Tavistock Museum

About the museum

Tavistock Museum began in 1986 on the ground floor of the Town Council offices in Drake Road. In 2003 it moved to its present home above the historic Court Gate, one of the oldest and most important buildings in the town, and in 2006 it expanded into the neighbouring cottage.

The first collections focused on farming, mining and education and have grown through gifts, including a large group of objects given by Tavistock Town Council. One strand of the displays is the lost Benedictine abbey, founded in 974, burnt by Danish raiders in 997 and rebuilt in stone before it was destroyed after the dissolution of the monasteries in 1539. The museum shows carved stone and floor tiles from the abbey.

Tavistock and the Tamar Valley are part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, designated in 2006, and the museum is an Area Centre for the site. Maps, minerals, mining equipment and photographs explain the close links between Tavistock and the mining areas of Cornwall.

Other displays look at the town’s markets, trades and occupations, its two former railway stations and local fashion. The museum is run by a charitable trust and staffed by volunteers.

Highlights

• Stone head and floor tiles from Tavistock’s lost medieval abbey
• Area Centre for the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site
• Collection of local minerals, maps and mining equipment
• Displays on Tavistock’s two former railway stations
• Textiles, fashion and a magic lantern with slides

Permanent exhibitions

• Tavistock’s lost medieval abbey – The story of the Benedictine abbey that shaped the medieval town, told with carved stone and floor tiles from the site.
• Mining and the World Heritage Site – Maps, minerals, mining equipment and photographs explain Tavistock’s place in the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.
• Markets, trades and occupations – Farm tools, items from local chemists and dairies, tourist souvenirs, textiles and a magic lantern show everyday life in the town.

Founded

1986

Operated by

Tavistock Museum (registered charity no. 1200011)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

There is no admission fee, but visitors are asked to make a donation towards running costs. The museum supports Gift Aid.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Only the ground-floor welcome area, audio-visual room and museum shop are accessible for wheelchair users. The two main galleries are on the first floor and are reached by stairs; a stairlift has recently been installed. The museum also offers Braille guides, subtitled videos and an audio guide.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide

The museum describes its exhibitions as suitable for the whole family. An interactive game called “Time to Get Dressed” sends children around the museum following clues, and school visits are welcome.

Getting there & parking

The front entrance is tucked away in the corner of Guildhall Square, at the Court Gate.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The museum shop is on the ground floor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit