Enchanting and historic Forde Abbey

Hidden deep in the East Devon countryside, Forde Abbey is one of the West Country’s most enchanting historic estates and an idyllic day out for guests staying at The Old Bakehouse in Colyton. Indeed, the Abbey is so beautifully lost in time that most sat-navs deliver you to the wrong entrance; instead, follow the brown tourist signs from Axminster Road for a delightful 30-minute drive through rolling fields and ancient hedgerows.

History & Heritage

Founded in 1151 by Cistercian monks, Forde Abbey served as a place of prayer, industry and hospitality. By the late 1200s the monastery owned some 30,000 acres across Devon, Dorset and Somerset. All changed in 1539 during Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries, but unlike Glastonbury’s ill-fated abbot who was hanged at his gates, Abbot Chard of Forde surrendered peacefully and lived to become vicar of nearby Thorncombe.

A century later, Parliamentarian Edmund Prideaux bought the neglected estate, transforming it into the spectacular country house you can visit today. Prideaux’s hospitality almost cost him his life after he entertained the Protestant Duke of Monmouth — an episode that ultimately led to the Bloody Assizes and the hanging of 100 rebels from Colyton.

The tallest powered fountain in the UK

Gardens & Grounds

The 30-acre, award-winning gardens are a must-see for horticulture lovers staying at our Colyton guesthouse. Four tranquil ponds include the Mermaid Pond, whose fountain soars 49 metres—the tallest powered fountain in England. Spring bulbs, camellias, herbaceous borders and quirky topiary provide colour in every season, while meandering paths invite picnics beneath the oak trees.

The Forde Abbey Trail

Scattered throughout the gardens are 11 bronze sculptures from the Robert James Workshop Collection. They depict characters from Beatrix Potter and Alice in Wonderland. The workshop creations are showcased annually at The Chelsea Flower Show.

Alice in Wonderland

Inside the House

Enter through Abbot Chard’s Tower and step into the oak-panelled Great Hall. A grand staircase—ascribed to Inigo Jones—leads to State Rooms hung with priceless Mortlake tapestries depicting the lives of St Peter and St Paul. Don’t miss the Georgian library with its leather-bound volumes, the monks’ dormitories, and the Upper Refectory, built when meat-eating monks needed their own dining room. More recently, the house starred in the 2015 film adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From the Madding Crowd and, in 2024, the BBC drama Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.

Cafe & Visitor Info

After exploring, refuel at the Abbot’s Table café with homemade cakes and lunches. Forde Abbey is open daily March–October, welcomes well-behaved dogs on leads in the gardens, and offers ample parking.

Getting There From The Old Bakehouse

• Distance: 12 miles (≈30 minutes)
• Route: Follow A358 towards Axminster, then brown heritage signs.

Plan Your Stay

Booking a room at The Old Bakehouse in Colyton, Devon is perfect for visits to Forde Abbey, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the South West Coast Path — ideal for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Check availability online at colytonbakehouse.com.

The cloisters

The Spiral Garden