Hartland, near Bideford
Devon
England
Historic County: DevonshireCirca Date: Primarily 1705, incorporating earlier elements, w/18th & 19th century alterations and additions
Status: Partially Extant
Many Medieval elements destroyed in the 18th century
House Open to Public: Yes
Country House: Yes
The house from an 1830 engraving
House & Family History: Hartland Abbey was founded in the 12th century and served as an Augustinian abbey until 1539, when it was the last monastery in England to be dissolved by Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The king gave the abbey buildings to William Abbot, his sergeant of the wine cellar at Hampton Court, who converted what had been the abbot's lodging into a mansion. Abbot's descendants are still seated here today. During World War II the house was requisitioned by the British government for use by Highgate Junior School.
Collections: Hartland contains an important collection of 12th century court documents and a large collection of Victorian and Edwardian photographs.
Garden & Outbuildings: In the early 20th century Gertrude Jekyll was a frequent guest of Marion, Lady Stucley, at Hartland and created an Arts & Crafts garden for her that included the fernery, the camellia garden, and the bog garden. There are also 18th century walled gardens and a large collection of camellias, hydrangeas, daffodils, and narcissi.
Architect: George Gilbert Scott
Date: 1862Architect: Gertrude Jekyll
Date: Early 20th centuryJohn Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 111, 1855.
House Listed: Grade I
Park Listed: Not Listed
Current Seat / Home of: Sir Hugh George Copplestone Bampfylde Stucley, 6th Bt.
Past Seat / Home of: William Abbot, 16th century. Paul Orchard, 18th century. George Buckley, 19th century. Sir George Stucley Stucley, 1st Bt., until 1900; Lt.-Col. Sir William Lewis Stucley, 2nd Bt., 1900-11; Sir Edward Arthur George Stucley, 3rd Bt., 1911-27; Sir Hugh Nicholas Granville Stucley, 4th Bt., 1927-56; Sir Dennis Frederic Bankes Stucley, 5th Bt., 1956-83.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 01237-441-496
Fax: 01237-441-264
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.hartlandabbey.com
Awards: NPI National Heritage award winner 1998
Historic Houses Member: Yes