Friday 10 to Sunday 19 September
Tavistock Heritage Open Days Friday 10 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. This year’s theme is Edible England and along with a host of other heritage experiences, Tavistock will also be celebrating the history of two of its finest culinary triumphs, the cream tea and the pasty. Legend has it that the cream tea originated here in Tavistock in the 10th century, but during Heritage Open Days visitors will be able to experience what a genuine Devon cream team would have looked like, complete with wild blueberry jam, ‘clowted’ cream and a Tavy tuff. There will also be a chance to experience, thanks to the exodus of West Country miners in the 19th and 20th centuries, how the pasty made its way across the world giving rise to some interesting variations, such as the Mexican chilli and chocolate variety. Food will be the main focus of the opening weekend with a Heritage Food Festival extravaganza taking place across the town on Sunday 12th September. Over the following week there will be lots of opportunities to explore different parts of Tavistock and beyond with a variety of guided walks and talks led by heritage experts, together with a chance to visit some wonderful historic buildings not normally open to the public, and a chance to see some of the town’s historic treasures such as St Eustachius’ Church silver. There will also be several fun events for children and adults alike, including a Victorian children’s games day, a heritage stamp trail, the burial of a time capsule close to the Duke of Bedford’s statue, along with a rare opportunity to enjoy steam engine trailer rides complete with strawberries and cream, organised by The Robey Trust. Last but not least, for one day only on Tuesday 14 September, the recently restored and refurbished Tavistock Guildhall will be opening its doors for special pre-booked sneak previews. Full details of these events are available online at heritageintavistock.org and heritageopendays.org.uk or via the Tavistock Visitor Information Centre, Court Gate, Tavistock.
10.00 – 16.00 Tavistock Subscription Library Open Day – Guildhall Square 14.00 Discover Historic Whitchurch guided walk, organised by Tavistock Heritage Trust 16.15 – 17.45 Mount Kelly Tours, organised by Mount Kelly School
Saturday 11 September 9.00 – 14.00 Farmers’ Market, Bedford Square 10.00 – 16.00 Tavistock Subscription Library Open Day – Guildhall Square 10.00 Children’s heritage stamp trail runs all week. Pick up details from the Visitor Information Centre, Court Gate, organised by Tavistock Subscription Library 11.00 – 16.00 ‘Strawberries, Cream and Steam’ passenger trailer rides between The Bedford Hotel and The Works, Pixon Lane, organised by The Robey Trust 11.00 – 16.00 Our Lady & St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church Tour, Callington Road 14.00 Tavistock Town and Abbey Walk, organised by Tavistock Local History Society
Sunday 12 September 10.00 – 16.00 Heritage Food Festival –Butchers’ Hall, Bedford Square and Guildhall car park, sponsored by Tavistock Heritage Trust 11.00 – 16.00 ‘Strawberries, Cream and Steam’ passenger trailer rides between The Bedford Hotel and The Works, Pixon Lane, organised by The Robey Trust 14.30- 15.30 ‘Tavistock’s Policing Past’ book-signing by author Simon Dell – Subscription Library, Guildhall Square
