Education Department
Cost for any half day visit – £4
Cost for a full day visit – £5
Timings for the visits are typically:
10.00-12.00pm morning
12.30-2.30pm afternoon
10.30-2.30pm for a full day
Maximum number of pupils/ students for a workshop is 60.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITY
CURRICULUM LINK
CONTENT
Faith, worship and belief
Embark on a tour of Buckfast Abbey, a historic monastery steeped in centuries of tradition. Discover how this sacred place functions today as a living faith community. Learn in an age-appropriate way about the core beliefs of Christianity including: the importance of prayer, beliefs about God and the significance of the sacraments.
RE
-Themed tour of the Abbey Church.
-Monastic Way Exhibition or Education –Centre activity session
-Question and answer session with a monk can be arranged.
Windows of Wonder
Uncover the secrets of stained glass in the Abbey by embarking on a stained-glass trail. Learn how these windows served as a vital source of religious education for past generations through visual storytelling. Explore the artistry and craftsmanship behind their creation by learning about the various techniques employed and examine authentic stained-glass fragments from the Abbey windows. Finally, design and make your own artwork, based on an interpretation of the stained glass that you have seen during the day.
RE, Art
-Themed tour around the Abbey Church
-Craft activity
-Make your own interpretation of stained glass in a craft activity.
-Monastic Way Exhibition or Education Centre activity session
Signs and Symbols
Immerse yourself in the rich symbolism of Christianity by engaging in a tour of the Abbey church. You’ll encounter a diverse array of symbols, from ancient to modern, each with its own unique story to tell.
Following the tour, take part in a craft workshop, where you’ll use printing or clay to recreate your own interpretation of these symbols.
RE, Art
-Themed tour of the Abbey church.
-Craft activity to re-create these using printing or clay.
-Question and answer session with a monk can be arranged.
Monastic life
Step into the world of monasticism at Buckfast Abbey. Take a guided tour of the Abbey Church, a sacred space where you’ll discover more about monastic worship and the pattern of daily prayer. Visit the interactive Monastic Way exhibition or Education Centre and engage in a conversation with a monk from the Abbey, to gain an insight into their daily life and the vows that they have taken.
RE
-Tour of the Abbey Church and grounds
-Visit to the Monastic Way Exhibition or Education Centre to find out more about the Rule of St Benedict and life in a monastery.
-Question and answer session with a monk can be arranged.
All Saints Trail
Immerse yourself in the stories of the saints with a dedicated day of exploration. Participate in an interactive trail around the Abbey Church and grounds, to discover more about a number of saints and how their lives continue to inspire Christians today. Take part in a craft activity as a reminder of the day’s learning.
RE
-Tour of Abbey Church and grounds
-Craft activity
-Question and answer session with a monk can be arranged.
Stations of Mary
Journey through the ‘Stations of Mary’ and learn about her life as the mother of Jesus. Using imagery found in the Abbey Church and grounds, discover the inspiration that she offers to Christians today. Your journey will include creating your own bead decoration and participating in a craft activity in our Education Centre.
RE
-Tour of Abbey Church and grounds
-Craft activity
-Question and answer session with a monk can be arranged.
Journeys – Be a Pilgrim at Buckfast Abbey
Follow in the footsteps of the medieval pilgrims by making your own pilgrimage to Buckfast Abbey. Find meaning and reflection on a pilgrim’s journey at Buckfast Abbey. Explore the beautiful grounds and Abbey Church, while learning about the tradition of pilgrimage. Participants will have the chance to reflect on their own personal journeys and to create a unique pilgrim badge, as a memento of the day.
RE
-Tour of Abbey Church and grounds
-Craft Activity
-Question and answer session with a monk can be arranged.
Celebration of Creation
Connect with nature and faith at Buckfast Abbey. Explore the Abbey grounds on an interactive nature trail, celebrating the beauty of God’s creation. Experience the wonder of the natural world and find moments for quiet reflection. Discover the fascinating life of bees, observe our active hive, and learn about their vital role they play in the ecosystem. The importance of environmental stewardship and exploring the challenges facing our planet are also explored during the workshop. There is also the opportunity to take part in craft activities using natural materials and processes.
RE
-Guided environmental trail around the Abbey grounds
-Interactive workshop in Education Centre focussed on bees
-Environmental activities
-Natural art craft activities
Life in a Medieval Monastery: A Journey of Discovery
Uncover the fascinating world of medieval monastic life through a guided trail and engaging activities. Learn about the daily routine of medieval monks and compare this to the lives of the monks who live at Buckfast Abbey today. Explore the archaeological evidence of the original medieval structures at Buckfast and learn about the Abbey’s remarkable reconstruction. Discover the importance of gardens in the Middle Ages by taking a tour of the Physic Garden and the Sensory Garden, where you’ll learn about the medicinal and culinary uses of herbs. Choose a craft workshop which explores the art of medieval calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts, or create beautiful mosaics inspired by medieval designs.
History, Art
-Medieval guided trail (including a tour of the Abbey Church and grounds)
-Monastic Way exhibition or Education Centre activities
-Craft activity – choice of:
(i) calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts
(ii) mosaics
Potions & pestilence
Explore the history of the plague through an interactive workshop. Learn about its spread, prevention methods, and the use of herbs in traditional medicine. Discover the medicinal properties of plants in the Abbey’s Physic and Sensory Gardens. Create your own pomander or herbal craft, inspired by historical remedies.
History
-Interactive workshop
-Tour of the Physic and Sensory Gardens in the Abbey grounds
-Craft activity to make your own pomander or herb craft activity
Anglo Saxons at Buckfast Abbey
Through firsthand learning, creative crafts, and exploration of
the site, pupils will step back in time to discover the lives,
beliefs, and daily work of the Anglo-Saxons.
Although the current Abbey building was not completed until 1938,
the site has been a place of Christian worship for over a
thousand years, making it the perfect setting to explore.
Anglo-Saxon history. This workshop explores key curriculum questions, such as: ‘Who were the Anglo-Saxons?’
‘What was important to them?’
‘How did they live and work?’
Children will:
Learn about the Anglo-Saxon history of Buckfast Abbey.
Explore the Abbey church to discover some Anglo-Saxon saints.
Create a piece of Anglo-Saxon art.
History
-Anglo-Saxon guided trail (including a tour of the Abbey Church and grounds)
-Education Centre Activities
-Craft activities
-Question and Answer session with a monk
Buckfast 1539
Find out about the reign of Henry VIII and explore the dramatic events relating to the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Students participate in an interactive workshop, where the key issues surrounding the dissolution are debated, making use of a range of historical evidence including primary sources. Take a tour of the Abbey and grounds to discover what remains of the original buildings today.
History
-Interactive workshop
-Tour of the Abbey Church and the grounds.
Building a Masterpiece: Exploring the Architecture of Buckfast Abbey
Uncover the secrets behind the construction of the Abbey Church. Learn about the architectural techniques employed, including arches, hoists, flying buttresses, and medieval roof designs. Participate in engaging activities at the Education Centre or explore the Monastic Way Exhibition. Conclude your exploration with a tour of the Abbey Church and grounds.
STEM focus: Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths
-Tour of Abbey Church and grounds.
-Education Centre activities/ Monastic Way Exhibition
-Science activities
Christmas
Celebrate Christmas at Buckfast Abbey! Our festive programme offers a range of interactive experiences tailored to suit all primary age groups. Each workshop features storytelling, a guided tour of the Abbey Church, and engaging creative craft activities.
Our current Christmas programme is:
– Advent Day
– Angel Day
– Nativity Day
– St Nicholas Day
RE
-Storytelling session
-Guided tour of the church
-Craft activities
Easter
From Reception to Year 6, there is an Easter workshop available which combines storytelling, a guided tour of the church, and creative craft activities.
The Donkey’s Tale (R/KS1)
An interactive storytelling workshop which explores the events of Easter week through the eyes of the donkey who was chosen to carry Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Pupils will receive their own cuddly donkey to help them to remember the story. Pupils will also take part in a craft session
Threads of Easter (KS2)
An interactive tour around the church that retells the story from Palm Sunday to the crucifixion and resurrection. At each stop, pupils will talk about concepts from the story and ‘build’ the story using beads.
Extraordinary Easter Eggs
Using our map, explore the Abbey grounds and find giant Easter eggs which contain instructions for an activity relating to the Easter story.
RE
-Storytelling session
-Guided tour of the church
-Craft activities
Eco Day at Buckfast Abbey
Bring your school’s Eco Group to Buckfast Abbey for a fun, interactive day packed with real-world sustainability in action.
Science, Geography
– Watch our Archimedes screw and Water Wheel harness natural energy.
– Discover how we grow plants for our shop and make compost.
– Visit our observational beehive and learn how we produce Buckfast honey.
– Learn how the monks use locally grown and farmed materials to make produce.
Let your light shine: a workshop for Pupil Ethos groups
Bring your Pupil Ethos Group to Buckfast Abbey, to embark on an enrichment day specifically designed for Key Stage 1 and 2 children. This Pupil Ethos Day offers a unique opportunity to explore the Abbey’s historical and spiritual significance, whilst providing pupils with the opportunity to reflect on their own school values. Through interactive activities and guided exploration, pupils will discover the principles of community, respect, and responsibility, all within the inspiring and peaceful setting of Buckfast Abbey. The day is designed to encourage reflection and collaboration, helping children to consider how they can contribute positively to their school and wider community.
RE
-Reflective tour of Abbey Church and grounds
-Interactive, collaborative activities designed around school values
-Art/ craft activities linked to community, respect, responsibility (e.g. a choice of prayer beads, illuminated letters, stained glass, lanterns)
-Question and Answer session with a monk can be arranged upon request.
Residential/ Retreat for Schools and Colleges
We have recently extended our Learning Outside the Classroom Award (LOtC) to encompass overnight stays at Buckfast Abbey’s Grangehurst House. The Education Team has a programme of activities that can be used for the
duration of your stay. Please email: education@buckfast.org.uk for a sample programme.
Grangehurst House is spread over three floors, with the bedrooms split into a mix of single, twin and bunk rooms, it is a perfect venue for schools and colleges.
. There is ample space for communal activities including: a large lounge, games room located near the main house, spacious private outside grounds, large patio area.
The house is only let to one group at a time, minimum charges apply.
See the website for more information HERE.
For availability, please call our accommodation team on 01364 645630.
A minimum number of twenty people for 2 nights is required to book accommodation at Grangehurst.
If you are interested in any of the activities above, please complete the form below and we will be in touch with more information:
