Hartland Abbey & Gardens

Hartland Abbey lies across a narrow river valley in an area of outstanding natural beauty. Augustinian monks chose this idyllic site to found their monastery in 1157 AD. The last abbey in the country to be dissolved in 1539, it was given by Henry VIII to the Sergeant of his Wine Cellar, William Abbot, who’s descendent Sir Hugh Stucley and his family live here today. Hartland Abbey was extensively remodelled in the 18th & 19th centuries with fascinating architecture, linenfold panelling and murals; it consists of Medieval, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian architecture and decoration including a complete example of the century of gothic revival.

Many ancestors have been prominent in local and national history; they include Politicians, Courtiers, Soldiers, High Sheriffs and Pirates! Consequently the Abbey contains much of interest to visitors. Portraits by Gainsborough, Reynolds, Hudson and Ramsay; Kneller’s portrait of Sir William StuKeley who saved Stonehenge for the nation, and many other paintings; murals of events in history in which family members took part; the Alhambra Corridor by Sir George Gilbert Scott; ancient documents from 1160AD including Lewis Stucley’s vindication of escorting his cousin, Sir Walter Raleigh, to the Tower of London; much fine furniture, of which the huge, circular, segmented dining table by Jupe fascinates visitors; fine porcelain; Victorian and Edwardian photographs including those of the Sudanese Campaign of 1898. The Museum and Dairy have much of national and local interest on display. The Gothic Library by Meadows, with its fabulous ogee fireplace by Batty Langley, is now open. Our light lunches and cream teas are the best; all home made in aid of St Nectan’s church.

The Hartland Abbey gardens are enjoying a revival after a major restoration by the family. Much had been lost during World War 1 when all the gardeners went to the Front, many never to return. Woodland gardens contain over 100 different camellias. Rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, at their best in April, May and June, are followed by eucryphia and hydrangeas later in the year. Hidden for years under mountains of undergrowth, winding paths, terraces and a Victorian fernery created by Gertrude Jekyll, have been uncovered. A woodland walk leads visitors to the Bog Garden and 18thC Walled Gardens. After years of neglect many roses, herbaceous perennials, shrubs, tender and rare plants including giant echium pininana, vegetables for the house and fruit trees grow in abundance and greenhouses have been restored. Statues have been returned to family ownership.

Peacocks, black sheep, donkeys and the quiz delight children who relish the open spaces and the natural environment.

Visitors are also able to enjoy the lovely woodland walk to Blackpool Mill, the location of 'Barton Cottage' in the Andrew Davies's adaptation for the BBC of Jane Austen's 'Sense and Sensibility' which was shown in 2008. The cottage is beside a rugged Atlantic cove 1 mile away from the Abbey; the walk is a carpet of wildflowers in spring. Snowdrops flower in February (Snowdrop Sundays 8th and 15th Feb2009) followed by primroses, violets, wood anenomes and a mass of bluebells, at their best in April. The wild, rocky coastline with huge cliffs has been the scene of numerous shipwrecks and is a spectacular and beautiful sight. A haven for wildlife, it is not unusual to see buzzards, peregrine falcons, seabirds, and many butterfly species. A zigzag path leads to the recently restored gazebo overlooking the sea, which is now licensed for civil weddings. Gardeners World on BBC television was filmed here.

The abbey and gardens have featured in many newspaper and magazine articles, including County Life, The English Garden and Devon Life. BBC’s Going for a Song included objects from the abbey; Bargain Hunt with Tim Wonnacott was recorded here. American Vogue used the abbey and gardens as a location and the estate is regularly used for filming. Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers was partially filmed at the cottage by the beach in 2005. The abbey features in 1000 Best Houses by Simon Jenkins.

The Abbey is also available for functions, civil weddings and wedding receptions.

Explore the house, gardens, grounds and lovely walks. Enjoy a delicious light lunch or homemade cream tea in the old kitchens. The Gift Shop offers a range of interesting and practical presents, cards, soap and biscuits. The Art Gallery shows the depth of local talent. Hartland Abbey is a loved and lived-in family home which we hope will be enjoyed by all our visitors.