Short answer: Yes, in the grounds. Dogs are welcome across the gardens and woodland walks at Buckland Abbey, though not inside the historic buildings. It sits between Tavistock and Plymouth with Dartmoor a few minutes east.
Yes, outside. Dogs are welcome in the gardens and on the woodland walks. The abbey buildings themselves are assistance dogs only, as at every National Trust property with historic interiors.
Buckland Abbey was Francis Drake's house, a former Cistercian abbey with a great barn, a cider press, gardens and woodland walks running down towards the Tavy valley. There is a walk down from the car park to the abbey itself, which sets the tone — this is a place designed to be walked around.
Parts of the site are wheelchair accessible, though steps limit some areas. The café is good and the volunteers are consistently described as knowledgeable.
You are between Tavistock and Plymouth with Dartmoor a few minutes east. Tavistock's Meadows is a large free park between the River Tavy and the canal, with a zip wire, pump track and two cafés. Lydford Gorge is fifteen minutes north — dogs on leads, though some sections are unsafe for them.
Bellever Forest out on the high moor is dog friendly throughout, with forestry tracks, a shallow river and wild ponies.
The Cornish Arms in Tavistock does near-Michelin cooking at pub prices and takes dogs in the bar. Granito Lounge on Brook Street is dog friendly and serves food until ten, which is unusual in a moorland town.
Dog policies change, and the consequence of getting it wrong is being turned away at the gate. This was checked in September 2026 — ring ahead if you are driving any distance.
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