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, though being this close to the moors does mean a little more rainfall than average. </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). On the transport front, there is a long-awaited hope to reinstate the town’s train service to Bere Alston, potentially paving the way for a Tavistock–Plymouth line as part of the Peninsula Rail Task Force’s 20-year plan. With hopes pinned on 2029, the return of rail could one day make Tavistock even better connected.</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="1333" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/04/taylors.jpg" alt="Taylors Tavistock " class="wp-image-75062" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/04/taylors.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/04/taylors-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/04/taylors-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/04/taylors-768x1024.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></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>, (above, under new ownership) 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 sister premises, Muddy Award-winning bar <a href="https://76tavistock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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. Here&#8217;s also the Muddy-Award winning <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Chill-Coffee-Shops-100092310106184/?locale=en_GB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chill Coffee Shops</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>



<p>For a real treat, <a href="https://thepolizzicollection.com/hotel-endsleigh/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hotel Endsleigh</a> at Milton Abbot, an Olga Polizzi hotel and restaurant is an unmissable for a posh cream tea and wander around the Humphrey Repton landscaped gardens. </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 a good range of curated designer clothes there&#8217;s <a href="https://thirteentavistock.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Thirteen</a>.</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 Torre&#8217;s</a> (home-made pasta and tiramisu) and the dangerously tempting <a href="https://countrycheeses.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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), or 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">Flapjackery</a> and the <a href="https://boutiqueginshack.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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>New kid on the block, <a href="https://www.fireandblissyoga.co.uk/studio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fire &amp; Bliss Studio</a>, is pleasing the local yoga bunnies with its comprehensive range of classes from vinyasa flow, Hatha and Ashtanga to pregnancy yoga. 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. 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 a 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/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">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="1001" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/06/The-garden-at-Buckland-Abbey-©National-Trust-ImagesSophie-Bolesworth.jpg" alt="National Trust Buckland Abbey Devon  credit Sophie Bolesworth " class="wp-image-77075" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/06/The-garden-at-Buckland-Abbey-©National-Trust-ImagesSophie-Bolesworth.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/06/The-garden-at-Buckland-Abbey-©National-Trust-ImagesSophie-Bolesworth-800x534.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/06/The-garden-at-Buckland-Abbey-©National-Trust-ImagesSophie-Bolesworth-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/06/The-garden-at-Buckland-Abbey-©National-Trust-ImagesSophie-Bolesworth-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Credit National Trust / Sophie Bolesworth </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> (above, 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>, 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" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tavistock Wharf Arts Centre</a>. A quick 25 minutes down the A386 brings you to Plymouth 25 mins, with heavyweights like <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>, <a href="https://plymouthpavilions.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Plymouth Pavilions</a> for gigs and comedy, plus the indie vibes of The Barbican with its cool shops, bars and night life. Back in town, <a href="https://printworkstavistock.org.uk">The Printworks</a> &#8211; once the local printing press, now a beautiful Grade 2 listed Arts and Crafts building &#8211; hosts a packed programme of creative classes and workshops. And if you&#8217;re up for a day trip, Cornwall&#8217;s world-famous <a href="https://www.edenproject.com">Eden Project </a>is just an hour away with its iconic biomes, exhibitions and Summer Sessions, which has attracted the likes of Kylie, Elbow and Stereophonics.</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 £463k and terraces for an average of £266k 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="1179" height="784" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/dennathrone-tavistock.jpeg" alt="contemporary home for sale in Tavistock " class="wp-image-78507" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/dennathrone-tavistock.jpeg 1179w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/dennathrone-tavistock-800x532.jpeg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/dennathrone-tavistock-1000x665.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2025/08/dennathrone-tavistock-768x511.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1179px) 100vw, 1179px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">How about a <a href="https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/dennathorne-down-road-tavistock-devon-pl19/exe012448125" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">4-bed contemporary home</a> with cinema room? Yours for £1.25m.</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>Tavistock has its fair share of famous faces: Victoria&#8217;s Secret and M&amp;S model, Rosie Huntingdon-Whiteley is a Devon babe, who grew up on a farm here. The Kinks&#8217; bass player, Pete Quaife, was born in town, and just down the road, Elizabethan explorer, Sir Francis Drake served as Tavistock’s mayor. His statue at Fitzford features three bronze panels depicting key moments of his life and career – including the iconic story of finishing his game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe as 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>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 260 Places to Live</a>.&nbsp;</p>


Tavistock

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