A New Chapter for the Medieval Guest Hall
If you enter Buckfast Abbey through the south gate, your eyes will first be drawn to the ever-faithful Gothic tower. But just beyond it, nestled in the grounds, stands a building of an entirely different character. Its silhouette, weathered and almost organic, has been shaped by centuries of wind, rain, and quiet endurance. Often overlooked, the medieval guest hall is one of the Abbey’s most storied structures.
Built in the 15th century, it originally served as lodging for guests, true to the Benedictine tradition of hospitality. Over its long life, it has worn many hats, and by the time the Abbey re-acquired it in the 1980s, it was a tearoom run by the Benthal Trust. Since then, it has been used as a dependable space for staff events, ordination receptions, and various exhibitions. Now, it is entering yet another chapter of its history.
Yet, despite its charm, the Hall’s medieval design has long limited its use. With its main hall on the upper floor, originally built that way to retain warmth while the stone cellar below remained cool and dry, it has remained inaccessible to many. Facilities were equally sparse, with only a medieval toilet clinging precariously to the outer wall, its ‘plumbing’ best left undescribed.
Now, the Hall is receiving a long-awaited renewal. In keeping with the Benedictine values of hospitality and stewardship, new additions, including an elevator and modern facilities, will make it fully accessible and more welcoming for all. Work is already well underway, carried out by Oldrieve Construction. When ground was broken to lay a new conduit beneath the stone floor, an archaeologist from Oakford Archaeology was on hand to examine the site. Despite hopes of uncovering ancient relics, nothing more than bare earth was found, and work pressed on.
By the end of May, the medieval guest hall will hopefully open its doors once again – not just as a relic of the past, but as a space ready to serve the Abbey community for years to come.
