Skip to content

School and Group visits to Buckland Abbey

Children on a school trip at East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire
There is something for groups of all ages to discover at Buckland Abbey | © ©National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Buckland Abbey in Devon’s Tavy Valley is a fantastic place to visit for both school trips and adult group visits. With tailored activities and tours of the building and its treasures, there is something for all ages to discover here.

School visits to Buckland Abbey

Part museum, part house, Buckland Abbey is a great place for an educational visit. Whether it's Tudor history, geography, art or even the outdoors, your visit can be tailored to the topic you are studying. Please book in advance.

Your visit

Download our school visit brochure (PDF)

Most school visits last for about four hours and comprise a tour with one of our Learning Assistants, an activity and time for lunch. There is also the option to visit the shop if you would like to.

If you would prefer to only have a tour, or you want to see about a different activity to those specified below, we can arrange this – just let us know when you book.

You'll be based in the schoolroom for your visit where you can leave your bags safely and have your lunch.

Activities for educational trips

There are several activities we offer as standard – you can choose one of these for your visit:

  • Costume activity – dress up as a Tudor and learn about the different outfits that would have been worn, depending on your status in the Elizabethan times. Due to the number of costumes we have, we can offer this for a maximum of 30 students.
  • Costume talk – for larger groups, we can run a costume talk with the opportunity for a couple of children to dress up to demonstrate the costumes.
  • Artefact handling talk – for larger groups, we can run an artefact talk with the opportunity for children to handle a number of interesting items.

If you'd like to discuss other ideas for activities for your group, just let us know.

FAQs about Educational visits

Visitors exploring the Bodnant Garden, Wales
Groups are welcome at Buckland Abbey | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Bringing an adult group to Buckland Abbey

From university study groups to gardening clubs, groups of all sizes are welcome on visits to Buckland Abbey. As with school groups, please book your visit in advance.

Download our group visit brochure (PDF)

Organised tours, activities and catering

Your group is welcome to conduct their visit on an ad hoc basis, or guided tours of the Abbey can be arranged when you book your visit. If there's something specific you are interested in finding out more about, such as costume making or the gardens, let us know and we'll be happy to work with you to plan your tour, talk or activity. We allow one guide for 15 people and there is a small charge.

If you would like to organise specific catering, or your group wishes to visit the cafe all together, please let us know.

Admission prices

Parties of 15 or more people will benefit from group rates. Payment by cash or card for the whole party should be made by the group leader on the day at Visitor Welcome. National Trust members in your group should come and have their card scanned when payment is made. Group leaders and coach drivers go free.

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 249 1895 or email us at traveltrade@nationaltrust.org.uk

Who is eligible for free entry?

Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.

Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.

Travelling to Buckland Abbey

We strongly advise that you do not use sat nav to get here, as it will take you down narrow lanes unsuitable for large vehicles. Instead, please follow the Buckland Abbey signs from the main A386 Plymouth to Tavistock road.

Parking for coaches and minibuses is available in the main car park, and there is a buggy service for any visitors who would like to be brought down to Visitor Welcome from there. Depending on staff availability, we are sometimes able to offer an introduction on the coach. Please enquire about this when you book.

Accessibility

You can download a PDF of Buckland Abbey's access statement here

Alternatively, this link will take you to Buckland's page on the AccessAble website: https://www.accessable.co.uk/national-trust/buckland-abbey-national-trust

You can download a visual guide to Buckland Abbey here

Contact us

Email

To request further information or make a booking, please email us. We will aim to respond within 5 working days.

bucklandabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk

Call

Our main office phone line is open daily from 9-5.

01822 853607
The exterior of Abbot's tower at Buckland Abbey in the evening light

Discover more at Buckland Abbey

Find out when Buckland Abbey is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

You might also be interested in

View of Buckland Abbey with a green lawn in front and trees, with one tree turning red and brown in autumn, Devon
Article
Article

Visiting Buckland Abbey and Great Barn 

Explore the abbey which is part museum, part house, and filled with treasures. Step inside the medieval Great Barn: a tithe barn unchanged since it was built centuries ago.

Avenue of autumn trees in evening light at Buckland Abbey, Devon
Article
Article

Buckland Abbey's estate 

Discover Buckland's ancient woodland on one of three colour coded walking routes. With abundant wildlife and far reaching views, it's a peaceful and fascinating place to enjoy a stroll.

Visitors admire the Rembrandt self-portrait at Buckland Abbey, Devon
Article
Article

The Rembrandt self-portrait at Buckland Abbey 

See the painting at Buckland Abbey which was revealed as a genuine self-portrait by the famous Dutch artist Rembrandt.

Young visitors playing board games at Buckland Abbey, Devon
Article
Article

The history of Buckland Abbey 

Discover a wealth of history at Buckland Abbey, from its time as a medieval farming monastery to the famous Tudor explorers who called it home.

Two visitors sit at a table in the cafe with cups of tea and cakes
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Buckland Abbey 

Take a break at the Ox Yard Café, which serves tea, coffee, light lunches and sweet treats, before finding a special gift or souvenir in the National Trust shop, art galleries and second-hand bookshop.

A group of male and female people in a large room that has a black and white tiled floor and exhibition panels saying Vita in the background
Article
Article

Education Group Access Pass 

If you’re planning educational group visits to National Trust places, then you could benefit from an Education Group Access Pass, which gives you free admission for a year.

Visitors exploring the garden at Dinefwr, Carmarthenshire
Article
Article

Explorer Pass 

If you're planning a trip in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year, buy a National Trust Explorer Pass for entry to most of the places in our care. With 4-, 8- and 14-day options available, the pass can be tailored to fit your trip. Discover where you can visit with the Explorer Pass and how to buy yours.

Visitors on a tour of the Royal Oak Foundation Conservation Studio at Knole, Kent
Article
Article

Group visits frequently asked questions 

Visiting us with a group? Then our answers to your frequently asked questions might help with any question you may have.