Tavistock

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.

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, 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


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.

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



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!

Sleep

 * Various Bed and Breakfasts are situated along Plymouth Road.

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.