Hartland Abbey

Welcome to our Hartland Abbey . Every penny spent by visitors, after the dreaded VAT,  goes into the maintenance of the house and gardens and to employing the wonderful people so vital to its upkeep and to those who look after our visitors. We hope you will visit us in this special, remote corner of North Devon overlooking Lundy Island! Don’t miss a visit to stunning Hartland Quay too, just a mile away.

For fans of Enid Blyton’s ‘Malory Towers’ Hartland Abbey IS ‘Malory Towers’ with Series 5 just released in June 2024 on BBC IPlayer and CBBC. Followers of Darrell Rivers and Gwendoline Mary Lacey and their friends will be able to see them in the familiar surroundings of the Abbey and gardens again.

Hartland Abbey is the cherished home of the Stucley family with treasures and memorabilia collected over many generations. Visitors can wander through the house at will or, for groups, conducted tours are available by prior booking.

Built in the 12thC, Hartland Abbey survived as a monastery longer than any other in the country. In 1539 Henry VIII gifted the Abbey to the Keeper of his Wine Cellar whose descendants still live here today. Hartland Abbey is probably the most historically important ancestral home in North Devon containing much of national interest, including architecture and decoration from the Mediaeval, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods, paintings, furniture, Chinese artefacts and porcelain collected over many generations.

The beautiful 18thC Walled and Woodland gardens, the walks and the parkland provide visitors with extensive grounds through which to wander and enjoy the stunning valley leading down to the rugged Atlantic cove and cottage at Blackpool Mill, the location for many notable films.  Wildflowers proliferate – from primroses and violets, wild garlic, bluebells and foxgloves in spring. Dogs are welcome on leads in the gardens and walks.

The Old Kitchens Tea Room provide a delicious, home made and varied menu of light lunches and cream teas, scrumptious cakes, baguettes, sandwiches, speciality teas and coffees. Access to the Tea Rooms, open from 11am, is only with a valid entry ticket to the gardens and grounds.For more information