January has flown past and February half term is just around the corner. Whether you live locally or are planning to visit us over the holiday, there are plenty of things to do in and around Tavistock to keep everyone entertained.
Keep reading for our top picks.....
Explore the history of Tavistock at The Guildhall Gateway Centre
Did you know that Tavistock is a UNESCO World Heritage Site giving us the same status as Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China? Bonkers isn't it! Come and find out more about Tavistock's place in the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Guildhall Gateway Centre this half term.
Join the Discovery Team on Wednesday 14th February and get creative with some Valentine-themed Victorian crafts.
Location: Tavistock Guildhall
Times: General Opening: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-4pm. Discovery Session: Wednesday 14th February 10am-1pm.
Cost: It's free!
Watch Migration at Tavistock Wharf
Take in the latest blockbuster at this wonderful arts and entertainment venue. A family of ducks try to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime. On throughout half term week.
Location: Tavistock Wharf, Canal Road PL19 8AT.
Times: Showings at 11am, 2pm and 7pm from Monday 12th to Thursday 15th Feb.
Cost: Child prices from £5.50.
Duration: 1 hour 33 minutes.
Find out more: https://tavistockwharf.com/home
Get Wet & Wild at Meadowlands
Spend time together at this fun leisure pool set in Tavistock Meadows. Wet & Wild features an indoor slide, a water canon, lazy river and waterfalls, which all the family can enjoy.
Location: Meadowlands, Canal Road PL19 8AT.
Times: Wet & Wild on Monday 12th, Wednesday 14th & Friday 16th Feb.
Cost: Child prices from £5.00.
Duration: 1 hour.
Enjoy snowdrops at The Garden House
Visit The Garden House near Yelverton for its first joyful seasonal event of the year – its Snowdrop Festival. A mecca for Snowdrop lovers from all over the country, there will be more than 350 varieties of snowdrops to spot making it one of the most diverse collections of named and naturalised snowdrops in the UK.
Snowdrops hold a fascination and delicate beauty, keeping the garden ‘alive’ and interesting throughout the shortest days of the year and the collection at The Garden House is one of the best locations to view them.
Dates: Until 12th March.
Location: The Garden House, Yelverton, Devon PL20 7LQ.
Times: Trail open during normal visiting hours - 10.30am to 5pm (last entry 4.30pm).
Cost: Normal admission applies (members have free entry and includes up to 3 children or grandchildren for free).
Find out more: www.thegardenhouse.org.uk/whats-on
Experience life at Dartmoor Prison
Learn about ‘life inside’ one of the world’s most famous and notorious jails. Some of the artefacts and documents on display will surprise you but will certainly enable you to form an opinion about prison life. Vividly portrayed are more than 200 years of this prison’s turbulent history ranging from the beginning, when Dartmoor was a Prisoner of War Depot for French and American prisoners of war, to the later convict era through to today.
Dates: From 10th February.
Location: Dartmoor Prison Museum, Princetown, Devon PL20 6RR.
Times: Monday to Thursday and Saturday last entries 4pm. Friday and Sunday 3:30pm.
During the winter months it may be advisable to call before visiting to check we are open especially if travelling any distance.
Cost: £4.00. Children under 5 are free.
Find out more: https://www.dartmoor-prison.co.uk/
Have fun at Buckland Abbey
Did you know the roots of many well-known fairy tales cover the globe?
This February half term (and beyond!) explore the gardens at Buckland Abbey and discover the original fairy tale stories that can be found all over the world!
There are also craft opportunities and workshops: see their website for details.
Join Naturemake to bring your favourite tales to life on 11th & 18th Feb.
Dates: 10th – 29th February.
Location: Buckland Abbey, Yelverton, Devon PL20 6EY.
Times: Trail open during normal visiting hours - 10.00am to 4pm.
Cost: Normal admission applies.
Find out more: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/buckland-abbey
Get Outdoors
Walk onto Dartmoor | Merrivale Circular
This is a lovely walk that takes in ancient lanes, a rare kind of Tor, a deserted railway line and the Merrivale Stone Rows. There is a bit of something for everyone on this 5-mile walk and you can top it off with an ice-cream at Pork Hill car park on the way to town. Duration: 2 ½ hours.
Find out more: https://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/merrivale-circular
Ride onto Dartmoor with Cholwell Riding Stables
Riding straight out onto open Moorland on horseback is exhilarating and, if you have never done it before, it’s an experience not to be missed! Visitors come from far and wide to enjoy the sense of freedom and love of riding that you find at Cholwell Riding Stables. Situated on the A386 between Okehampton and Tavistock, next to the famous ‘Wheal Betsy’ Silver Lead mine, the stables is perfectly located to ride straight out onto Dartmoor. This allows you to enjoy your whole ride on the moor and admire its breathtaking views (weather permitting!)
Never ridden before – don’t panic as all types of rider are catered for.
Find out more: https://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/cholwell-riding-stables
Cycle at Tamar Trails
Make the most of those new bikes the kids got for Christmas and explore the 25km of dedicated off-road biking trails. No bikes? Then explore them on foot. A perfect activity for the whole family. Where will the trails lead you?
The trails are free to use and open all year round. There is a parking fee of £2 for the day, and free after 6pm.
Find out more: https://www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/tamar-trails
All this and more can be found at www.visit-tavistock.co.uk/tavistock-for-families