New Abbot’s Way Café opens on Dartmoor with blessing and book signing

A new café inspired by one of Dartmoor’s best-known historic routes has officially opened its doors to the public this week.

The Abbot’s Way Café, located near Buckfast Abbey, welcomed its first customers on Thursday, March 26, offering a relaxed space for walkers, locals and visitors exploring Dartmoor.

Named after the ancient Abbot’s Way, a route believed to date back to medieval times linking Buckfast Abbey with Tavistock Abbey, the café draws on the area’s rich monastic and walking heritage. Historically, the path is thought to have been used by monks travelling across the moor between the two religious houses, transporting goods such as wool and tin.

Inside the café, that history is reflected in displays featuring those who have walked the Abbot’s Way over the years, including monks and staff connected to Buckfast Abbey, creating a visual tribute to the route’s enduring legacy.

Ahead of opening, the café received a blessing from Abbot David Charlesworth OSB, marking what organisers described as a meaningful link between the new venture and the abbey’s long-standing presence on Dartmoor.

Adding to the launch celebrations, author Nick Pannell was at the café for a special book signing event, giving visitors the opportunity to meet him and purchase a copy of his work exploring the historic route.

The café will serve barista coffee alongside cakes and light snacks, with both indoor seating and an outdoor area available for customers.

With its focus on heritage, hospitality and the outdoors, organisers hope the Abbot’s Way Café will become a popular stopping point for those exploring the moor.

Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 4pm