Revealed: Full details of Buckfast Abbey’s Magical Christmas Market
Devon’s Buckfast Abbey has released further details on the exciting range of festive entertainment, family-friendly activities and fabulous gifts on offer at its popular three-day Christmas Market, taking place from Thursday 1st December to Saturday 3rd December (10am – 5pm) 2022.
Showcasing some of the region’s best market stalls, food, and drink producers, the free indoor and outdoor event offers visitors the chance to kick-start the yuletide season with a feast of delicious seasonal foods, a carefully curated mix of handcrafted goods, and bespoke artisan products. With the stunning Abbey church and expansive grounds as its backdrop, the market brings together the combined delights of mulled wine, minced pies, and festive entertainment to create an atmosphere brimming with Christmas cheer.
Featuring over 30 independent stalls, the family-friendly weekend has been designed to help visitors find the perfect present for their loved ones; be that a bottle of rum; award-winning traditional artisan cider; fresh farm food; oil cloth tote bags, or even unique pebble art pictures.
Visitors attending the festive market will be able to explore the Abbey’s stunning grounds, participate in tasty Trappist Ale sampling at the Abbey’s Gift Shop each day from 11am, and enjoy the free family treasure hunt, as well as Christmas craft making classes.
On the Saturday, Dartmoor’s internationally renowned children’s author, Tracey Elliot-Reap, will be holding enthralling book readings and book signings for children every hour on the hour, with breaks to answer questions from listeners. Tracey will be joined by the animal stars from her books to help narrate the story, including Rainbow the Pony, and dogs Lad and Scamp. Children will even have the opportunity to groom Rainbow, and pet Lad and Scamp.
Other attractions at the market include stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery, fused glass gifts, natural skincare products, and one-of-a-kind clothing, to silk and wool stalls. There’ll also be chance to enjoy Christmas Carol chiming from Dart Valley Hand Bell Ringers on the Friday. On Saturday, live entertainment will be provided courtesy of Buckfast Abbey’s world-renowned Choristers.
When the market closes on the Saturday evening, Buckfast Abbey will hold a special festive programme of music which will include Charpentier’s joyous Messe de minuit sung by Exeter Chamber Choir. Guests can buy tickets to the performance on 3rd December, which starts at 7:30pm, through the Abbey website. https://www.buckfast.org.uk/product/tickets/exeter-chamber-choir-messe-de-minuit
The Buckfast Abbey Christmas Market is open from Thursday 1st December to Saturday 3rd December (10am – 5pm), with free entry and free on-site parking. Buckfast Abbey politely requests that visitors do not park on local side streets.
Buckfast Abbey is conveniently located midway between Exeter and Plymouth, just off the A38. Home to a community of Benedictine monks, the Abbey offers a unique, tranquil ambience, and is open seven days a week to the public. For more information on Buckfast Abbey visit https://www.buckfast.org.uk.