Buckfast Abbey

building, Ashburton, England, United Kingdom

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

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Buckfast Abbey is a monastery located near Ashburton in Devon, southwestern England. Historically, it was known for producing serge fabric in the 16th century. The current abbey structure was rebuilt between 1806 and 1838 and now houses a Benedictine community.1

An abbey, in general, is a complex of buildings housing a monastery or convent, centered around an abbey church and directed by an abbot or abbess. These self-contained religious communities originally developed in the Middle East and Greece. The first European abbey, Montecassino in Italy, was founded in 529 by St. Benedict of Nursia, whose rule became the foundation for Western monastic life.2

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Ashburton
The monks of nearby Buckfast Abbey (rebuilt 1806–38) made Ashburton serge famous in the 16th century. The abbey now houses a Benedictine community. Pop. (2001) 4,003; (2011) 4,087.
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The monks of nearby Buckfast Abbey (rebuilt 1806–38) made Ashburton serge famous in the 16th century. The abbey now houses a Benedictine community. Pop. (2001) 4,003; (2011) 4,087.
Read More