Founded as an Augustinian abbey in the 1150s, Hartland was reputedly the last monastery in England surrendered to Henry VIII before it passed into private hands; the Stucley family live here still. Their walled gardens sit up the valley, set back from the Atlantic gales, with woodland walks dropping towards the sea near Hartland Quay. Open on selected days in the season — check ahead. Barnstaple station is a long way off, about 32km east.
