TAVISTOCK DEVON
National Park.The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England rate Tavistock
as the Best Market Town in the country. The town attracts a discerning food and art
loving crowd,with many unique individual shops.The town also boasts a thriving
market scene with a farmers market held on the town square twice a month and
a covered pannier market held five days a week which dates back to 1105.
In the heart of the town a beautiful 15th-century parish church can be found near
the 12th-century ruins of the Benedictine abbey.Tavistock is a former stannary town
with Saxon beginnings and an industrial past based on tin, cloth and copper.
Reputed to be the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake, his statue within the town is the original of the replica to be found on Plymouth Hoe.
when a Michelmas Fair held every September 29th provided the opportunity for
business and animal trading, and was a social event for wives and daughters.
The name Goose Fair probably came about as farmers brought their geese ready
for fattening for Christmas, and the only other Goose Fair (in Nottingham)
has a similar connection.
When the new calendar was introduced in 1752 the 'loss' of 11 days changed the
date of the Michelmas Fair to October 10th, and now the Fair is held on the
second Wednesday in October each year. The dates for the next few years are
8th October 2008 and 14th October 2009.
Market traders come from all over the country to sell their wares and provide
entertainment.Stalls and side shows are set up in the centre of the Town.
Tavistock enjoys a full calendar of events throughout the year. Highlights
include a Music Festival in April, a Food & Drink Festival in July,
a Balloon Fiesta in August,[not this year]Goose Fair in October and
a Dickensian Evening in December.
Tavistock Food Festival.
Next festival:Saturday & Sunday July 26th & 27th 2008.
Venue : Bedford Car Park off Plymouth Road, Tavistock.
Opening hours Saturday 09.00-17.00, Sunday 10.00-17.00.
the Best Food Town in the South West competition 2006 - 2007.
Renowned for the quality of it's food producers and retailers,it is
surrounded by cafes,pubs and restaurants serving high quality local food.
• Celebrity Chef demonstrations.
• New 200 seat demonstration theatre.
• 100's of top quality regional exhibitors.
• Farmers Market in Bedford Square.
Childrens Food Tent.
• Live Music.
• New large seating & eating area.
Red Ruby/Angus cross beef 21 days hung.
New store opening Oct.1st 8.00am in Milton Abbot.
Robertson's Organic Cafe and Pizzeria,Pepper St.Tavistock.01822 612117.
Christophers Restaurant Tel: 01822 617581 19 Plymouth Rd, Tavistock. PL19 8AU 3. Steps Restaurant Tel.: 01822 614280 75 West St, Tavistock. PL19 8AJ
C1910
