Major city · United Kingdom
Tavistock
Base here 1–2 nights with a car: Pannier Market, a viaduct walk and Dartmoor on the doorstep. Without a car, make it a day trip from Plymouth.
Tavistock is a small market town on the western edge of Dartmoor, about 30–40 minutes by bus or car from Plymouth. There are no headline sights: the appeal is the Pannier Market, the viaduct and the old railway walk, and its position for Dartmoor, Lydford Gorge and the Tamar Valley. One night is enough to see the town; two or three nights work if you use it as a walking base.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- GBP
- Best months
- May–Sep; Sep for quieter roads
- avoid Jul–Aug school holidays (busy, higher room rates); winter weekdays (some places shut)
- Airports
- PLH · EXT · BRS
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Tavistock999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Tavistock, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the pound sterling (GBP, £).United Kingdom-wide
- SIM or eSIMEE, Vodafone (merged with Three in 2025) and O2 run the networks; prepaid SIMs sell in supermarkets, phone shops and airport vending machines…United Kingdom-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe everywhere.United Kingdom-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant with table service: 10–12.5% if no service charge is on the bill; check before adding more.United Kingdom-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United Kingdom-wide
- SafetyTavistock is a low-crime small town; the real risks are narrow moor lanes, fast-changing weather on Dartmoor and low bus frequencies that can strand…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPublic toilets are scarce and some charge 50p–£1 (≈ US$2) or are card-only.United Kingdom-wide
- Emergency numbers999 or 112 police, fire, ambulance · 111 NHS non-urgent · 101 police non-urgent (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 or 11:00–16:00 or 17:00).Shops in England and Wales open six hours on Sundays (usually 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM–4:00 PM or 5:00 PM).United Kingdom-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPLH Plymouth City (Small airport; limited routes.
- Getting aroundThe centre is small and walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or tea in a café£3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealPub main course£12–20 (≈ US$16–30)
- Street or quick mealPasty or sandwich£4–7 (≈ US$6–10)
- BeerPint of beer£4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi within town£6–10 (≈ US$8–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus Plymouth ↔ Tavistock, single£5–7 (≈ US$7–10)
- Museum or sight ticketGarden or heritage attraction entry£9–13 (≈ US$12–18)
- Budget bedHostel or bunkhouse bed, a night, per person£25 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£110 (≈ US$150)
- High-end bedB&B or pub double room, a night, per room£160 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget £55 (≈ US$75) · Mid £100 (≈ US$140) · High £180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PLH Plymouth City (Small airport; limited routes. Most travellers arrive via Bristol or Exeter and continue by road or rail.) · EXT Exeter (About 1 h 15 min by road to Tavistock.) · BRS Bristol (Rail to Plymouth, then bus or car to Tavistock.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Feb
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Care
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: May–Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tavistock: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
15 rd
Feb
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
13 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
13 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
May
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
10 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Aug
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
10 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is small and walkable in 10–15 minutes end to end. Local buses run from the town centre to housing areas and along Plymouth Road and Whitchurch Road. For Dartmoor, Lydford Gorge and Morwellham Quay you need a car or a booked taxi; bus frequencies are low and some routes are seasonal.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lydford Gorge
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Car via the A386, about 20–25 min; National Trust site, check opening dates
A 2.4 km (1.5 mi) riverside gorge walk; wear grippy shoes and check the waterfall path is open.A 1.5 mi (2.4 km) riverside gorge walk; wear grippy shoes and check the waterfall path is open.
Princetown and Dartmoor
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Car via the B3357, about 30 min; the drive itself is the point
Moorland scenery the whole way; stop at Merrivale for the stone rows.
Morwellham Quay
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car, about 15 min west of town
Living-history port and mine site; check opening days and ticket prices before you drive out.
Plymouth
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus 83/84 from Tavistock, roughly hourly
Useful for the Barbican, the Hoe and onward trains.
Widecombe in the Moor
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car across the moor, about 45 min
Pair with a moor walk; roads are narrow and slow.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Plymouth Road and West Street)
Walk to the market, pubs and the viaduct path; the Bedford Hotel and several B&Bs sit on Plymouth Road.
Outskirts and nearby villages
Gulworthy, Milton Abbot and Chillaton have country-house hotels; you need a car for all of them.
Yelverton
About 10–15 min by bus or car towards Plymouth; a practical base if you also want Dartmoor's south edge.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- £45–75 (≈ US$60–100) excl. bed
- Mid
- £75–130 (≈ US$100–180) excl. bed
- High
- £130 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or pub double room1 × 2 nights × £110 | £220 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × £100 | £400 |
| Bus Plymouth ↔ Tavistock, both ways2 × £12 | £24 |
| Car hire, one day, small car1 × £45 | £45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × £10 | £20 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | £71 |
| Trip total≈ £195 per person per day, bed included | £780≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in pounds; travel to Tavistock excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or tea in a café | £3–4.50 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Pasty or sandwich | £4–7 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Pub main course | £12–20 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Pint of beer | £4.50–6 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Bus Plymouth ↔ Tavistock, single | £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) |
| Taxi within town | £6–10 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Garden or heritage attraction entry | £9–13 (≈ US$12–18) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bus routes and timetables in this area change; confirm the day before you travel.
- Narrow lanes on Dartmoor: passing places, sheep and ponies on the road.
- Mobile signal drops in parts of the moor; download offline maps.
- Many kitchens stop serving by 21:00; eat earlier than you would in a city.Many kitchens stop serving by 9:00 PM; eat earlier than you would in a city.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent
- 111
- Police non-urgent
- 101
Pocket card
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TavistockTavistock
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance999 or 112
- NHS non-urgent111
- Police non-urgent101
Embassy
No embassies in Tavistock; the nearest US consulate-general is in London, and most countries' missions are in London.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Plymouth → Tavistock: about £5–7 (≈ US$7–10) single, about 1 h
- Taxi Tavistock → Princetown: about £25–35 (≈ US$35–50)
- Car hire, one day: from about £45 (≈ US$60) plus fuel
Say or show
- Single to Tavistock, please — Single to Tavistock, please
- Is this seat free? — Is this seat free?
- Where is the bus stop? — Where is the bus stop?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- What time is the last bus? — What time is the last bus?
Tipping: 10–12.5% in restaurants if no service charge is added; not expected in pubs.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Tavistock. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep; Sep for quieter roads · avoid Jul–Aug school holidays (busy, higher room rates); winter weekdays (some places shut) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Arrival contract for Tavistock: bus 83/84 from Plymouth field-checked, last-bus cutoff, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: Pannier Market and West Street, the viaduct and canal, Plymouth Road.
- Place pages with verified opening windows (Pannier Market, Morwellham Quay, Lydford Gorge) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rain and moor-fog fixtures so gates A–D can go green.