Tavistock Parish Church

Tavistock is a town in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor. It was the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake. The name comes from the River Tavy, which runs through the town.

Get in

By car

Tavistock is on the A386 from Plymouth to Okehampton, the B3357 from Princetown and the A390 into Cornwall.

By bus

Tavistock is also served by various DevonBus (+44 8706-082-608) routes:

• 79: from Callington via Gunnislake
• 83/84: from Plymouth via Yelverton
• 85/86: linking Plymouth and Barnstaple via Tavistock
• 98: from Yelverton via Princetown
• 185: Bere Ferrers/Bere Alston to Yelverton via Tavistock
• 186: from Okehampton via Launceston

By train

Regular trains run to Plymouth from London and Elsewhere (a change in Bristol may be needed). The nearest station is 1 Gunnislake station, which is on the Tamar Valley branch line from Plymouth. It is around 4.5 miles (6 km) from Tavistock, with direct buses between them.

Get around

Tavistock is a great centre for a holiday, particularly if you have a car.

A few bus services run through the town from the main station to housing areas and along Plymouth Road and Whitchurch Road, but the town centre is very small so can be walked easily.

See

The Viaduct from Banawell Street

Specific sights are not part of the town's appeal, it's just a thoroughly pleasant market town with good shops in a fine position.

• The Pannier Market In the centre of the town, full of interesting stalls during the daytime.
• The Viaduct Above the town, is also the start of a pleasant walk along the old railway line.
• 1 Morwellham Quay. 4 mi (6.4 km) to the west of Tavistock is a living history site featuring a mine, craft centre, port, brewery and railway. Adults £10.95; over 60, disabled and carers £9.95; children 3-16 years £8.95; children under 3 years old free; family (2 adults, 2 children) £34.95. (updated Sep 2017)
• 2 Lydford Gorge, Lydford, EX20 4BH (10 miles north of Tavistock), ☏ +44 1822 820320, lydfordgorge@nationaltrust.org.uk. A 1.5-mile-long (2.4 km) gorge. Owned and maintained by the National Trust. 
• 3 St Michael de Rupe Church, South Brentor, Brentor, PL19 0LP. A 12th-century church that sits atop of the tor overlooking Dartmoor. (updated Jun 2020)
• 4 The Garden House, Pound Rd, Buckland Monachorum PL20 7LQ, ☏ +44 1822 854769. Tu-Su 10:30AM-5PM. Extensive gardens on the edge of Dartmoor. Adult £12.80, child free. (updated Apr 2021)

Do

There aren't a lot of activities in Tavistock, as it is a small town.

• 1 Tavistock Wharf, 3 Canal Rd, PL19 8AR, ☏ +44 1822 611166. M-Sa 10AM-4:30PM, Su closed. Holds fairly regular music events and shows films – based near Plymouth Road. (updated Jan 2018)
• 2 Meadowlands Swimming Pool, The Wharf, PL19 8SP, ☏ +44 1822 617774. A swimming pool, based in the same area too. (updated Jan 2018)

Buy

• Pannier Market is the town marketplace. The Farmers Market is second and fourth Saturday of each month.
• Goose Fair is held on the second Wednesday in October.

Eat

There are small restaurants and takeaways in Tavistock.

Pasties are for sale in various places and are better than those in Cornwall, according to some, though don't say that within earshot of a Cornishman!

Drink

• 1 The Cornish Arms, 15 West St, PL19 8AN, ☏ +44 1822 612145. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su noon-10:30PM. A friendly pub near the centre of the town. (updated Jan 2018)
• 2 Jack Chams, 17-18 West St, PL19 8AN, ☏ +44 1822 614923. M-Th 1PM-1AM, F 1PM-1:20AM, Sa noon-2:20AM, Su noon-1AM. A rather more trendy venue, a few doors up the street from the Cornish. Bar upstairs, with a small dancefloor downstairs and a heated outdoor area. (updated Jan 2018)
• 3 Trout and Tipple, Parkwood Rd, PL19 0JS, ☏ +44 1822 618886. M closed; Tu-Th noon-3PM, 6PM-11PM; F Sa noon-11PM; Su noon-10:30PM. A CAMRA award-winning pub on the outskirts of town, but with a nice local feel to it. (updated Jan 2018)

Sleep

• Various Bed and Breakfasts are situated along Plymouth Road.
• 1 The Bedford Hotel, 1 Plymouth Rd, PL19 8BB, ☏ +44 1822 613221, reception@bedford-hotel.co.uk. Pet-friendly hotel with free Wi-Fi and a gym. From £70 per night (includes breakfast). 
• Browns, 80 West Street. 
• 2 The Horn of Plenty, Gulworthy PL19 8JD (off B3362), ☏ +44 1822 832528. Luxurious Victorian villa on the boundary of Cornwall and Devon, dog-friendly. B&B double £130. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Hotel Endsleigh, Milton Abbot PL19 0PQ (up Tamar valley), ☏ +44 1822 870000. Gorgeous Regency sporting lodge with extensive grounds, great for comfort and dining. B&B double £200. (updated Jun 2020)
• Moorland Links Hotel, Yelverton, Near Plymouth, PL20 6DA, ☏ +44 1822 852245. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. A well-located hotel for Dartmoor holidays situated as it is on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Set in 9 acres of beautiful grounds with views across the Tamar Valley. From £40. 
• 4 Tor Cottage, Chillaton, Lifton PL16 0JE, ☏ +44 1822 860248. Charming stylish B&B with five rooms up a bosky valley. With heated pool. Open Feb to mid-Dec, no children under 15, assistance dogs only. B&B double £130. (updated Jul 2020)
• Tavistock House Hotel, 50 Plymouth Rd PL19 8BU, ☏ +44 1822 481627. Smart, spotless hotel with six rooms in 1850 townhouse. No children under 9 or dogs. B&B double £110. (updated Jul 2020)

Connect

Tavistock and its approach roads have 4G from all UK carriers. As of Sept 2023, 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

Tavistock is a good base for exploring Dartmoor National Park and the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, as it borders both.

The road to Princetown provides great Moorland scenery all the way and passes the Dartmoor Inn at Merrivale.

A number of villages listed under Dartmoor are within easy access.

Brentor is a small village near Tavistock with a picturesque church on the top of a hill.