Buckland Abbey’s apple trees get a rude awakening

On Sunday 8 January from 12 noon, Buckland Abbey will be hosting its annual Wassail in the orchards. This traditional ritual aims to scare away the spirits and wake up the apple trees from their winter slumber to ensure a bumper crop the following autumn.

Helping with proceedings at, will be members of the Dartmoor Border Morris

Members of the public are invited not only to watch this New Year event steeped in tradition and myth, but to join in. The aim is to clatter pots, pans and other noisy objects, to help wake up the apple trees. Helping with proceedings will be members of the Dartmoor Border Morris side.

Richard Burrow, Visitor Experience Officer at Buckland Abbey said: ‘Our annual wassail has always been a key date in the estate calendar. This free event gives us a fantastic opportunity to come together with the local community to celebrate an ancient tradition and taste some delicious apple treats.’

Buckland Abbey has always had links back to cider and cider making. The Great Barn was often used to press the apple harvest to extract the juice and make cider. In the past this was vitally important as water wasn’t drinkable and everyone, including children, drank cider or small beer.

For this first time, the Buckland Abbey estate is also open at the weekends for winter walks from 10am-4pm, with the Abbey itself reopening its doors on 11 February after its annual conservation clean.

Normal admission charges apply, Trust members go free.