Cider House at Buckland Abbey

Cider House was originally part of the Buckland Abbey Estate which was established in 1278 by the Cistercian Monks and dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539.

Next to the Abbey is the Great Barn; one of the largest medieval barns remaining in the country. It is 87 metres long by 10 metres wide and was used to store the produce of the Abbey’s vast estates.

After dissolution, the abbey was rebuilt as a grand house by Sir Richard Grenville who intended it to be country estate for his son Roger. However, Roger died a few years later whilst commanding the Mary Rose. The Estate was subsequently bought by Sir Francis Drake in 1581. The Abbey has a stained glass window of Sir Frances Drake’s travels.  The house remained in the Drake family until 1946 when it was bought by a retired Naval Officer who then gave the Abbey and its grounds to the National Trust. The Officer retained ownership of the old cider barn and converted it into his private residence; Cider House.

Up until 2011, Cider House and gardens were tended for over 30 years by Michael and Sarah Stone. The gardens were open to the public for the latter 18 of those years through the National Gardens Scheme. The National Trust bought the Cider House in 2011 and so the Estate is back together again.

Cider House is now in the devoted care of Bertie and Bryony Hancock who have transformed the house into luxury self catering accommodation, with the added benefit of sitting at the heart of the 700 acre Buckland Abbey Estate and having its beautiful gardens now looked after by the National Trust team.

Everything you would expect from a simply stunning National Trust Garden, the gardens at Cider House have been lovingly nurtured by the previous owners who featured the gardens for over 18 years in the National Garden Scheme. Now under the expert care of the National Trust, the gardens are open to guests and the Trust visitors during their opening hours but are for the exclusive enjoyment of Cider House guests between 5:30pm and 10:30am.

There is something rather magical about enjoying the gardens once the Estate is closed, a real privilege and indulgence of all the senses; bird song, flowing water, the scents and sights of the garden and the essence of tranquillity that embodies the Estate, all combine to offer the most wonderful tonic for the mind and soul.

The garden begins with a terrace and parterre enjoying views down the valley, with lawns and herbaceous borders extending beyond the old Linhay which is now a beautiful yoga studio with wrap around views. The old granite apple crusher sits in the lawn under an arch of roses and a long woodland border leads down to the wild garden. The borders are filled with a wide selection of plants chosen for their colour, structure and scent.

There is also the spectacular walled kitchen garden which provides Cider House with delicious organic fruit and vegetables throughout the year.