TAVISTOCK HERITAGE TRAILS

Trail 3: Tavistock Canal

The Tavistock Canal was constructed between 1803 and 1817 to transport copper and other mineral ores from mines on West Dartmoor and around Tavistock to the port of Morwellham on the River Tamar. From there, copper ore was shipped to Swansea where there were abundant supplies of the necessary coal and limestone for smelting. The canal was also used to import raw materials for local industry and agriculture, such as coal, iron, timber and fertilizers, as well as luxury goods including wines, spirits, chinaware and fabrics. For over 40 years the canal was the commercial artery that linked West Devon’s communities, mines, quarries, foundries and farms to the wider world. The canal builders were led by highly skilled mining engineers who found ingenious solutions to the geographical and technical challenges they faced. John Taylor, who surveyed the canal’s 4½ mile route and managed the work until he moved on to new ventures in 1811, became one of the leading industrial pioneers of his age with business interests across the globe.