TAVISTOCK

A market town situated on the River Tavy below the slopes of Dartmoor 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.

BENEDICTINE ABBEY

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.

GOOSE FAIR

The annual Goose Fair in Tavistock dates back to the early 12th century, 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. Market traders come from all over the country to sell their wares and provideentertainment.Stalls and side shows are set up in the centre of the Town.

More Old Tavistock Photos

Tavistock enjoys a full calendar of events throughout the year.
Tavistock is truly the food centre of the South West, having won 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.

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