Best places and attractions to visit in and around Tavistock

Our top-ten must visit destinations, for any Kelly Gardens resident.

Positioned elegantly within Dartmoor National Park in West Devon, Tavistock is an attractive ancient stannary and market town. The town is surrounded by exciting places to visit, sites to see and marvellous moorland to explore and conveniently located just a short distance from the hustle and bustle of Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City.

So, whether you are looking for a weekend of exploration or a historic town getaway, Tavistock perfectly merges the two so you will never be short of things to do.

To offer you a taster of life in Tavistock, we have compiled ten of our favourite things to do and places to visit in the town and nearby. Tavistock has so many activities to offer, why not share your own favourite attractions with us at sales@bluecedarhomes.co.uk and on Facebook?

Lydford Gorge

Find it: 6 miles from Kelly Gardens


Lydford Gorge is home to the deepest river gorge in the South West with a breath-taking 30-metre-high waterfall. In addition to the wonderful waterfall, there is also a whole host of nature trails and wildlife walks to suit all abilities, from a 2.5-hour trail to the more moderate Devil’s Cauldron trail which takes 45 minutes. When exploring the gorge, you can expect to see an abundance of nature as it changes gloriously with the seasons. After a joyful exploration of the National Trust site, you can sit down to enjoy a traditional cream tea or light lunch in the on-site tea room.

Contact: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge

Tavistock Golf Club

Find it: 1 mile from Kelly Gardens


Situated on the western slopes of the Dartmoor National Park, Tavistock Golf Club boasts extensive views across the area of outstanding beauty. The club was founded in 1890 by a group of 12 golf enthusiasts and has since evolved into an integral part of Tavistock with over 900 members. Not only is the golf club a hub for quality golf matches but also an excellent place for socialising with a large number of social events ranging from golfing gatherings to special menu evenings, charity and private member functions.

Contact: www.tavistockgolfclub.co.uk

Dartmoor Nature Tours

Find it: 1 mile from Kelly Gardens


There is so much to discover within the 368 square miles of mysterious moorland. Residents at Kelly Gardens in Tavistock are lucky enough to have Dartmoor National Park on their doorstep, ready to delve into whenever they please. Dartmoor Nature Tours has been led by Phil Page since 1986. Phil is a qualified guide for the Dartmoor National Park Authority with over 20 years’ experience in landscape and nature conservation. Small groups are invited to embark on a relaxed, leisurely guided walk to learn about the wildlife that lives within the extensive moorland. The professional local guide provides a host of fascinating tours tailored to suit individual customer requirements from spring bird watching walks and meadow walks to discovering the wonders of the greater butterfly orchid.

Contact: http://dartmoornaturetours.co.uk/default.htm

Tavistock Pannier Market

Find it: 1 mile from Kelly Gardens


Tavistock’s Pannier Market is located in the heart of the town centre just behind the town hall. Known as a shopper’s paradise, filled to the brim with a variety of stalls offering quality goods at competitive prices. The market runs from Tuesday to Saturday, offering a different theme each day from crafts, antiques and collectables on Tuesday to traditional charter market and organic produce on Fridays. As well as the daily markets, there is also a host of events that take place including Christmas markets and special charity markets.

Contact: http://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/places/united kingdom/devon/tavistock/shopping/tavistock-pannier-market/

Plymouth

Find it: 15 miles from Kelly Gardens


Plymouth is a bustling city situated on the south coast of Devon. The port city is well known for being ‘Britain’s Ocean City’ as it’s the location for Western Europe’s largest naval base and has a thriving commercial and ferry port, but did you know that Plymouth is home to the oldest gin distillery in England? Opened in 1793, the Plymouth Gin Distillery is now a hub for gin enthusiasts to tour and taste the distinctive Plymouth Gin, which is still made on site to this day. When visiting the city there is plenty to see and do from wandering around the lighthouse at Plymouth Hoe, discovering all things underwater at the National Marine Aquarium, dining by the waterside at the Barbican or shopping till you drop at Drakes Circus – just to name a few!

Contact: https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/

Hotel Endsleigh

Find it: 5 miles from Kelly Gardens


An award-winning hotel nestled on the edge of Dartmoor; Hotel Endsleigh offers the perfect accommodation for a relaxing retreat in the Westcountry. Overlooking the River Tamar and beyond into Cornwall, Endsleigh boasts 108 acres of glorious grounds for you to explore and even catch a glimpse of wildlife such as a kingfisher, otter, falcon or even the occasional deer. The Endsleigh has not only won awards for being an exceptional hotel, it has even taken home the title of the Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2018. Alongside being a fantastic place to stay and eat, this Hotel is also home to an imaginative event schedule with workshops, film suppers and seasonal lunches.

Contact: https://hotelendsleigh.com/

Tamar Valley Line

Find it: 15 miles from Kelly Gardens


Immerse yourself in the extensive views across the Tamar Valley, as you travel from Plymouth to Gunnislake over the Calstock viaduct 120 feet above the river below. Linking Devon to Cornwall, the train journey takes roughly 45 minutes from start to finish. Perhaps you wish to extend your trip by stopping off along the way at one of the many destinations to explore? The Tamer Valley Line stops off at Devonport, Dockyard, Keyham, St Budeaux, Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston and Calston, before arriving at Gunnislake. Off-peak day return tickets start from £6.10.

Contact: https://greatscenicrailways.co.uk/lines/tamar-valley-line/

Buckland Abbey

Find it: 6 miles from Kelly Gardens


Devon really is spoilt for choice of National Trust sites to visit and this ancient gem in the Tavy Valley landscape is definitely one to add to the list! Buckland Abbey is a place of true tranquillity, steeped in history. The Abbey itself is part museum and part house, surrounded by unspoiled meadows, orchards and woodlands with far-reaching views of the Tavy Valley. There are a number of trails to wander and even a Cider House with a secret ‘wild’ garden, perfect for a quiet five minutes.

Contact: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey

Morwellham Working Village, Mine & Craft Centre

Find it: 5 miles from Kelly Gardens


Morwellham Quay is a must-visit attraction forming part of a World Heritage site with features including a historic port, village and copper mine. Jam-packed with interactive and hands-on activities, ideal for the grandchildren to learn about Victorian history in a fun-filled day out. Get crafty with the Morwellham’s craft courses from baking to blacksmithing or sit back and take in the scenery on the copper mine train. Morwellham is open all year round and admission prices start from £10 per person.

Contact: https://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/

The Garden House

Find it: 7 miles from Kelly Gardens


Explore the finest gardens in Britain with a stroll around The Garden House. Created after the Second World War by Lionel and Katharine Fortescue, by 1961 they had established the Fortescue Garden Trust, an independent registered charity. To this day, a board of Trustees oversee the Garden House and actively seek support to fulfil its objectives. The stunning gardens span over ten acres with varying planting styles depending on the season and the plant centre is well-stocked with plants sourced from specialist local suppliers. Described as a ‘a plantsman’s paradise’ by BBC gardening presenter, Toby Buckland, The Garden House really is one of a kind.

Open daily from 1 March to 3 November, 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Contact: https://www.thegardenhouse.org.uk/

Lydford Gorge

Find it: 6 miles from Kelly Gardens


Lydford Gorge is home to the deepest river gorge in the South West with a breath-taking 30-metre-high waterfall. In addition to the wonderful waterfall, there is also a whole host of nature trails and wildlife walks to suit all abilities, from a 2.5-hour trail to the more moderate Devil’s Cauldron trail which takes 45 minutes. When exploring the gorge, you can expect to see an abundance of nature as it changes gloriously with the seasons. After a joyful exploration of the National Trust site, you can sit down to enjoy a traditional cream tea or light lunch in the on-site tea room.

Contact: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge

Tavistock Golf Club

Find it: 1 mile from Kelly Gardens


Situated on the western slopes of the Dartmoor National Park, Tavistock Golf Club boasts extensive views across the area of outstanding beauty. The club was founded in 1890 by a group of 12 golf enthusiasts and has since evolved into an integral part of Tavistock with over 900 members. Not only is the golf club a hub for quality golf matches but also an excellent place for socialising with a large number of social events ranging from golfing gatherings to special menu evenings, charity and private member functions.

Contact: www.tavistockgolfclub.co.uk

Dartmoor Nature Tours

Find it: 1 mile from Kelly Gardens


There is so much to discover within the 368 square miles of mysterious moorland. Residents at Kelly Gardens in Tavistock are lucky enough to have Dartmoor National Park on their doorstep, ready to delve into whenever they please. Dartmoor Nature Tours has been led by Phil Page since 1986. Phil is a qualified guide for the Dartmoor National Park Authority with over 20 years’ experience in landscape and nature conservation. Small groups are invited to embark on a relaxed, leisurely guided walk to learn about the wildlife that lives within the extensive moorland. The professional local guide provides a host of fascinating tours tailored to suit individual customer requirements from spring bird watching walks and meadow walks to discovering the wonders of the greater butterfly orchid.

Contact: http://dartmoornaturetours.co.uk/default.htm

Tavistock Pannier Market

Find it: 1 mile from Kelly Gardens


Tavistock’s Pannier Market is located in the heart of the town centre just behind the town hall. Known as a shopper’s paradise, filled to the brim with a variety of stalls offering quality goods at competitive prices. The market runs from Tuesday to Saturday, offering a different theme each day from crafts, antiques and collectables on Tuesday to traditional charter market and organic produce on Fridays. As well as the daily markets, there is also a host of events that take place including Christmas markets and special charity markets.

Contact: http://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/places/united kingdom/devon/tavistock/shopping/tavistock-pannier-market/

Plymouth

Find it: 15 miles from Kelly Gardens


Plymouth is a bustling city situated on the south coast of Devon. The port city is well known for being ‘Britain’s Ocean City’ as it’s the location for Western Europe’s largest naval base and has a thriving commercial and ferry port, but did you know that Plymouth is home to the oldest gin distillery in England? Opened in 1793, the Plymouth Gin Distillery is now a hub for gin enthusiasts to tour and taste the distinctive Plymouth Gin, which is still made on site to this day. When visiting the city there is plenty to see and do from wandering around the lighthouse at Plymouth Hoe, discovering all things underwater at the National Marine Aquarium, dining by the waterside at the Barbican or shopping till you drop at Drakes Circus – just to name a few!

Contact: https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/

Hotel Endsleigh

Find it: 5 miles from Kelly Gardens


An award-winning hotel nestled on the edge of Dartmoor; Hotel Endsleigh offers the perfect accommodation for a relaxing retreat in the Westcountry. Overlooking the River Tamar and beyond into Cornwall, Endsleigh boasts 108 acres of glorious grounds for you to explore and even catch a glimpse of wildlife such as a kingfisher, otter, falcon or even the occasional deer. The Endsleigh has not only won awards for being an exceptional hotel, it has even taken home the title of the Hotel Restaurant of the Year 2018. Alongside being a fantastic place to stay and eat, this Hotel is also home to an imaginative event schedule with workshops, film suppers and seasonal lunches.

Contact: https://hotelendsleigh.com/

Tamar Valley Line

Find it: 15 miles from Kelly Gardens


Immerse yourself in the extensive views across the Tamar Valley, as you travel from Plymouth to Gunnislake over the Calstock viaduct 120 feet above the river below. Linking Devon to Cornwall, the train journey takes roughly 45 minutes from start to finish. Perhaps you wish to extend your trip by stopping off along the way at one of the many destinations to explore? The Tamer Valley Line stops off at Devonport, Dockyard, Keyham, St Budeaux, Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston and Calston, before arriving at Gunnislake. Off-peak day return tickets start from £6.10.

Contact: https://greatscenicrailways.co.uk/lines/tamar-valley-line/

Buckland Abbey

Find it: 6 miles from Kelly Gardens


Devon really is spoilt for choice of National Trust sites to visit and this ancient gem in the Tavy Valley landscape is definitely one to add to the list! Buckland Abbey is a place of true tranquillity, steeped in history. The Abbey itself is part museum and part house, surrounded by unspoiled meadows, orchards and woodlands with far-reaching views of the Tavy Valley. There are a number of trails to wander and even a Cider House with a secret ‘wild’ garden, perfect for a quiet five minutes.

Contact: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey

Morwellham Working Village, Mine & Craft Centre

Find it: 5 miles from Kelly Gardens


Morwellham Quay is a must-visit attraction forming part of a World Heritage site with features including a historic port, village and copper mine. Jam-packed with interactive and hands-on activities, ideal for the grandchildren to learn about Victorian history in a fun-filled day out. Get crafty with the Morwellham’s craft courses from baking to blacksmithing or sit back and take in the scenery on the copper mine train. Morwellham is open all year round and admission prices start from £10 per person.

Contact: https://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk/

The Garden House

Find it: 7 miles from Kelly Gardens


Explore the finest gardens in Britain with a stroll around The Garden House. Created after the Second World War by Lionel and Katharine Fortescue, by 1961 they had established the Fortescue Garden Trust, an independent registered charity. To this day, a board of Trustees oversee the Garden House and actively seek support to fulfil its objectives. The stunning gardens span over ten acres with varying planting styles depending on the season and the plant centre is well-stocked with plants sourced from specialist local suppliers. Described as a ‘a plantsman’s paradise’ by BBC gardening presenter, Toby Buckland, The Garden House really is one of a kind.

Open daily from 1 March to 3 November, 10.30am – 5.00pm.

Contact: https://www.thegardenhouse.org.uk/

If living later life in style in Tavistock appeals to you, why not find out more about bespoke new properties available from Blue Cedar Homes at Kelly Gardens?

Company Information

The Company
Key People
Land and Planning

Blue Cedar Home Ltd is registered in England no. 6444180. Registered office: Eagle House, 1 Babbage Way, Exeter Science Park, Exeter, Devon, EX5 2FN

Warranty

For further peace of mind, all Blue Cedar Homes properties carry a 10 year NHBC 'Buildmark' warranty.

Contact Us

Exeter - 01392 441909
Bristol - 01454 201166