Hartland Abbey
With monastic roots, the lived-in family home of the Stucley family.
Bideford, Devon, EX39 6DT
Facilities
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Accessible loos
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Accessible parking
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Cafe / restaurant
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Facilities for children
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Free parking
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Parkland / open spaces
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Pet friendly
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Shop
Hartland Abbey and its gardens, being an old house built across a narrow steep-sided valley, is not easily accessible for wheelchairs unfortunately. Wide steps with a handrail lead to the front door with access to the main reception rooms. Illustrated folders of images of the upstair rooms are provided for those unable to walk up stairs. Wheelchair access is flat leading to the exhibitions including ‘William Stukeley – Saviour of Stonehenge’ and ‘Filming at Hartland Abbey since 1934’, tea room, shop and museum. We sadly regret we cannot allow mobility scooters access to the house as the passages are too narrow.
Room descriptions in large type are available to those with impaired vision. Stewards in the main reception rooms are there to assist our visitors.
A small car park situated next to the Walled Gardens is solely for the use of those with walking difficulties. The Walled Gardens have a few steps due to the contour of the land.
We do everything we possibly can to help our visitors. If you have a specific query please ring 01237441496/234.
Hartland Abbey is a fascinating house. Built across a narrow, wooded valley leading to an Atlantic cove a mile away, Henry VIII gifted the Abbey to The Keeper of his Wine Cellar, whose descendants live here today.
Not only can visitors experience the stunning interiors, collections, beautiful gardens and walks but the Abbey exudes the warmth and friendliness only found in a family home cherished for generations. Close family connections to Poltimore House and Clovelly Court nearby are evident.
Guided tours available by prior booking
Please note: The information on the Historic Houses website is advisory, but please always check the website of the house or garden you intend to visit before travelling.
24 March – 3 October, Sundays – Thursdays, 11-5pm including the house, gardens, grounds, exhibitions, beachwalks and Tearoom (House open: 2- 4pm).
NB We are closed on Fridays and Saturdays.
Special events:
Daffodils and Mothering, Sunday 10 March, 11-4pm
Easter Egg Hunts – Easter Sunday 31 March and Easter Monday 1 April 11 – 5pm
Bluebell Sundays 14 and 21 April 11-5pm
Outdoor theatre – see website for details
Free entry for Historic Houses members. No pre-booking required.
Adults: House, Exhibitions, Gardens and Walks £16.50
Adults: Gardens, Exhibitions, Walks £13
Registered disabled: House, Exhibitions, Gardens and Walks £13
Registered disabled: Gardens, Exhibitions, Gardens and Walks £8
Wheelchair users: £7 for house and exhibitions; £3.50 for gardens
Children 5-15: £5.50 House and gardens; £5 gardens only
Family (2-3 children): House and gardens £35; Gardens and exhibitions only £29
Historic Houses Members:
We regret no free entry to members on Special Event Days.
We welcome groups to the Abbey and gardens. Please see our website for group rates or ring Theresa on 01237441496.
Guided tours of the house are available by prior request and take approximately 45 minutes- 1hr. Allow extra time for the gardens, woodland walk to beach, lunch and cream tea. (Average visit 2½ – 3 hours inc. gardens, grounds).
If you are a special interest group please tell us so that we can arrange a tour with either Sir Hugh or Lady Stucley, or a guide with specific knowledge. For tours with Sir Hugh or Lady Stucley there will be an extra charge.
Sir Hugh and Lady Stucley now welcome private groups of 12-60 people at times other than when we are open to the public. Lunches and dinners for special occasions in the panelled Dining Room with its huge, circular, segmented table by Jupe, specialist tours or small conferences can be catered for.
We welcome educational visits provided they are well supervised. Please see our group rates and contact Theresa on 01237441496.
Hartland Abbey and its gardens, being an old house built across a narrow steep-sided valley, is not easily accessible for wheelchairs unfortunately. Wide steps with a handrail lead to the front door with access to the main reception rooms. Illustrated folders of images of the upstair rooms are provided for those unable to walk up stairs. Wheelchair access is flat leading to the exhibitions including ‘William Stukeley – Saviour of Stonehenge’ and ‘Filming at Hartland Abbey since 1934’, tea room, shop and museum. We sadly regret we cannot allow mobility scooters access to the house as the passages are too narrow.
Room descriptions in large type are available to those with impaired vision. Stewards in the main reception rooms are there to assist our visitors.
A small car park situated next to the Walled Gardens is solely for the use of those with walking difficulties. The Walled Gardens have a few steps due to the contour of the land.
We do everything we possibly can to help our visitors. If you have a specific query please ring 01237441496/234.
Getting here
Bideford, Devon, EX39 6DT
Five miles west of Clovelly through Hartland Village en route to Hartland Quay. Turn off A39: 15 miles west of Bideford, 15 miles north of Bude. M5: Junction 27 follow North Devon Link Road to Hartland.
Nearest airports Exeter and Bristol. Trains to Barnstaple via Exeter.
Local bus service from Barnstaple station and Bideford to Hartland village.
Visiting Hartland Abbey
Amongst the impressive interiors spanning Mediaeval, Queen Anne, Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods you can see the three main Reception Rooms, the fabulous Alhambra Corridor by Sir George Gilbert Scott and the Gothic Library by Meadows with its fireplace by Batty Langley. Important paintings by artists including Reynolds and Gainsborough, furniture, porcelain, early photographs, a museum of documents from 1160 and changing displays of family memorabilia fascinate visitors.
Much of the 50 acres of gardens and woodland walks had been lost since the First World War but since restoration began in 1996 once again there are beautiful paths through bulbs, rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and hydrangeas; the Bog Garden and Fernery, by Gertrude Jekyll, thrive again.
In the three 18th-century Walled Gardens climbers, herbaceous, tender perennials and vegetables delight and glasshouses protect stunning plants for display in the house. Walk through carpets of primroses, historic daffodils, bluebells and wildflowers to the newly restored Summerhouse in the woods, the Gazebo and Blackpool Mill with its beautiful beach and cottage, a popular film location.
Home to the Dashwood family in Jane Austen’s ‘Sense and Sensibility’, it has recently been the location for Rosamunde Pilcher’s ‘The Shell Seekers’and the Lanyon in ‘The Night Manager’ with Tom Hiddleston. In 2017 the Hartland Abbey Estate was used for the filming of ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ starring Lily James.
Our popular displays include ‘William Stukeley – Saviour of Stonehenge’ and ‘Filming on the Hartland Abbey Estate since 1934’. Access to our exhibitions, museum, gift shop and display of early photographs are accessible from 11am with an entry ticket to the gardens.
Donkeys, black sheep and peacocks roam. Children’s Quiz. Holiday cottages to rent. Hartland Abbey adjoins the SW Coastal Footpath in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Free parking. Gift Shop. 1 mile from Hartland Quay and St. Nectan’s Church, the Cathedral of North Devon.
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