Tavistock’s distinguished history sets it apart - with its UNESCO World Heritage Status, 900-year-old market and as the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake AND the Cream Tea!
If you're looking for things to do in in the area this year or simply wondering where to take your next break in Devon & Cornwall, there are many reasons to Visit Tavistock this year.
Jump to: What’s On | Family fun | Foodie feasts | Markets | Outdoor action | Stay
Eat & Drink Tavistock
Tavistock is an ancient market town renowned as being a foodie destination and you would expect a wealth of local food available to enjoy in town or to take away with you. Check out all the food & drink on offer in town. There are regular Street Food Festivals to enjoy, the annual Cream Tea Week to savour and Eat:Tavistock food festival, celebrating the very best of the region’s produce. If you are lucky, you might be in town when we hold one of our amazing Totally Locally promotions. Make sure the dates are in your diaries!
1. Street Food Festivals
Tavistock hosts Miss Ivy’s ever-popular street food festivals once again with 5 dates planned throughout the year. Pop down to Bedford Square for this fab community event where you can meet friends and enjoy delicious food!
Dates: 26th April; 24th May; 28th June; 26th July & 23rd August.
2. Eat:Tavistock | 4th May
Eat Festivals return to town after a hugely successful first outing in 2024. Bringing the very best West Country food and drink producers and artisans together in the streets of Tavistock on Sunday 4th May it’s sure to be a great day out. Sponsored by Tavistock’s own Flapjackery.
3. Cream Tea Week | 21st-29th June
As the true home of the Cream Tea, it’s only right that we celebrate our status with a festival. All week you can come and savour some delicious new Cream Tea flavours as our brilliant businesses get into the spirit of Best New Cream Tea competition. The festival will culminate with a Cream Tea Party in the centre of town on June 29th.
Heritage, Culture & Music
Tavistock is the only town in the whole of Devon to hold UNESCO World Heritage Status and we have a number of heritage events in our programme this year. We also have a thriving arts scene to dive into, as well as some exciting visiting exhibitions. Tavistock Wharf Arts Centre has a series of music events, films and lectures throughout the year.
4. Robey Trust Steam Fair | 1st June
Roll up, roll up for this year's Tavistock Steam & Vintage Fair hosted by Tavistock’s own Heritage Engineering Charity ‘The Robey Trust’. Held in the Bedford and Wharf Car Parks, the steam fair boasts steam-hauled trailer rides around town behind a selection of full-size steam vehicles; vintage tractors, classic cars, commercials, local crafts, model engineering collections, locally produced food and drink, and live music. Entry is just £3.50 per person (no concessions), which includes a free trailer ride.
5. Heritage Open Days | 12-21 September
Every year, Heritage Open Days brings people together to celebrate our remarkable heritage, community and history. Stories are told, traditions explored, and histories brought to life. It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.
6. Tavi Music & Arts Festival | 23 April – 10 May
15 DAYS of music and arts events in our beautiful market town, celebrating local music and art. Features concerts of a wide range of musical genres, lectures, art exhibitions and workshops, literary workshops and events, theatrical and dramatic performances and an arts market.
Described as a gem in the heart of Tavistock, the Guildhall Heritage Centre and visitor attraction is a must-see! A ‘gateway’ centre for information about the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site (WHS), the centre also tells the story of Tavistock’s mining past and of the building itself as one of England’s first purpose-built combined court and police stations. There are regular themed exhibitions.
Tavistock's Heritage Quarter can be found in the Guildhall Complex, next to Bedford Square and the Town Hall. Here you can unlock the secrets to Tavistock's impressive heritage as you visit The Guildhall Heritage Centre, Tavistock Museum, Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall and Tavistock Subscription Library, one of the smallest private libraries in the country.
Enjoy Tavistock
Whether you happen to be in the area or wish to plan your visit to Tavistock coincide with some of our other events, there is something worth visiting for every month of the year. We have picked out some highlights but our What’s On pages are full of inspiration.
9. Tavistock Country Garden Show | Bank Holiday 25th & 26th May
This established annual show looks to celebrate all things garden related, with a 'grow it - eat it - enjoy it' theme. The Pannier Market, Market Perimeter and Bedford Square will be packed full of show gardens, plants, and garden/outdoors related products. Local charities talk about the great work that they are doing locally to help protect our environment. Visitors can enjoy food, drink & music. In Butchers Hall, a "Nature Inspired Market" features traders who have all taken inspiration from the world around us when creating their range of fantastic locally made goods.
10. Tavistock Pride
Tavistock Pride is an annual parade and day festival which brings together the LGBT+ community and their friends in celebration, creating a voice for those in Tavistock, West Devon and the surrounding areas. The event begins with a parade and culminates in a festival with music, dancing, food and fun for all the family.
11. Goose Fair | 8th October
Tavistock Goose Fair is an annual event that takes place on the 2nd Wednesday in October, with over 200 stalls and fairground rides, in the town centre. It dates back to the early 12th Century, when it was a Michaelmas Fair held every September 29th for animal trading and social event. 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. In 1752 the 'loss' of 11 days with the new calendar changed the date to October. Market traders come from all over the country to sell their wares and provide entertainment.
12. Dickensian Evening | 5th December
Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening is a magical late-night shopping event that transports you back in time as shop keepers embrace the spirit and dress up in traditional attire with the Christmas light switch-on at 5:45pm. Alongside the smell of chestnuts cooking on steam engines, there is street entertainment, choirs, traditional rides and festive food & drink. A visit to the Christmas Tree Festival in St. Eustachius Parish Church is also not to be missed!
Markets in Tavistock
Markets have been held in Tavistock since 1105 when a Royal Charter was passed by King Henry 1 to the Monks of the Abbey to run a local Friday market. Originally held in Bank Square, the 7th Duke of Bedford moved the River Tavy sideways and built a magnificent Market Hall surrounded by delightful small shops in 1860.
The Pannier Market, so called after the baskets used to carry goods, has survived for 900 years - the only break in trading during the coronavirus pandemic. Considered the beating heart of the town, it offers different markets throughout the week from Tuesday to Saturday.
Tavistock's original Charter Market takes place every Friday from 9am-3pm, celebrating our long market history with local produce, arts, crafts & music on Bedford Square. The town thrived on this weekly Friday market, serving as a hub for the large farming district surrounding the town.
15. Tavistock Farmers’ Market
Tavistock Farmer’s Market is a treasure trove of fresh, local food, drink and plants direct from the producer. This award-winning market is held on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of the month on Bedford Square. It’s the perfect way to begin your shopping experience in the town.
16. Tavistock Arts Market
The Arts Market is held on the first Saturday of each month and features a diverse group of local artists and craftspeople who fill Butchers Hall with a range of handmade art and handcrafted items. There is an eclectic range of art on offer, as well as a range of jewellery, textile goods, artisan soaps and pottery, all made locally.
Family Fun
Looking to entertain the family? Our enviable location on the edge of Dartmoor provides a wonderful playground for the children but there are lot of other free events to enjoy together that are guaranteed to bring family harmony! From the annual Carnival to the new Zombie Crawl, our Family fun pages will give you more inspiration for your visit.
17. Tavistock Carnival Week | 12th-20th July
Organised by Tavistock Lions Club, the Carnival Week is packed full of events and activities for everyone, culminating in Carnival Day on Sunday 20th July. The theme for this year is ‘Tell us a Story’. Events include a Fun Day in Tavistock Meadows, a Baby Show, Pavement Art, Music, Dog Show, Town Trail and a mega quiz!
18. Town Trails
Throughout the year, Tavistock's high street is home to a number of fun and informative trails. The kids will simply love taking part in our interactive Easter and Halloween Trails – free to take part with goodies to win along the way. October Half Term sees our new Zombie Crawl come to town with circus skills workshops throughout the day.
19. Firework Display | 1st November
One to look forward to later in the year, the town’s spectacular Firework Display takes place at Tavistock Football Club. The celebration is a safe and fun way to spend the most explosive night of the year. Display from 7pm. 2024 ticket prices £6 for an adult and £2 per child.
Outdoor Action
There is no shortage of green space to explore in and around Tavistock, whether on foot or bicycle. From wonderful walks to cracking cycle rides, there are ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Tavistock also hosts a number of exciting sporting events throughout the year so don’t miss out on such fun in this stunning landscape. 2026 will see the first Flapjackery Dartmoor Marathon, starting and finishing in Tavistock so get those training shoes on!
20. Sportiva’s Tavistock Triathon | 5th May
The Tavistock Triathlon is back for 2025. It uses the amazing Olympic legacy 50m pool at Mount Kelly which is not just 50 metres long but has three metre lanes! Take on the challenge of cycling some of Devon’s most beautiful roads and lanes, then take in beautiful views as you run the former Tavistock-Exeter railway line. Finish in style in front of Harry Potter style Mount Kelly School – no sorcery allowed on this race!
21. Dartmoor Prison Break | 1st June
This major event is an endurance challenge in which the entrants determine their own route from HMP Dartmoor with the aim to achieve the furthest distance (as the crow flies) in a given time. There are 3 categories with a 6 hour ‘Absconder, a 12 hour 'Delinquent' and 24 hour 'Felon' cut off. With the prison itself the setting for the escape, this is a pretty iconic race! Organised by local charity volunteer mountain rescue team, Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team Plymouth, all funds raised go to them to help their objectives ensuring the 24/7/365 safety of all members of the public in Dartmoor, Plymouth and surrounding areas.
22. Langstone Fell Run | 25th May
This old local run is a highly anticipated event organized by the Tavistock Run Project. A thrilling race, it takes place in the picturesque Dartmoor village of Peter Tavy, just outside Tavistock. With its breathtaking views of Dartmoor, challenging ascents and descents, and exciting technical obstacles, this 10km race is part of the renowned Devon Fell Series.
23. Dartmoor!
Tavistock is perfectly situated for exploring the western moor and beyond. With rivers for swimming, dramatic tors for climbing and ancient settlements to explore. Dartmoor is one big adventure playground with something for everyone.
Jump to: What’s On | Family fun | Foodie feasts | Markets | Outdoor action | Stay | Top
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