Heritage Open Days 2022 - 9-18 September.
Thanks to the annual Heritage Open Days, each September thousands of volunteers across the country invite you to experience local history, architecture and culture. All for free.
From the 9th to the 18th September there will be lots of opportunities to explore different parts of Tavistock with a variety of guided walks and talks led by heritage experts, together with a chance to visit some wonderful historic buildings and see some of the town’s historic treasures.
More information is available via www.heritageintavistock.org or pick up a flyer from the Tavistock Visitor Information Centre.
‘Windows in Time’ - Tavistock Shop Heritage Trail Tavistock BID
Find out more about Tavistock's retail history throughout the ages - what did premises used to look like and what did they sell?You can see it all in 43 windows throughout the town centre.Pick up your map from the Visitor Information Centre (open Thursday – Saturday)
Tavistock Subscription Library Open day
Read, learn, discover. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of Tavistock’s 222-year old subscription library. Read books from the 17th to 21st centuries. Learn how to use the online catalogue.
Event Times
Friday 9 September: 1000-1600
Saturday 10 September: 1000-1600
Friday 16 September: 1000-1600
Saturday 17 September: 1000-1600
Tours around Mount Kelly School, Tavistock
A Heritage Open Day tour of Mount Kelly offers the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful grounds at both the Prep School, formerly Mount House, and the College, to see around the historically significant buildings, meet some of the pupils, and gain an insight into the realities of life in a modern independent school. Tour last approx. 60 minutes
Event Times
Friday 9 September: 1600
Friday 16 September: 1600
Tours around Our Lady of the Assumption and St Mary Magdalen, Callington Road, Tavistock
Tavistock Catholic Church is linked to the mining heritage of Devon and Cornwall. It was built by the Duke of Bedford to accommodate the miners who flooded into the town in the mid 1800s to work in the local mines.
Event Times
Saturday 10 September: 1000-1530
Saturday 17 September: 1000-1530
Roots and Trees: local and family history drop-in sessions at Tavistock Subscription Library
Join drop-in “Roots and Trees” sessions; draw on our Library members’ experience and investigate the Library’s collections for your family history or local history project
Event Times
Sunday 11 September: 1000-1600
Tuesday 13 September: 1000-1600
Sunday 18 September: 1000-1600
Plymouth Road Cemetery Guided Walk, Tavistock
Tavistock Heritage Trust
Join Alex Mettler for a guided walk around the grounds and buildings of the Plymouth Road Cemetery. Walk time c60 minutes
Event Time
Sunday 11 September: 1400
Heritage Book Fair
Tavistock Heritage Trust
A heritage Book Fair held in the historic surroundings of the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock. A variety of stalls selling books from local and national publishers focussing on the history and heritage of Tavistock, Dartmoor, Tamar Valley, the Cornwall & West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site and beyond.
Event Time
Tuesday 13 September: 11.00 - 15.00 – Tavistock Room, Bedford Hotel, Tavistock
Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre
Tavistock Heritage Trust
Come along for a special guided tour of the Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre!
Tavistock Heritage trust will be running special tours around the interpretation centre, Victorian cells and courtroom.
Event Times
Wednesday 14 September: Tour 1100 & 1400
Tavistock's Lost Townscape – A Guided Walk
Tavistock Heritage Trust
Come and join Simon Dell for an intriguing look around the town's long lost past - streets that no longer exist, buildings no longer there and the history behind many of the existing ancient roads and routes. BUT be aware - this walk is 2 hours long and involves lots of steep alleyways and steps so not for the feint-hearted or those not able to walk for 2 hours. We will cover much of the town in a way not looked at before on the smaller guides walks and place the town firmly in its historical place in West Dartmoor.
Event Time
Wednesday 14 September: Tour 10.00
Discover Tavistock - A Guided Walk
Tavistock Local History Society
A guided walk providing a gentle overview of the colourful history and heritage of this 1,000-year-old World Heritage Site town. Organised by Tavistock Local History Society. Walk length c90mins
Event Time
Thursday 15 September: 10.00 meet outside Tavistock Town Hall
Tavistock’s Industrial Heritage – A Guided Walk
Tavistock Local History Society
A walk with members of Tavistock Local History Society exploring what has disappeared and what remains from when Tavistock was a place of significant manufacturing and industry. Starting 2pm outside the Town Halland lasting for about 1½ to 2 hours.
Event Time
Thursday 15 September: 14.00
St Eustachius Parish Church Tours
A guided tour of Tavistock Parish Church. The Church was closely associated with the nearby C10 Benedictine Abbey of Our Lady and St Rumon dates from at least 1265.
Event Time
Friday 16 September: 14.00 - 15.00
Saturday 17 September: 10.00 - 11.00
Sausages, Cider and Steam - Steam passenger trailer rides to visit the Robey Trust workshop
The Robey Trust presents ‘Sausages, Cider & Steam’, a few hours exploring a blissful heritage engineering workshop packed full of vintage machinery in full swing! A nostalgic mix of steam of all varieties with the best of the British summer BBQ
Event Times
Saturday 17 September: 11.00 - 17.00 Visit 'The Works' premises or take the round robin trailer rides available on the hour between town centre and Pixon Lane
Sunday 18 September: 11.00 - 17.00 Visit 'The Works' premises or take the round robin trailer rides available on the hour between town centre and Pixon Lane
Tavistock Guildhall Family Fun Day
Tavistock Heritage Trust
Family fun and craft making in Tavistock Guildhall’s courtroom
Event Time
Saturday 17 September: 10.00 - 16.00