Cathedrals · South West England
Tavistock Abbey
In or near Buckland Monachorum.
Tavistock Abbey is a cathedral in the United Kingdom.
David Hallam-Jones — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–2 h
- Best time of year
- Year-round
- Nearest railway station
- Gunnislake · 6.4 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Tavistock Abbey, the nearest railway station is Gunnislake, located 6.4 km away. Admission is free, but please note that wheelchair accessibility is limited. The postcode for sat-nav is PL19 8BB.
About
Tavistock Abbey is a cathedral in england south west, United Kingdom — the principal church of its diocese, dating from 901. Cathedrals are seats of bishops in the Church of England, the Roman Catholic Church, and other Christian denominations across Britain.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2024
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the official site
Tavistock Museum is a community museum located in the historic Court Gate, showcasing the rich history of Tavistock, including its Medieval Abbey and the local mining heritage. Visitors can explore various exhibitions that highlight the town's past, including its railway stations and local commerce.
Read more on the official property page.
Protected designations
- Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: Tamar Valley
Designations sourced from Natural England open data under OGL v3.
From the Wikipedia article
Tavistock Abbey, also known as the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Rumon, is a ruined Benedictine abbey in Tavistock, Devon. The Abbey was surrendered in 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Nothing remains of the abbey except the refectory, two gateways and a porch. The abbey church, dedicated to Our Lady and St Rumon, was destroyed by Danish raiders in 997 and rebuilt under Lyfing, the second abbot. The church was further rebuilt in 1285 and the greater part of the abbey between 1457 and 1458.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Older historians thought the abbey was founded in 961 by Ordgar, Ealdorman of Devon, in 981 the charter of confirmation was granted by King Æthelred the Unready, Ordwulf's nephew. It was endowed with lands in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall, and became one of the richest abbeys in the west of England.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 50.5492, -4.1445
- County
- Devon
- District
- West Devon
- Parish
- Tavistock
- Postcode
- PL19 8BB
- Parliamentary constituency
- Torridge and Tavistock
- Established
- 901
- Nearest railway station
- Gunnislake — 6.4 km
- Opening
- 11 am – 3 pm Tuesday – Saturday from 9 May to 31 October 2026; all other times by prior arrangement only
- Official site
- tavistockmuseum.co.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q2820734 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Tavistock Abbey (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Tavistock Abbey
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The Bedford
Hotels · 0.0 km
Bedford Estate Office
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
Arch of Abbey Cloisters
Abbeys & priories · 0.0 km
Tavistock War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 0.0 km
Betsy Grimbal's Tower, The Vicarage
Historic houses · 0.1 km
Abbey Bridge
Historic bridges · 0.1 km
Tavistock Museum
Museums · 0.1 km
Tavistock Pannier Market
Farmers’ markets · 0.1 km
Sir Francis Drake Public House
Historic pubs · 0.2 km
The Cornish Arms
Restaurants · 0.2 km
(White Hart Inn) Public House
Historic pubs · 0.2 km
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Tavistock Abbey
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Betsy Grimbal's Tower, The Vicarage
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Where to eat & stay near Tavistock Abbey
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The Old Rectory Caravan & Camping Park
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Places to eat & drink
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Sir Francis Drake Public House
Sir Francis Drake Public House in England South West, United Kingdom.
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The Cornish Arms
The Cornish Arms — a restaurant in england south west.
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(White Hart Inn) Public House
(White Hart Inn) Public House in England South West, United Kingdom.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Tavistock Abbey?
- Tavistock Abbey is in Devon, South-West England, United Kingdom (postcode PL19 8BB), in the parish of Tavistock.
- What is Tavistock Abbey?
- Tavistock Abbey is a cathedral in the United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Tavistock Abbey?
- The nearest railway station is Gunnislake, about 6.4 km away. Drivers can use postcode PL19 8BB.
- When was Tavistock Abbey built?
- Built or established in 901.
- Is Tavistock Abbey a protected site?
- Yes — Tavistock Abbey is part of the Tamar Valley National Landscape (AONB).
- Is Tavistock Abbey free to visit?
- Yes, Tavistock Abbey is free to enter.
- How do I get to Tavistock Abbey?
- The nearest railway station is Gunnislake, about 6.4 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode PL19 8BB.