Explore Hartland Abbey

NEW for 2013:  The Abbey and Gardens are now open Sunday to Thursday all season with the Tea Rooms open every day too.  The Tea Rooms are under new management with exciting new menus.  Hartland Abbey is closed on Fridays and Saturdays.

We welcome visitors to our family home in this beautiful valley leading to the sea and hope very much that you will really enjoy a visit to this special place. Built for the Augustinian monks in the 12thC, it was the last Abbey in the England to be dissolved by Henry VIII and was given to the Keeper of his Wine Cellar at Hampton Court , Mr. Abbott. From the Abbott family it has descended to the present owners. All the rooms are in daily use by the family and visitors constantly remark on the welcoming, homely atmosphere of the house, so often absent in many open houses today. Hartland Abbey is suitable for all ages with plenty of space for children to run about outside or do the Quiz in the house, for which a prize awaits! There are lots of benches around the gardens and the walks to rest weary limbs! Dogs are very welcome, on leads
 
There is so much to see and do. Important collections of paintings, fine furniture, porcelain, family memorabilia, early photographs, documents and seals, accumulated over the generations, fascinate visitors. The stunning interiors with their architecture and decoration from the Mediaeval, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods including work by Sir George Gilbert Scott, architect of St Pancras Station and The Albert Memorial, are of great interest.

Wander the 50 acres gardens and grounds at leisure following winding paths to the Bog Garden, Victorian fernery, the three 18thC Walled Gardens , glasshouses and woodland shrubberies. From the early bulbs, camellias, rhododendrons and azaleas of spring, through to summer flowering plants, fragrant roses, climbers and vegetables to the late summer deep blue hydrangeas, there is always a spectacular flowering display.

Walk to the beach and the cottage where Rosamunde Pilcher’s ‘The Shell Seekers’ (Muschelsuchers) and Jane Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility’ was filmed, with spectacular views of the rugged coastline and Lundy Island out to sea; in spring the ground is carpeted in beautiful snowdrops, wild daffodils and bluebells followed by foxgloves in May. Follow recently restored paths to the Woodland Summerhouse, hidden by undergrowth since 1950, and the Gazebo overlooking the Atlantic Ocean . See wandering peacocks, donkeys and guinea fowl!. The museum, gallery of local art and gift shop are of great interest to visitors.

Delicious light lunches and home made cream teas are served in the old kitchens. In good weather there is lots of seating in the courtyard.
 
Hartland Abbey is open regularly May to October and at other times by arrangement, has level access to many parts of the house and grounds, is suitable for groups and hosts many wonderful events - such as Bluebell, Snowdrop and Daffodil Sundays - throughout the year. Throughout the summer there is a full outdoor theatre programme.

The abbey and grounds also offer a truly beautiful wedding venue.  We also have traditional, get-away-from-it-all holiday cottages to let on the estate.
 
We hope you will visit us and enjoy the experience of this family home and its beautiful gardens.   For much more information, including admission charges, opening times and images please visit our website. Alternatively to speak to a human being, please ring 01237 441264/234.