The parish church of St Michael the Archangel, Chagford. St Michael's Church occupies an ancient site in the heart of Chagford, a medieval stannary Dartmoor town. The present Grade 1 building is largely 15th century but bears echoes of the early medieval church dedicated in 1261.

As well as a place of worship it had become increasingly used by the wider community for special occasions. The scheme for reordering includes the creation of flexible open space, the reopening of a blocked-up medieval doorway providing a level, light and welcoming access and new heating and lighting. The ringers' gallery previously enclosed has been extended out into the nave over a new toilet and kitchen and above the gallery the fine stained-glass West window has now resumed casting its multi-coloured light into the body of the church. The completed works have had a significant visual impact on the quality of the space and light within the church and with the provision of the new access and key amenities there will be a fuller and more flexible use of this very fine building.

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The new Garden Reception and Tea Room are designed to reflect the architectural character and quality of the site and yet be utilitarian and subservient to its setting and an existing small garden shed was cited as an appropriate example.  The requirements were for a welcoming reception area with related exhibition space and National Trust Shop, a tea room and kitchen with an adjacent tea lawn, new toilets.  The National Trust pursues an active policy on sustainability and environmental matters which had to be taken fully into account in the design and construction of this project.  Full disabled access was an essential consideration.

The building fabric is restrained and minimal in its expression being clad in corrugated sheeting with a simple pitched roof, and sited so not to intrude upon the landscape and garden.  The walls and roofs are carefully detailed using corrugated sinusoidal profile, with minimal and precise flashing details to emulate the traditional detailing but with a contemporary crispness and accuracy.  The buildings are steel framed with all exposed roof timbers and external joinery timber in untreated English Oak.

In contrast to the simple and austere exterior, the interiors are warm and inviting.  The walls are lined in oak boarding with floors of smooth-ground concrete paviors.  The linoleum faced oak joinery desk, shop fittings and servery provide rich and earthy colours; the high level of craftsmanship achieved and attention to detail hinting at the richness to be found in the main house.  A rich interior within a plain but elegant garden shed.

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Buckfast Abbey, refounded by Benedictine monks on the site of a mediaeval Cistercian abbey, decided to restore Southgate, its original entrance building, to provide both improved facilities and a retreat for visitors.  The mediaeval shell was retained, and a new structural steel framework inserted within, while an adjacent Victorian school was incorporated into the scheme as a conference room and integrated by means of a contemporary link.

The extensive links to the highly important Grade II* Stables and adjoining Grade I House are discretely sited in the historic landscape “clump” and forms part of the entrance for visitors to the gardens and House and provides panoramic views out over the parkland and on to the wildlife in the old cart wash pond.

The restaurant provides meals and refreshments during the day for visitors to the house and to the parkland.  The facility also provides evening restaurant facilities as well as space for business conferences, entertainment and concerts.

The restrained use of materials and direct detailing correspond with the nature of the historic service buildings to which it is attached and provide contemporary, light and open spaces.