Tavistock: Is it Devon's Best Kept Secret?

Tavistock: Where History, Mining Riches, and Devonshire Charm Meet! Welcome to the stunning West Country! Have you ever wanted to explore a town so rich in history that it’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site? Then join us as we uncover the secrets of Tavistock, a classic West Country Market Town nestled right on the edge of the dramatic Dartmoor National Park, beside the fast-flowing River Tavy. This adventure will take you through a millennium of incredible history, from the powerful Benedictine Abbey that first shaped the area in Saxon times to the grand Victorian structures built on the back of a copper and tin mining boom. This thriving market town has consistently reinvented itself, driven by the wool trade, the tin industry (as a crucial stannary town), and the later copper boom under the Dukes of Bedford, whose influence is evident everywhere. We'll even find out how Tavistock is widely regarded as the birthplace of the Devon Cream Tea! Why should you visit Tavistock? Experience the vibrant, award-winning Pannier Market, which continues the tradition established by a Royal Charter granted way back in 1105. This indoor market hall, a grand Victorian-era "supermarket," is still a central hub of commerce today, offering everything from fresh produce to local crafts. Wander through a town that is essentially a living museum. Explore grand Victorian buildings like the Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre (a revolutionary, purpose-built courthouse, police, and fire station) and the impressive Town Hall. Look for remnants of the original Abbey, including the 15th-century Abbey Chapel. The town is situated on the border of Dartmoor National Park, offering breathtaking views. You can also walk or cycle the popular trail along the disused trackbed of the old railway, including over the incredible Tavistock Viaduct, built with high-quality Dartmoor Granite. Take a serene stroll along the Tavistock Canal, an astonishing feat of engineering from the early 1800s. It was built to transport ore from the landlocked mines to Morwellham Quay, and its water powered up to 30 waterwheels, for local industries. From the history of famous sons like Sir Francis Drake (born just outside of town) to the beautiful riverside walks, Tavistock leaves a lasting impression. We hope this video inspires you to visit this beautiful and historic part of the country! ❤ Please support our channel in one of the following ways: 1. Subscribe and click the notifications bell. Subscribe to channel https://www.youtube.com/memoryseekers... 2. Buy us a coffee https://ko-fi.com/memoryseekers 3. You can also make a one-off support donation through Paypal: https://paypal.me/memoryseekers 4. Become a patron on a monthly basis.   / memoryseekers   ⚑ Follow our travel adventures on social:   / memoryseekers     / memoryseekersuk     / memoryseekers     / memoryseekers   🗺 Web: www.memoryseekers.net Head over to our website for more photos and information about our travels. 🎹 Like the music we use? We get it from these 2 sites below:- Artlist.io - Get FREE additional month subscription using our link https://artlist.io/Simon-312477 Epidemic Sound - Get 30 days FREE use of Epidemic Sounds using our link https://www.epidemicsound.com/referra... We receive 1 free month of access for any referrals 📷 If you'd like to know what equipment we use, see and buy our latest top kit for YouTubing and Travel Essentials in our Amazon shop:- https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/memorys... As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy from these links, we will receive a small commission, but you won't pay a penny extra. With thanks to www.google.com and Google Earth for the use of their images. 00:00 Coming up in Tavistock 00:55 Getting to Tavistock 01:53 Tavistock Early History & Abbey 05:51 St. Eustachius Church Tavistock 11:53 Betsy Grimble Tower 12:58 WH Smith 13:40 Bedford Hotel Tavistock 15:16 Guild Hall and Bedford Squares 17:12 Tavistock Pannier Market 19:07 Duke Street 19:51 Brooke Street 24:09 West Street 25:13 King St Corn Market Building 25:46 Market Street 26:22 West St to Rock Hill 28:26 Tavistock Viaduct - Railway History 32:17 Trackbed Railway Walk 35:57 Sir Francis Drake Born here 37:30 Bedford Cottages 41:11 Tavistock Canal History Morwellham Quay 48:49 River Tavy #visittavistock #tavistock #devon