Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY?</h2>



<p>A rare UNESCO World Heritage Site it may be but Tavi (to the locals) is no museum piece. Sitting pretty on the River Tavy, this stannary town&#8217;s high street and famous Pannier Market are vibrant and busy. If you like Harrogate, you&#8217;ll love <a href="https://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tavistock </a>– and positively swoon over the abundance of Georgian and Victorian architecture, although here being close to the moors it&#8217;s known for its higher than average rainfall. </p>



<p>It&#8217;s known as the Western Gateway to Dartmoor, but you might not want to leave as Tavistock has plentiful amenities, including a swimming pool, cinema and supermarkets. It&#8217;s old-fashioned but in a good way, with tourists who are more likely to be here for moor-walking than hell-raising (not that locals would allow it). The former government announced that funds from the axed HS2 are to be reallocated towards re-opening the town train station, defunct since the late 1960s. A much hoped-for opening is in 2029, although locals would tell you not to hold your breath.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="790" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/01/cornisharms-interior.jpg" alt="The Cornish Arms" class="wp-image-52284" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/01/cornisharms-interior.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/01/cornisharms-interior-800x632.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/01/cornisharms-interior-768x607.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/01/cornisharms-interior-665x525.jpg 665w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The Cornish Arms</figcaption></figure>



<p>Ask anyone in town and they will send you to either <a aria-label="The Cornish Arms (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thecornisharmstavistock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cornish Arms</a> (a Top 50 Gastropub with a Michelin Bib Gourmand), or <a aria-label="Taylors (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.taylorstavistock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taylors</a>, for everything from a full English brekkie to a bottomless brunch. Tavistock lays claim to inventing the cream tea (sorry, Cornwall), so no surprise, it rocks a good café culture, with <a aria-label="Church Lane (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.churchlanetavistock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Church Lane</a> nailing the al fresco courtyard vibe (and cocktails and pizza) and its cool new sister premises, Muddy Award-winning bar <a href="https://76tavistock.co.uk">SeventySix</a>. <a aria-label="The Lemon Grove (opens in a new tab)" href="https://lemongrovecafe.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lemon Grove</a> does proper local ice cream and gluten-free, while <a href="https://theannextavistock.co.uk">The Annex</a> is a contemporary go-to for coffee, wine and tapas and there&#8217;s an over-25s, dog-friendly wine bar with comfy sofas, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/drakeswinebartavistock/">Drakes</a>. </p>



<p>If you&#8217;re planning a recce, check out <a aria-label="One Drake Road (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.onedrakeroad.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">One Drake Road</a> – this boutique stay is <em>so</em> stylish you&#8217;ll leave with loads of interior ideas, the shepherd&#8217;s huts at <a href="https://www.blatchfordbriar.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blatchford Briar</a> or the nearby <a href="https://www.thehornofplenty.co.uk">Horn of Plenty</a> for country country house vibes. For a real treat, <a href="https://thepolizzicollection.com/hotel-endsleigh/">Hotel Endsleigh</a> at Milton Abbot, an Olga Polizza hotel and restaurant is an unmissable for a posh cream tea and Humphrey Repton landscaped gardens. Here&#8217;s also the Muddy-Award winning <a href="https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/meadowlands-leisure-pool/your-centre/chill-caf-eacute/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chill Café</a> at the <a href="http://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/meadowlands-leisure-pool/">Meadowlands Leisure Centre</a>, bringing healthy, colourful food and smoothies to fitness fans.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/IMG_5127.jpg" alt="Tavistock Pannier Market" class="wp-image-58900" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/IMG_5127.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/IMG_5127-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/IMG_5127-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/IMG_5127-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/09/IMG_5127-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tavistock Pannier Market</figcaption></figure>



<p>The beating heart of the town is the leafy square with its imposing parish church St Eustachius, a town hall and buzzing Tues-Sat <a aria-label="Pannier Market (opens in a new tab)" href="https://tavistock.gov.uk/council-services/pannier-market" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pannier Market</a>. While there are a few chains dotted about – White Stuff and Fatface to name a few – there&#8217;s a healthy indie scene, including the most instagrammed spot in town <a aria-label="Odds &amp; Buds Florist (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.oddsandbuds.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Odds &amp; Buds Florist</a>. We rate <a aria-label="Inside Out Home (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.insideouthome.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inside Out Home</a> for gifts and locally-sourced bits for your home, and for boutiques there&#8217;s <a href="https://thirteentavistock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thirteen</a> and <a href="https://www.brigidfoley.co.uk/shop_closed.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brigid Foley</a> for designer clothes and accessories.</p>



<p>Grocery shopping is a doddle thanks to a whopping choice of five supermarkets, but the Saturday morning queues around the market, and especially outside the colourful Mediterranean deli, <a aria-label="De la Torres (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.delatorres.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">De la Torres</a> (home-made pasta and tiramisu) and the dangerously tempting <a href="https://countrycheeses.co.uk/">Country Cheeses</a>, show Tavi isn&#8217;t slacking when it comes to excellent local produce. Plus, <a aria-label="Roots &amp; Vines (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.rootsandvines.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roots &amp; Vines</a> for sustainably sourced groceries (and oodles of local gin), a butchers, and <a href="https://soilandsea.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Soil and Sea</a> (formerly Eversfield Organic) for your weekly veg box. For the sweet-toothed, we love the unique (gluten-free) flavours coming out of <a aria-label="The Flapjackery (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.flapjackery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Flapjackery</a> and the <a href="https://boutiqueginshack.co.uk">Boutique Gin Shack</a> where you can taste and buy over 70 local artisan gins. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>You can go swimming in the 25m pool at <a href="https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/meadowlands-leisure-pool/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Meadowlands</a>, use the gym or try a high range of fitness, yoga, circuits classes. Kids will love the Wet &amp; Wild sessions that feature a lazy river and water slide. Health is covered by Tavyside Health Centre and Abbey Surgery, a choice of town centre dentists and a <a href="https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/miu-at-tavistock-hospital/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Minor Injuries Unit</a> on Spring Hill. <a href="https://printworkstavistock.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Printworks</a> offers weekly classes, including yoga, Tai Chi, and dance. The famous <a href="https://www.mountkelly.com/swim-centre/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Swim Centre</a> at Mount Kelly School, houses the Olympic Legacy 50m&nbsp;Pool, featuring eight lanes, Olympic starting blocks, underwater 5m sprint markings and a Pool Pod to assist with&nbsp;accessibility. It also offers school crash courses and aqua-aerobics.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Tavistock is super-friendly and welcoming community, with the leisure centre, The Wharf and Printworks all great places to meet people and join courses, classes, talks and events. The town is home to an array of <a href="https://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/whats-on" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">annual festivals and events</a>, from bi-monthly Farmers and art markets, to its famous autumn Goose Fair, which dates back to the 12th century, and a popular Dickensian Evening when the shops dress up in traditional style for Christmas. You&#8217;ll also find a thriving community of local producers, makers and artisans inside Butcher&#8217;s Hall. As a <a href="https://transitiontavistock.org.uk/">Transition Town</a>, locals come together for regular meeting and events around climate issues.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-attractions">NEARBY ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/lydford-gorge.jpg" alt="Lydford Gorge" class="wp-image-68468" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/lydford-gorge.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/lydford-gorge-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/lydford-gorge-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/08/lydford-gorge-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lydford Gorge</figcaption></figure>



<p>Er, Dartmoor and the beautiful Tamar Valley! <a aria-label="The National Park  (opens in a new tab)" href="https://visitdartmoor.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The National Park </a>bookends the town, a few minutes&#8217; trot away, with its monumental granite tors, wild ponies, and opportunities for horse riding at <a href="https://www.cholwellridingstables.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cholwell Stables</a>, fishing in the River Tavy, walking (obvs), letterboxing and wild swimming. If you can&#8217;t cope without a beach, the Cornwall border is but a 15 min drive with Port Isaac, Padstow and Newquay all around 50 miles&#8217; distance. Just down the road is the National Trust-owned <a aria-label="Buckland Abbey (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buckland Abbey</a> (former home of Sir Francis Drake); <a aria-label="The Garden House (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.thegardenhouse.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Garden House</a>, a pretty 10-acre garden with an excellent café; <a aria-label="Morwellham Quay (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Morwellham Quay</a> one-time port for the local copper mines, and <a aria-label="Lydford Gorge (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lydford Gorge</a>, above, the south-west&#8217;s deepest gorge with its stunning 30m waterfall. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE </h2>



<p>For live music, cinema, theatre and a bar in town, head to <a href="https://tavistockwharf.com/home">Tavistock Wharf Arts Centre</a> or further afield you have Plymouth 25 mins down the A386, with <a aria-label="The Box (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.theboxplymouth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Box</a>, a newly revamped multi-million pound museum, gallery and archive, the <a aria-label="Theatre Royal (opens in a new tab)" href="https://theatreroyal.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Theatre Royal</a> and <a href="https://plymouthpavilions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth Pavilions</a> for gigs and comedy, along with the indie quarter The Barbican for cool shops, bars and night life.  For arts and crafts classes and workshops, you have <a href="https://printworkstavistock.org.uk">The Printworks</a> in what was formerly the town&#8217;s printing press, in a beautiful Grade 2 listed Arts and Crafts building. Cornwall&#8217;s <a href="https://www.edenproject.com">Eden Project </a>with its biomes, exhibitions and Summer Sessions, which has attracted the likes of Kylie, Elbow and Stereophonics in recent years, is an hour&#8217;s drive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Like most of Devon, prices are up, but only by 4% with detached houses going for £493,000 and terraces for an average of £253,000, with flats going for £193,000.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="707" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/whitchurch-tavistock.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-67877" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/whitchurch-tavistock.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/whitchurch-tavistock-800x566.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2024/07/whitchurch-tavistock-768x543.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Gorgeous villa with a granny annexe needed? Check out this 5-6 bed beauty. <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/whitchurch-road-tavistock-devon-pl19/EXE012431086" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market with Knight Frank for £1.25m</a>.</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES </h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a nursery for children aged 2+ yrs at <a href="https://www.tavistock-pri.devon.sch.uk/website" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tavistock Primary &amp; Nursery </a>School (rated Good by Ofsted) and for babies and younger kids, <a href="https://www.thecabindaynursery.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Cabin Day Nursery</a> who are licensed in the Thrive Approach, a dynamic, neuroscience &nbsp;informed way of meeting the emotional and social needs of children. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p><a aria-label="St Rumon's Infants (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.strumonsinfants.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Rumon&#8217;s Infants</a> is rated Good by Ofsted, Tavistock College and the locals&#8217; choice <a aria-label="St Stephens Community Academy (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.ststephenscornwall.co.uk/web" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Stephens Community Academy</a> in Launceston 13 miles away is rated Good. There&#8217;s also the private boarding and day co-ed for aged 3 – 18 yrs at <a aria-label="Mount Kelly (opens in a new tab)" href="https://www.mountkelly.com/about-us/school-guide/history/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mount Kelly</a>, with its famous swim centre. Catholic kids also go to <a href="http://www.ndonline.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Notre Dame</a> in Plymouth, while bright sparks go to one of three separate boys and girls <a href="https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/11-plus#:~:text=Plymouth%20has%203%20Grammar%20Schools." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">grammar schools</a> in Plymouth.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-kept-secret">BEST KEPT SECRET</h2>



<p>Victoria&#8217;s Secret and M&amp;S model, Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley is a Devon maid, who grew up on a farm in Tavistock. The Kink&#8217;s bass player, Pete Quaife, was born in the town, while the Elizabethan explorer, Sir Francis Drake was born nearby and mayor of the town. The three bronze panels on the Drake statue at Fitzford depict key moments of his life and career, including the iconic story of finishing his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe while the Spanish Armada approached. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>The nearest station is over the Tamar in Cornwall at Gunnislake, not quite so bad as it sounds as it&#8217;s only 5 miles away. From here it&#8217;s 45 mins to Plymouth or by car, Plymouth is 25 mins and Exeter is an hour away via the A30. The good news is that HS2 funds have been promised to reinstate the town&#8217;s train service to Bere Alston, potentially paving the way to a Tavistock-Plymouth line as part of the 20-year plan of the Peninsula Rail Task Force.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a class="" href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Tavistock

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