Pictures of Tavistock

a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon

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About Tavistock

This pleasant market town plays host to what is possibly Devon's most entertaining annual fair, the Goose Fair, normally celebrated in the second week of October.

Interest in the town centres on the fast flowing River Tavy, whose banks straddle most of the area. The areas other waterway the Tavistock Canal can be followed on foot along its tow-path until it disappears into a tunnel. The canal was closed in around 1880, its barge trade being overtaken by the development of the railways. However, today its paths are impressive, offering a wonderful way to explore the picturesque Tamar valley.

Early history of Tavistock focuses on tin mining, this had given the region stability for many years before the 14th-century, when in 1305 the town rose to the importance associated with a Stannery Town established by Royal Decree.

The town gained its market charter in 1105 from King Henry I, this continues to this day and adds to the vibrancy and popularity of Tavistock, drawing in visitors from far and wide.

Earlier still a great abbey was founded here, this was in 974 AD. The abbey was founded by Ordulph, Earl of Devonshire, it was sited beside the River Tavy as a community house for Benedictine monks. Despite raids by Vikings when parts of the abbey were destroyed by fire, the abbey was later repaired and grew to be one of the most magnificent and influential religious houses in the West Country. All this ceased with Henry VIII's desire to marry Anne Boleyn, which brought about the Dissolution. Today there remains only fragments of the abbey, and apart from the medieval parish church of St. Eustachius, Tavistock is almost entirely of 19th-century build.

Tavistock is the birth-place of that great sea-faring hero Sir Francis Drake, who was born at Crowndale farm just south of the town in 1542. Close to the town visitors can see a fine statue of him, this is situated on the road to Plymouth, the port where he famously played a genteel game of bowls before setting out to beat the might of the Spanish Armada.


The town stands on the western edge of Dartmoor, in what is mostly an area of outstanding natural beauty, as such it offers a wealth of scenic beauty, lively places to visit including the famous indoor market and has many specialist shops to explore. It is rich in atmospheric inns and has plenty of restaurants, a fine theatre and entertainment complex, plus a lovely riverside park.

Tavistock, with its easy access to the treasures of the Dartmoor National Park, makes an ideal base for exploring the beautiful surrounding countryside, quaint Devonian villages, the rivers Tamar and Tavy, several National Trust properties, and Morwellham Quay which was once the centre of tin and copper mining, but is now transformed to offer a pleasant, informative family day out.

Tavistock lies between Launceston and Plymouth, it is therefore ideally situated for both coast and country holidays.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Tavistock

Tavistock Abbey	(0.2 miles, 0.2 km)	Pictures
Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement	(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction E)	Pictures
Buckland Abbey	(4.8 miles, 7.7 km, direction S)	Pictures
Cotehele	(5.4 miles, 8.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Lydford Castle	(6.5 miles, 10.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Lydford Gorge	(6.5 miles, 10.5 km, direction N)	Pictures
Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre	(8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Dartmoor National Park	(10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction E)	Pictures
Grey Wethers Stone Circle	(11.0 miles, 17.7 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Dartmoor Wildlife Park	(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Lawrence House	(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Launceston Castle	(11.5 miles, 18.6 km, direction NW)	Pictures
Dartmeet	(11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction E)	Pictures
Saltram House	(12.0 miles, 19.3 km, direction S)	Pictures
Antony House	(12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction S)	Pictures

All attractions in Tavistock
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Recommended towns near Tavistock

Yelverton, in the county of Devon (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction SE)
Yelverton, by-passed by the picturesque River Meavy is situated on the south-western fringes of Dartmoor. It is a quaint little town surrounded by fine scenery with easy access to some of the loveliest places on Dartmoor.
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Princetown, in the county of Devon (6.8 miles, 11.0 km, direction E)
Princetown is the highest village within the Dartmoor National Park, some call it the bleakest centre of the moors which is probably largely due to the town being the home of notorious Dartmoor Prison.
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Two Bridges, in the county of Devon (7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction E)
Two Bridges is the junction of the two major routes across central Dartmoor, and thus attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
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Callington, in the county of Cornwall (8.4 miles, 13.5 km, direction W)
The little town of Callington can be found a short distance from the River Tamar and is close to the River Lynher, in a quiet region which was once known for its prosperous tin mines.
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Saltash, in the county of Cornwall (10.4 miles, 16.8 km, direction S)
Famous for its two great bridges than span the River Tamar, this little town, known as 'the gateway to Cornwall' is both pretty and interesting.
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Postbridge, in the county of Devon (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction E)
Postbridge is a tiny hamlet, yet this richly wooded area, at the heart of the moor has become a natural starting point for the thousands of visitors who annually come to explore the splendour and wonders of the moor.
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Launceston, in the county of Cornwall (11.4 miles, 18.3 km, direction NW)
There is a restless beauty about this stunning region, it has constantly changing vista's, the beautiful stone of enchanting houses glows in the warmth of the sun.
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Dartmeet, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction E)
A popular tourist and beauty spot on Dartmoor. It is the meeting point of the two major tributaries of the River Dart: the East...
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Plymouth, in the county of Devon (12.5 miles, 20.0 km, direction S)
This is a city that evokes stirring memories of England's great maritime past.
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Okehampton, in the county of Devon (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction NE)
There has been a settlement at Okehampton since the Bronze-Age, later it became a prosperous Saxon town with the Saxon Lords being overthrown at the time of the Conquest.
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Gidleigh, in the county of Devon (14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction NE)
The small wooded village of Gidleigh stands in superb wooded countryside at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park.
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Brixton, in the county of Devon (14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction S)
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Buckland in the Moor, in the county of Devon (14.7 miles, 23.7 km, direction E)
This is one of Devon's "dream villages" with an attractive small church dating from the 13th century and a cluster of picturesque thickly thatched country cottages with the most "English" of country gardens.
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Cawsand, a Picturesque Village in the county of Cornwall (15.6 miles, 25.1 km, direction S)
A picturesque ex-smuggling village in Cornwall
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Chagford, in the county of Devon (15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction NE)
With haunting scenery, quaint cottages, pretty streets and alleyways Chagford has something for everyone.
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All towns in Devon
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Nearby travel help

Gunnislake Station	(4.3 miles, 6.8 km, direction SW)
Calstock Station	(4.6 miles, 7.4 km, direction SW)
Plymouth City Airport	(8.9 miles, 14.4 km, direction S)
M5 Junction 31	(29.0 miles, 46.6 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 30	(31.9 miles, 51.3 km, direction E)
Exeter Airport	(34.1 miles, 54.9 km, direction E)
Tavistock to London	(187.1 miles, 301.0 km, direction E)

Hotels & Accommodation in Tavistock

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Tavistock center
Bedford Hotel	(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)
Browns Tavistock	(0.2 miles, 0.4 km)
The Coachouse Hotel & Restaurant	(2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction W)
The Old School Guesthouse	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction SE)
Moorlands Links Hotel	(5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction S)
Two Bridges Hotel	(6.7 miles, 10.7 km, direction E)
Fox & Hounds Hotel	(8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction N)
Lifton Hall Hotel	(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction NW)
The Moorland Hotel	(9.0 miles, 14.5 km, direction SE)
Future Inn Plymouth	(9.1 miles, 14.7 km, direction S)
All hotels in Tavistock