Tavistock
| Tavistock | |
|---|---|
| Stannary Town | |
Tavistock town centre | |
Coat of arms | |
Location within Devon | |
| Population | 12,675 (2021 census) |
| OS grid reference | SX480740 |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | TAVISTOCK |
| Postcode district | PL19 |
| Dialling code | 01822 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Devon and Somerset |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| UK Parliament | |
Tavistock (/ˈtævɪstɒk/ TAV-iss-tok) is an ancient stannary and market town and civil parish in the West Devon district, in the county of Devon, England. It is situated on the River Tavy, from which its name derives. At the 2011 census, the three electoral wards (North, South and South West) had a population of 13,028. The town traces its recorded history back to at least 961 when Tavistock Abbey, whose ruins lie in the centre of the town, was founded. Its most famous son is Sir Francis Drake.