One hundred Christmas trees to light up Great Barn for Buckland Abbey’s ‘River of Light’

On Saturday 4 December, the medieval Great Barn at Buckland Abbey, near Plymouth opens its doors for Christmas 2021 with over a hundred twinkly trees and watery light illuminations. The ‘River of Light’ illuminations in the Great Barn have been inspired by the Cistercian monks who founded Buckland Abbey nearly 800 years ago and first arrived at their home by navigating their way along the River Tavy.

As visitors follow the twinkling lights of the trees, they will meander through the sparkling forest. But the path is not actually a path, it is a river of light to help visitors feel like they are walking through the nearby River Tavy. As visitors walk through the barn they will be immersed in the river of light which has been created using rippling lights of blue tone colours. You might also spot the odd fish or two on the side of the barn walls!

An army of volunteers have helped install all the Christmas trees in the barn. Visitors will see that the true community effort from volunteers runs through the whole of Buckland Abbey. Over sixty volunteers have helped with every little detail, from making evergreen arbours for the doorways, to dressing Christmas trees in the Abbey and sewing the Georgian staircase cascade.

For centuries rivers have been the veins that run through our cities and countryside: providing water for us to drink, grow crops and tranquil places to explore and escape. Today though, our rivers are in trouble - and so is the wildlife that depends on them. This means that some of our most important plants, insects, animals and birds are at risk and the ‘River of Light’ display is hoping to highlight this message.

Simon Thompson, Visitor Operations and Experience Manager said, “Buckland Abbey’s Great Barn is one of the largest medieval tithe barns left in England and throughout its history there are stories of it being a place where the community are brought together. This has continued into the modern day and there’s no better time than this festive season for families to come together in the Great Barn and reflect on the genuine Christmas.”

Eleanor Hopkinson, Visitor Experience Officer added, “Inside the Abbey, thousands of hours of needlework have been put into a beautifully detailed Christmas cascade. Fifteen talented volunteers from Buckland Abbey’s Costume Group have spent over a year sewing hundreds of individual pieces to create a cascade that hangs the full length of the Georgian staircase depicting the history of Buckland Abbey.”

A volunteer from the Costume Group said, “The cascade tells the story of Buckland Abbey back in Medieval times. This was a time when it was a busy place of work for the resident monks and the people of the surrounding villages. The cascade shows this rich period of history and was made throughout several lockdowns.”

There’s also more fun outdoors as Percy the Park Keeper and his friends will be taking over the Buckland Abbey gardens this Christmas with a fun family trail. From the 4th December until the 2nd January Percy and friends will be waiting with nature themed games and activities for young adventurers to take part in. Lend a helping hand with tasks such as building hedgehog the perfect den and working with the ducks to tell the weather forecast so Percy can get everything done this winter. The trail will cost £2 and include a letter from Percy and Percy’s hat as well as everything you need to complete the activities.

No New Year festivities are complete without a traditional Wassail. Every year at Buckland Abbey we make sure to wake the trees from their slumber to bring in a good harvest for next year. The celebrations will start from 12pm on Sunday 2nd January with a traditional mummers play and dancing which will be performed by the Dartmoor Border Moors. Everyone will then head down to the orchards to make as much noise as possible to wake the trees in a traditional Wassail. Pots, pans, and anything noisy will be needed to help chase away any bad luck in the hopes of getting a good harvest next year.

Buckland Abbey and the Great Barn is open daily from 4 December - 31 December. Check the website for opening times and the full list of family events, including local choirs, Elizabethan dancing and Olde Father Christmas. Go to nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey