Hartland Abbey & Gardens

About

No visit to Devon is complete without spending a day exploring award-winning Hartland Abbey with its stunning architecture and interiors, fascinating collections, beautiful gardens and walks.

Experience the warmth and friendliness found only in a cherished family home while at this wonderful country house. Peacocks, donkeys and black sheep wander the beautiful parkland and there are plenty of open spaces for children to explore, the Quiz and Nature Trails are great ways to keep the children entertained! 

Woodland walks lead to the restored Summerhouse in the woods, the Gazebo and the wild Atlantic cove at Blackpool Mill where the BBC filmed scenes for the hugely popular, and Golden Globe winning, 'The Night Manager' by John Le Carre starring Hugh Laurie, Olivia Colman and Tom Hiddleston. BBC 'Sense and Sensibility' starring Dan Stevens, Rosamunde Pilcher's 'The Shell Seekers' and in 2017 'Guernsey and Literary Potato Peel Pie Society’ starring Lily James, were also filmed here. BBC Antiques Roadshow with Fiona Bruce was filmed at Hartland Abbey in 2011. Our 'Filming on the Hartland Abbey Estate since 1934' exhibition is now open displaying stunning images of behind-the-scenes filming and film stars including Alan Bates, Michael Caine, Billy Connolly and Tom Hiddleston. 

Built in the 12th Century, 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 celler and the house still remains in the family. The impressive interiors span Medieval, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods. Of special interest are the three main Reception Rooms, the Alhambra Corridor by Sir George Gilbert Scott and the Gothic Library by Meadows with its Batty Langley fireplace. The circular table by Jupe dominates the Dining Room. Important paintings by artists including Reynolds and Gainsborough furniture porcelain and early photographs. The museum, the Dairy, The 'William Stukeley - Saviour of Stonehenge' Exhibition, documents from 1160 and changing displays of family memorabilia fascinate visitors. Hartland Abbey is probably the most historically important ancestral home in North Devon and contains much of national interest.

The award winning Old Kitchens Tea Room serve homemade light lunches, cream teas, scrumptious cakes and a choice of teas and coffees. Wherever possible organically grown produce from the Walled Gardens is used. The Gift Shop sells a lovely range of cards, books and gifts. Flat car park adjacent to the house for cars and coaches. Dogs are also welcome in the gardens and the walks. Recommended walks include the Walk to the Sea, our circular walk to the beach. Visitors can reach the wild Atlantic Cove and the newly restored Gazebo via our established woodland walk offering some of the most spectacular scenery in the British Isles. The walk, which was discovered in 2010, had been built in the 19th century but had become over grown during the 1st World War.

Hartland Abbey is a unique venue for weddings and special events, the combination of the stunning house and gardens with the beautiful setting and private access to the coast provide a perfect backdrop to your wedding photos and other special events. Couples are able to choose from five different venues for their special day, including the summerhouse which overlooks a beautiful flower bed and the Gazebo, overlooking the Atlantic.
Receptions can be held in a marquee on the lawns beside the abbey or elsewhere on the estate and can cater for humanist weddings, civil partnerships and more. The grounds also boast to lovely cottages which are available to rent for holidays. One of them was even used in the filming of the BBC’s Night Manager, see if you can guess which one!

Please see our website www.hartlandabbey.com for all our events.