From Ashburton a detour can be made to Totnes, which lies off Dartmoor. The road passes close to Buckfastleigh (pop. 2,530) and Buckfast Abbey, on the banks of the Dart. Originally a Benedictine foundation (1018), the abbey was taken over by the Cistercians in 1147. In 1882 the Benedictines reestablished themselves there, subsequently building a
large new church (1907-37).
Buckfastleigh is also home to the Buckfastleigh Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary. The South Devon Railway also operates a heritage railway between Totnes and Buckfastleigh. The trains run daily from late March to the end of October.