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. The abbey was extensively remodelled in the 18th & 19th centuries with fascinating architecture, 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, Ramsay, Kneller’s portrait of Sir William Stucley who saved Stonehenge for the nation, and many other paintings; murals of events in history in which family members took part; the Alhambra corridor; ancient documents from 1160AD including Lewis Stucley’s vindication of escorting Sir Walter Raleigh to the Tower of London; much fine furniture, of which the huge, circular, segmented dining table fascinates visitors; fine porcelain; Victorian and Edwardian photographs including those of the Sudanese Campaign of 1898. The museum and dairy have much of interest on display. The gothic library with its fabulous fireplace by Batty Langley is now open. Our cream teas are the best; all home made by the ladies of St Nectan’s church.
Woodlands gardens contain over 100 different camellias. Rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, at their best in April, May and June, are followed by eucryphia and hydrangeas. 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 18th C 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. Peacocks, black sheep donkeys and the quiz delight children.
Visitors are also able to enjoy the woodland walk to Blackpool Mill, a rugged Atlantic cove 1 mile away, which is a carpet of wildflowers in spring. 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 gazebo overlooking the sea, which was restored in 2004. 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.
Explore the house, gardens and grounds and then enjoy a delicious homemade cream tea in the old kitchen. We love our home, we hope you will too!