Tavistock

Tavistock is a proper market town that sits at the heart of Dartmoor, and it's one of those places that rewards a proper wander. The town square itself is the draw - a handsome Georgian arrangement with the impressive Guildhall as its centrepiece, built in the 1880s and still commanding the space with a certain amount of gravitas. You'll find independent shops, decent cafes, and enough local character to make an hour or two worthwhile, though this isn't a destination that'll occupy you for a full day unless you're the type who genuinely enjoys browsing antique shops and village heritage.

The real story here is the abbey. Tavistock Abbey founded in 961 AD and you can still see the gatehouse standing sentinel over the town. There's not masses of the original structure left, but walking around the grounds gives you a tangible sense of the medieval settlement that once sprawled here. History buffs will find something to grip onto; families with young kids might find it a touch underwhelming after ten minutes.

It's the sort of place that works best as a stop-off during a broader Dartmoor exploration rather than a destination in itself. If you're based at Woodovis Holiday Park just 3.2 miles away, Tavistock makes a natural morning or afternoon trip - grab a coffee, stretch your legs, poke around the Guildhall. The town sits on good walking routes too, so you can easily combine it with a moorland ramble if you've got the energy.