Buckland Abbey

Buckland Abbey, near Yelverton in Devon, began as a Cistercian monastery founded in the late 13th century. After the dissolution of the monasteries it was converted into a private house, unusually built within the shell of the former abbey church. Its most famous owner was Sir Francis Drake, the Elizabethan sea captain and privateer, who bought the property in 1580; the house today displays items associated with him, including the relic known as "Drake's Drum".

Buckland's Drake connection has generated durable folklore. Local tradition holds that Drake's Drum will sound of its own accord when England is in peril, and there are older tales casting Drake himself in a darker, almost diabolical light. Visitors sometimes describe an eerie atmosphere in the ancient building, though such impressions are anecdotal rather than evidenced.

The abbey is most rewarding as a place where monastic origins, Tudor seafaring and legend intertwine. Its documented architecture and Drake associations are historically rich, and the folklore is best appreciated as part of that heritage.

Buckland Abbey is owned and run by the National Trust. It is open to visitors, usually with an admission charge for non-members, and offers the historic house, monastic remains, gardens, an estate to walk and a cafe and shop; opening can be seasonal, so it is worth checking ahead.

Visitors are asked to follow the Trust's guidance, take care on historic stairs and uneven ground, and treat the building, collections and surrounding estate with respect.