17 September @ 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | FREE
Enjoy a guided tour of the remains of this important monastic site, nestled in a beautiful rural location in the Blackdown Hills. Find out about the resourcefulness of the Cistercians and discover why they choose this rural site to build their abbey.
There will be tours at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
The Abbey was founded in 1201 by William Brewere as a colony of the mother house of Forde Abbey in Dorset. By the time of its dissolution in 1539, it had a substantial estate and was a major monastic house. Today, only the gatehouse and fragments of the west range survive.
Discover what Dunkeswell Abbey would have looked like and what life was like for the Cistercian monks who lived there. Water management was vital to the survival and self-sufficiency of the monastic community and the Cistercians were experts at managing water in the landscape. Discover how the monks used their skills and knowledge to create a thriving rural community and explore the ancient remains of this monastic complex. The Holy Trinity Church, built in 1842 by the women of the Simcoe family on the site of the Abbey, will be open with its 13th century medieval floor tiles on view.
A pop up community ‘café’ selling tea and cake will be on site, giving you more time to relax in this picturesque and peaceful setting in the Madford Valley.
Booking is essential due to very limited parking (you do not need to book tickets for children under 16). If you intend to arrive on foot or by bike please contact us as we might be able to accommodate you on a tour, even if all tickets have gone.
Please note there are no toilets on site.
