Devon and Cornwall have no shortage of delightful towns and villages you might like to visit. But we think that Tavistock deserves a special mention. The perfect Devon market town, with a proper bustling community, an award-winning Farmers' Market, a tranquil park, plenty of independent shops, and good places to eat, drink or stay.
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Special Feature:
Tavistock - the perfect Devon market town
Location
Tavistock is about 15 miles north of Plymouth, and not far from the Devon/Cornwall border (cross the River Tamar at nearby Gunnislake and you are in Cornwall). Tavistock sits at the foot of Dartmoor - head just a few miles to the east and you are on wild and open moorland. There are no trains to Tavistock (there used to be - but sadly the line is long gone and the station has now been tastefully converted to luxury holiday accommodation) - but Tavistock is well served by bus, with frequent services to and from Plymouth to the south, Okehampton to the north, Callington to the west and Dartmoor to the east.
The Bedford Hotel
Tavistock ***
Warm traditional hotel in the award-winning market town of Tavistock.
Favourite Things to Do in Tavistock
- Have coffee at the lovely Bedford Hotel (or better still, stay the night!)
- Walk in The Meadows - a tranquil park running alongside the River Tavy
- Stroll the "high street" - from West Street via Bedford Square and through to Duke Street and Brook Street - plenty of independent shops, cafes and a couple of restaurants
- Visit Crebers - Tavistock's famous 125-year-old traditional grocer and delicatessen. It's worth a visit simply for the lovely smell of fresh roast coffee beans!
- Drive (or take a bus) onto nearby Dartmoor for a real breath of fresh air, fabulous views and a miles and miles of walks.
- Buy a Sunday Rover ticket for about £6.00, giving unlimited use of a wide network of bus and train services throughout the area
- Visit nearby Morwellham Quay, a museum and visitor centre based around an historic copper mine and port on the River Tamar
Very Brief History of Tavistock
Tavistock originally developed from its wool trade, with a monopoly to manufacture woollen cloths known as Tavistock Kersies. The wool trade flourished for many years, and the town prospered from its weekly markets, being the centre of a large farming district.
It also had the distinction of being one of the stannary towns where all the mined metal was weighed, stamped and assessed for duty.
In 1542 Tavistock's most famous son was born at a farm just down-stream on the River Tavy - he was to become Sir Francis Drake.
During the French wars of the 18th And 19th Century Tavistock was a “parole-town”; and captured French officers were allowed to be billeted in the town and roam within strict limits.
Tavistock itself is unique for its green stone buildings, many of which were built with stone taken from the Abbey when it was demolished after the Dissolution.
The town’s focal point is Bedford Square, flanked by the Parish Church (St Eustachius) and the Town Hall.
Nearby are most of the existing remains of the Abbey, the most picturesque being the Court Gate, an archway leading from Bedford Square to Guildhall Square. The archway houses the Museum and the “Subscription Library” -one of the oldest private libraries in Devon. A section of the Abbey's cloister walling still stands in the Churchyard across the road and some of the 13th Century foundation work of the Abbey church – including a tiled pavement – can also be seen there.
(Source: Tavistock Town Council. Click here for more detail)
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