelled or slightly uneven with slopes.
Some parts of the yellow estate route (approximately 1 mile) are suitable for robust pushchairs.
The natural play area is not accessible for buggies - we'd recommend that you use a baby carrier instead.
We have a Tramper and wheelchairs available to hire should anyone in your party require them - please call us on 01822 856045 for more information.
You're welcome to picnic in the gardens or on the estate. You'll find benches dotted around or you can bring a blanket to find your own special spot. Please remember to take all rubbish away with you.
Step into the Great Barn and into a forest of trees which will transport you into the story of King Arthur.
You'll be surrounded by beautiful twinkling trees where you can listen to the story of Gawain and the Green Knight before you step forward to see a wicker sculpture of the battle itself!
Be sure not to miss the tallest tree at the end of the Barn where you will see the mythical Excalibur surrounded by stars.
The Abbey has been filled with more legendary Christmas delights from Merlin’s Apothecary to Guinevere’s chamber, each room will be filled with festive sparkle and an opportunity to acquaint yourself with characters from the mythical stories of King Arthur.
29 November, 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm.
Join local artist Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops to hand print your own Christmas gift wrap with festive lino blocks. There will be a wide selection of designs to choose from, all hand carved by Grace. You will be using water-based inks to create beautifully decorative wrapping paper. Each participant will get to take away their sheet of gift wrap ready for Christmas.
Suitable for ages 4 - 16. All children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the session. Please bring an apron or wear old clothes as the inks can get messy.
£9 per child. Booking essential. All materials included.
The play area at the start of the red walk on Buckland's estate is a fantastic place for little adventurers to explore and let off steam.
Complete with stepping stones, balance beams, climbing logs and much more, all of the timber used in creating this playground was reclaimed from fallen trees on the estate, and crafted by the Ranger staff and volunteers.
Why not bring a picnic too?
The area can be used by children of all ages, although little ones might need a bit of help with some of the equipment and we would ask that children are never left unsupervised.
It's a bit tricky getting a buggy to the play area, so you might prefer to bring a baby carrier if you're planning to head up there on your visit, and please be aware that the nearest facilities are back at the main property.
50 things to do before you're 11 3/4
Here are some of the activities you might be able to complete at Buckland Abbey. Have you ticked any more off the list?
There are thousands of trees on the estate, including some awesome oaks, beautiful beeches and fabulous firs. Can you guess how old some of them might be, and imagine what stories they could tell?
The woodland at Buckland is home to all kinds of wonderful wildlife. Can you look for footprints and listen for calls? Maybe if you are very lucky you'll even spot some of the beautiful animals and birds yourself.
Now you've had an adventure, why not record your discoveries in a special notebook? You could draw what you have seen and heard, maybe even find a special leaf or stick to remind yourself of your amazing day?
1 of 4
Discover more at Buckland Abbey
Find out when Buckland Abbey is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Explore the abbey which is part museum, part house, and filled with treasures. Step inside the medieval Great Barn: a tithe barn unchanged since it was built centuries ago.
Discover Buckland's ancient woodland on one of three colour coded routes. With abundant wildlife and far reaching views, it's a peaceful and fascinating place to enjoy.
Buckland Abbey is a two pawprint rated place. There are plenty of dog-friendly walks through the woodland and countryside to explore and dogs are welcome to relax in the Ox Yard Café.
From beautiful blooms to bountiful harvests, the gardens at Buckland Abbey are full of colour and seasonal interest. Soak up the history of this special place as you admire the planting, or simply enjoy the peace and tranquillity as you sit a while on one of the benches.
