July is a blooming great month to be in Tavistock - to enjoy the town and the beauty that surrounds us. There are so many things to do here in town and further afield so if you are looking for things to do this summer, start here!
Dust off your superhero cape at Tavistock Pannier Market
Take part in their two-week Superhero Trail to earn lots of free goodies plus 1/2 price entry for kids to Dartmoor Zoo with ALL completed trails. Zoom down on 12th August for a fun-packed Superhero Day!
When? Trail starts 31st July ending with a Superhero Day on 12th August Where? Tavistock Pannier Market PL19 0AE
Time? Opening hours 9am-4pm Cost? FREE to take part
Experience Aerial Magic at The Bedford Hotel
An aerial circus adaptation of Lewis Carroll's classic story, this outdoor performance in the Walled Garden at The Bedford Hotel is suitable for all ages.
When? 26th July Where? The Walled Garden at The Bedford Hotel PL19 8BB
Time? 3pm Cost? Adults £2.50, kids FREE
A story of wonder and nonsense laced with lethal wit, of games, of riddles and conundrums, of questions with no answers, but above all of magic and adventure in which everyone can lose themselves and revel in the nonsense.
Round off a perfect afternon with The Bedford's famous cream tea!
Book here
Get crafty at Tavistock Guildhall
You can expect a whole range of fun summer activities for children, come rain or shine, in the Courtroom of Tavistock Guildhall.
When? Every Wednesday throughout the summer holidays. Where? Tavistock Guildhall & Visitor Information Centre PL19 0AE
Time? 10:15am – 1:15pm Cost? FREE ENTRY with a suggested donation of £1 per child to cover materials
26th July – William Morris Designs
Glass painting, stained glass window colouring & making bookmark
2nd August – Mining Games Bingo, Shafts & Ladders & panning for gold
9th August – Getting Inventive
Create a collage machine, water play with waterwheel & pumps, make a lego beam engine
16th August – Modelling our Town
Modelling & printing inspired by Tavistock’s buildings
23rd August – Cops & Robbers
Make a wanted poster, dressing-up as a courtroom character, make your own ID card
30th August – Victorian Games
Play skittles, quoits, skipping, hopscotch, bagatelle & more, plus make your own spinning top
Children 11 years and under must be supervised by an adult.
Activities taking place at the back of the Courtroom
Get inventive at Tavistock Library
Get creative at Tavistock Library with loads of amazing activities from crafts and science to theatre performances!
When? Various dates throughout July/August Where? Tavistock Library, The Quay PL19 8AB
Time? Various times Cost? FREE ENTRY unless otherwise indicated
24th July – Make a Board Game with Learn Devon | 10:30am-12:30pm
Discover board game design, from brainstorming to creating rules and designing the game board. For 6-12 years.
4th August – Science Superstars | 2:00-3:30pm Brilliant hands-on science delivered by Sciencedipity. Suitable for 5-10 years. Tickets £13. Book via https://sciencedipity.co.uk
7th August – Boo to a Goose Theatre - Storm in a tea cup | 2:30pm Grandma Kettlepot is causing a stir at the local book club. She decides to write her own story but needs the children’s help. This accessible, interactive and multi-sensory show will have everyone laughing and singing along. Tickets £2. Via Eventbrite here
21st August – Decorate a Sports Bag with Learn Devon | 10:30am-12:30pm
Gain hands-on experience to transform a plain sports bag into a personalised masterpiece. For 6-12 years.
Fun Fridays throughout the summer | 2:00-3:30pm Looking for a way to beat boredom then pop into the library every Friday for an afternoon of family fun – board games, lego, table top football and much more!
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/TavistockLibrary
Enjoy the outdoors at The Garden House
This beautiful garden hosts a series of fun events for all the family this summer.
When? Various dates throughout July/August Where? The Garden House, Buckland Monachorum PL20 7LQ Time? Normal visiting hours - 10.30am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm) unless otherwise indicated Cost: Normal admission applies (members have free entry and includes up to 3 children or grandchildren for free). 15th July to 3rd Sept – Scarecrow Trail Check out all the scarecrows made by children from local schools and groups with the theme of favourite book characters. 29th July – Boxtree Productions A Midsummer Night’s Dream | 2:00pm & 6:30pm Come and join Boxtree Productions this summer as they take on their most magical story to date. This classic Shakespeare play has been transformed into a musical extravaganza and adapted into modern language, so that it is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. 10th August – Teddy Bear Picnic Events running throughout the day - face painting, storytelling, a teddy bear trail, lawn games and prizes to be won. Teddy bear picnics will be available to purchase on the day for kids (and grown up kids too!) Members and up to 3 of their children have free entry to the gardens. Non-member tickets will be payable on the day.
Experience life on the farm! Two men & their dog – a working sheepdog demonstration Every week during the summer, local farmers and champion sheepdog trainers Jed and Kenny Watson will be holding demonstrations on their farms at Postbridge on Dartmoor to show how they train their dogs for work and competitions. An amazing opportunity to see working sheepdogs in action!
When? Every Thursday throughout the summer Where? Meet at Postbridge Visitor Information Centre Car Park PL20 6TH Time? 6:30-7:30pm Cost: FREE but donation to Devon Air Ambulance Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/DartmoorSheepdogs
Take to the floor with the Theatre Royal The Theatre Royal Plymouth are bringing their hitting the road for a dosey-doe-ing adventure and inviting you to join them for a dose of live music, dancing & pasties. A proper family friendly knees-up!
When? 29th – 30th July Where? Tavistock Town Hall PL19 0AE Time? 12:00pm & 6:00pm each day Cost: £15.00pp Book tickets here
Explore the magic with a Moon Walk on Dartmoor
Hear stories of black dogs, witches and other legends as you walk by torchlight in the dark across Dartmoor. No dogs allowed. Approx. 4 miles suitable for children 10+.
When? 1st August Where? Four Winds Car Park near Merrivale Grid Ref: SX 561749 Time? 8:30pm Cost: £7.00pp or £5.00pp under 16 Place are limited so book and pay in advance. Find out more here
Get Active at the Tamar Trails Centre
Tamar Trails is home to a number of thrilling and exciting natural outdoor activities making it an outdoor adventurer’s dream!
When? Daily throughout the summer holidays Where? Tamar Trails Centre, Gulworthy PL19 8JE Time? Trails open dawn til dusk – activity centre from 9am Cost: Varies depending on activity For those adrenaline junkies, Tree Surfers may be the activity for you. Step, hop and jump through the tree tops using a series of ropes and ladders.
Canoeing is also an option here at Tamar Trails, Canoe Tamar offer relaxing and scenic trips along the River Tamar. With wildlife aplenty; kingfishers, herons, salmon and even otters can be spotted here.
You can hire a bike and explore the trails or take part in other activities such as archery and geocaching. Whether you’re a keen adventurist or simply looking for something different to do with the family, Tamar Trails have it all!
All this and more can be found at: www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/whats-on