Buckfastleigh has several distinct points of interest: a historic railway line, traces of local and industrial history, an outdoor swimming pool and routes with links to Dartmoor. Buckfast Abbey is also set in the landscape, on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. As you plan your trip, you could first consider whether you are most interested in railway history, historic buildings or opportunities for outdoor activities.
A railway line with its own sense of time
The South Devon Railway runs along a traditional Great Western Railway branch line between Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside. It brings back the golden age of travel between the 1930s and 1960s. The route between these two locations and its historic atmosphere make the railway a clear focus for a stay in Buckfastleigh.
Buckfastleigh station is home to the South Devon Railway Museum, housed in the former goods shed. The Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary and Buckfast Butterfly Farm in Devon, TQ11 0DZ, is also at the station. Alongside the railway line, this site is therefore home to both a museum in the former goods building and the named animal and butterfly attraction.
Buckfastleigh is the headquarters of the South Devon Railway; most journeys on the line begin here. The Railway has extensive free parking there. Check the current parking information before travelling, as arrangements may change.
Local history in houses and streets
The Valiant Soldier reflects several different periods in history. The present building dates from the 18th century; the Valiant Soldier was first recorded as a pub in 1813. Its rooms reflect its history as a pub and family home, as well as its heritage from the 1960s. The Valiant Soldier has been preserved as a museum and offers a glimpse into the past.
Holy Trinity Church also tells the story of several building and historical phases. It was built in the 13th century and burned down in July 1992. Today, only the shell of the walls and the spire remain; the spire was added in the 1840s. In Chapel Street, a listed row of weavers’ houses with tenter lofts, designated Grade II*, bears witness to Buckfastleigh’s industrial history.
Another perspective on local history can be found on the High Street in Buckfastleigh Lower Town. There, a medieval layout of long, narrow plots, known as burgage plots, remains. Each plot provides access to the River Mardle and Dean Burn. This shows that the town’s history is reflected not only in individual buildings but also in the layout of its plots and their connection to the two waterways.
Abbey, outdoor pool and walking routes
Buckfast Abbey lies at the heart of a picturesque valley on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. It is home to a community of Roman Catholic Benedictine monks. The abbey’s setting and religious community give it two distinct connections: to the landscape and to monastic life.
Buckfastleigh Open Air Pool is a heated, 21-metre outdoor swimming pool in the heart of Buckfastleigh. Its history dates back to 1887, when the Hamlyn family, prominent benefactors and the original owners of the town’s wool mills, gave Victoria Park and the swimming pool to Buckfastleigh to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The pool is therefore also connected to the town’s history and local wool industry.
For a walk, there is the 5.8 km Welcome to Dartmoor Buckfastleigh Walk circular route, as well as a shorter 2 km option. The difference gives you a clear choice based on your preferred distance: a more compact circuit or a longer walk. Both figures refer to the length of the circular route or the shorter option.
Discover more destinations: Sparkwell, Uplyme, Buckland Monachorum, South Molton, Staverton, Starcross, Buckland Brewer, Lapford.
Go to the main travel overview: Devon.
