Hotels in Tavistock

Tavistock is a wonderful market town on the western edge of Dartmoor, situated by the picture-postcard river Tavy. The town is beautiful and distinguished with even the police station being a mini Castle. Busy by day, quiet and relaxed in the evenings. Tavistock can trace its history back as far as AD 974 when Tavistock Abbey was founded. Its ruins can still be seen in the centre of town. A traditional market town, the neighbourhood's wealth was originally founded upon the rich resources of copper, tin, lead and other valuable metals which used to be mined in the area. Tavistock's most famous son is Sir Francis Drake who became the hero of England when he led a famous victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588. Drake also circumnavigated the globe and founded one of the first municipal water supplies in the country. A statue erected in his honour can be seen on the road out of town to Plymouth. In modern times, Tavistock is a bustling town with a surprisingly wide range of local family owned shops, which also serve many of the outlying villages. Tavistock's 900 year old Pannier Market (named after the baskets used to carry goods) is as busy as ever. Tuesday to Saturday 9-4, you can browse the large indoor market which hosts stalls containing all sorts of locally produced goods, wares and food.