The Abbot and community of Buckfast Abbey were recently delighted to accept an invitation from our neighbours at South Devon Railway to travel aboard their Pullman dining car, ‘Lydia’.

Those monks able to attend, joined by some members of Abbey staff, boarded at Buckfastleigh for a return journey to Totnes. In glorious sunshine, they quietly enjoyed tea and cake as the train made its way through the peaceful Dart valley.

Lydia is a carriage with a remarkable story. Pullman Car No. 246 ‘Lydia’ was completed in 1925 by the Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Company. She was a favourite of Winston Churchill, used during the Second World War and for his state funeral in 1965. After more than 50 years out of public use, she was restored at South Devon Railway in 2024/25, and it was a privilege to experience her elegance first-hand.

Abbot David said: “It was a lovely afternoon for the community. As Benedictines we try to offer a warm welcome to everyone who comes to Buckfast, so it was a particular joy to be on the receiving end of such generous hospitality from our neighbours. Travelling through the Dart valley in the sunshine, aboard a carriage with so much history, was a delightful gift. We are very grateful to everyone at South Devon Railway.”

We are very grateful to everyone at South Devon Railway for their kind invitation and warm hospitality, and especially to Alasdair Page, Commercial Manager, whose careful attention to detail made the day so special. It was a gentle, joyful afternoon that the community greatly appreciated.

See all images from the day here.

Early September 2026

Last year, our young choristers visited the home region of Abbot Anscar in Germany, where they gave several concerts. Their visit inspired 52 people from Germany to come to our Abbey and see the building overseen by Abbot Anscar. In doing so, they also fulfilled the final wish of Abbot Natter, who died in the shipwreck that Abbot Anscar survived.
Eleven of the group are relatives of Abbot Anscar and one is related to the monk who led the building work (he is standing to the right of Abbot David).
They brought good weather with them and managed to see Stonehenge on their journey here. Fr Abbot gave them a tour of the Abbey church, they had trips to Dartmoor and Dartmouth, attended a concert on Saturday night, 11am Mass on Sunday, at which the young choristers sang ,and visited Exeter in the afternoon. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and are already planning return trips with their families as well as annual group trips.

San Benedetto’s New Head Chef

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Joshua Ackland as Northgate House Hotel’s San Benedetto’s Restaurant new Head Chef.

With almost 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Josh brings a wealth of culinary expertise, creativity and a genuine passion for delivering exceptional dining experiences. Having worked in a variety of professional kitchens throughout his career, including Glazebook House Hotel and Disney Cruise Line, he is excited to begin this new chapter and become part of our team.

Josh shares our commitment to quality, sustainability and making the very best use of the wonderful produce available on our estate including products from the Monks’ Kitchen range and from trusted local suppliers. Wherever possible, ingredients will be sourced locally, with home-grown produce featuring prominently throughout the year when in season.

Guests can look forward to menus that celebrate the changing seasons, showcasing fresh ingredients at their very best. Alongside the dishes that diners already know and love, Josh will be introducing carefully crafted seasonal specials inspired by local flavours and Italian influences too.

Food has always been about more than simply eating; it’s about bringing people together, creating memories and offering a genuine taste of the local area. Josh’s approach reflects this philosophy, placing equal importance on flavour, presentation, sustainability and warm hospitality.

“We’re delighted to welcome Josh to the San Benedetto’s,” said John Hughes, Executive Head Chef. “From the moment we met, it was clear that his values and passion for hospitality aligned perfectly with ours. We are excited about the fresh ideas he will bring and look forward to seeing him settle into his new role.”

Speaking about his appointment, Josh said: “I’m really pleased to be joining the team here. The restaurant already has a fantastic reputation, and I’m looking forward to getting to know our customers, working with local suppliers and creating dishes that people will enjoy coming back for. Being part of a business that values quality, community and great hospitality is something I’m very excited about.”

As we move through the seasons, diners can expect a continued focus on fresh, high-quality food, attentive service and menus that reflect the wonderful produce available from our estate and surrounding area.

We look forward to introducing Josh to our guests and sharing this exciting new chapter with everyone who visits us.

You may have wondered what an Oblate is and what is their connection to the Abbey. We currently have 50 Oblates – Roman Catholic men and women attached spiritually to Buckfast Abbey who are inspired to undertake an observant life inspired by the rule of St Benedict. Obviously, the constraints of time affect the amount of time they can give up to pray the daily office so the minimum they should adhere to is Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer.

They also should be regular attenders at Mass more than once a week, Read daily the word of God in the Bible, Reflect on the Word with the help of Magnificat or Bible alive which are published monthly, and by Personal Prayer and Meditation.
In so doing they try to absorb into their lives something of the spirit of St Benedict. They are helped by the support of other Oblates who meet regularly at the Abbey to pray together and listen to talks by monks or just to discuss aspects of theology. For example, we recently explored some of Abbot Anscar’s theology which is still highly regarded today.

There are Oblates attached to most of the Benedictine monasteries and individuals are attracted to one which suits them best. When you start your Oblate journey, you become a Novice Oblate for a year and see if it’s the sort of spirituality for you. If you decide to commit you make your Act of Oblation on an Oblates Retreat Day so that your fellow Oblates can witness and welcome, you.

We even have an Oblates WhatsApp group to help us keep in touch with one another. If you would like to attend one of our meetings you can contact us on oblates@buckfast.org.uk

Members of the National Oblates team will be holding their next meeting at Buckfast on the 8th and 9th May. The Abbot Primate is very keen to raise the profile of Oblates worldwide as there are now significant Oblate communities in Asia and Africa. There are plans for a meeting of National Oblate coordinators in 2027 and a World Congress of Oblates in 2030.