Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre

14/10/2026

Just a reminder that the Guildhall Heritage Centre will be closed today (Wednesday 14th October) for Goose Fair and will close at 12 noon on Thursday 15th October.

We hope you enjoy Goose Fair 2026 and all the sights, sounds and traditions that make this such a special part of Tavistock.

08/10/2026

🔎 Courtroom Talk – History of Forensic Science 🕵️

How did investigators solve crimes before DNA, fingerprints and modern forensic technology?

Join Simon Dell at Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre for an illustrated talk exploring the fascinating history of forensic science and how scientific methods have transformed the investigation of crime.

From early attempts to identify criminals and establish causes of death, to the development of techniques that are now an essential part of modern investigations, discover how forensic science evolved and some of the fascinating stories behind it.

📅 Friday 23rd October 2026
🕡 Doors open: 6:45pm
🕖 Talk starts: 7:00pm
📍 Courtroom, Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre
🎟️ Free to attend – donations to support the Guildhall Heritage Centre are always welcome.

Join us for an intriguing evening of history, science and crime-solving with Simon Dell. We hope to see you there!

07/10/2026

🪿 Goose Fair – a part of Tavistock’s heritage

As Goose Fair approaches, we’ve loved seeing the wonderful old photographs being shared on the Tavistock Goose Fair page, along with the memories and stories of fairs gone by.

These photographs offer a fascinating glimpse into how Goose Fair has changed over the years, while also reminding us of the traditions and experiences that have remained part of life in Tavistock for generations.

Goose Fair is an important part of Tavistock’s history and heritage, and it’s wonderful to see so many people continuing to share their memories and help keep that history alive.

📍Please note: the Guildhall Heritage Centre will be closed on Wednesday 14th October for Goose Fair and will close at 12 noon on Thursday 15th October.

We hope you enjoy Goose Fair 2026 and all the sights, sounds and traditions that make this such a special part of Tavistock.

Enjoy the Fair! 🪿🎠

25/09/2026

Our heritage quarter neighbours at the Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall will soon be closing for the season.

Don't miss out on visiting them. They are open today (Friday 25th) until 3pm, Saturday 26th and Tuesday 29th and again on Dickensian Evening.

Looking forward to seeing their new exhibition at the Guildhall Heritage Centre in 2027.

At the Mini Museum in Tavistock we are reaching the end of our opening season.
A final few days to visit and meet our friendly and knowledgeable volunteers.

We will of course make an exception for the Dickensian Evening on 4th December, when we will dress in our best and open from 5pm.

Over the closure time we will be refreshing and upgrading some of our displays for the 2027 season and putting on an exhibition in Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre
More on these projects as they progress.

Thanks to all of our visitors for coming to see us, and a big thank you to our utterly brilliant volunteer team for working a tremendous season in Tavistock 😊

24/09/2026

🏛️ Courtroom Talk – Tavistock Abbey 📜

Step back through the centuries and discover the fascinating story of Tavistock Abbey with local historian Simon Dell.

Founded in the 10th century, Tavistock Abbey became one of the most important religious houses in the West Country, shaping the history and development of our town for hundreds of years. Today, its surviving ruins and the historic buildings around them offer a glimpse into Tavistock's remarkable medieval past.

Join Simon for an illustrated talk exploring the history, people and stories behind this important part of Tavistock's heritage.

📅 Friday 25th September 2026
🕡 Doors open: 6:45pm
🕖 Talk starts: 7:00pm
📍 Courtroom, Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre
🎟️ Free to attend – donations to support the Guildhall Heritage Centre are always welcome.

Come along and discover more about the abbey at the heart of Tavistock's history. We look forward to welcoming you for another fascinating evening with Simon Dell.

22/09/2026

What a fantastic ten days of history, stories and discovery across Tavistock!

We were delighted to be part of this year’s Heritage Open Days, coordinated by Tavistock Heritage Trust, with events taking place across the town.

Here at the Guildhall Heritage Centre, we loved welcoming visitors for talks, performances and family activities, bringing our historic building to life.

🎭 A particular highlight was the wonderful performance by Tavistock Edge. The Guildhall Courtroom was the perfect setting for Police Superintendent Mitchell to be brought back to life, recounting cases from the everyday lives of Tavistock and West Devon’s residents in the late nineteenth century — from misdemeanours and tragedies to accidents and some more mischievous goings-on!

⛏️ We also loved seeing families getting hands-on with history through the Tavistock Heritage Trust Discovery Team’s activities, exploring the lives of Tavistock’s miners, traders and stonemasons.

Our Heritage Quarter neighbours – Tavistock Museum, the Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall and Tavistock Subscription Library – also hosted their own events, making it a wonderful celebration of heritage across the town.

A big thank you to everyone who helped make it possible, and to everyone who visited and supported the events. It was wonderful to see the Guildhall so busy!

Missed Heritage Open Days? There’s still plenty to discover!

The Guildhall Heritage Centre is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am–4pm, with free entry. Come and explore this special historic building and discover more about its history and exhibitions.

We look forward to welcoming you!

16/09/2026

Who's looking forward to the Tavistock Heritage Open Days Family Fun Day on Saturday?

Come and join the Tavistock Heritage Trust Discovery Group at the Guildhall Heritage Centre for a morning of fun, creativity and hands-on history. There’s no need to book, just drop in and have a go!

Family activities on offer;

⛏️ Pan for “tin” and discover Tavistock’s mining heritage
🔦 Explore a homemade mining tunnel and search for “ore”
🏪 Design your own Tudor inspired shop or market stall
🧼 Try your hand at soap “stone” carving

📅 Saturday 19th September
🕙 Drop in anytime between 10am and 1pm
📍 Guildhall Courtroom
FREE – no booking required

Why not make a day of it and explore some of the other fantastic family activities and historic places taking part across Tavistock?

We’d love to see you at the Guildhall! Open 10am - 4pm, Tuesday - Saturday. Free Entry

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 BRING THE KIDS AND MAKE A DAY OF HISTORY IN TAVISTOCK!

Looking for something **FREE, fun and different to do with the family this Saturday?**

**Saturday 19 September is Family Fun Day at Tavistock Heritage Open Days**, with activities and historic places to explore across the town.

🏛️ **Guildhall Courtroom: Working Life in Tavistock Through the Ages**
Get properly hands-on with history! Children can:

⛏️ Pan for “tin”
🔦 Search a mining tunnel
🧼 Try soap “stone” carving
🏪 Design a Tudor-inspired shop or market stall

Drop in anytime between 10 and 1🎟️

👮 **Museum of Policing**
Discover how everyday policing has changed and meet characters from the past, with activities for younger visitors.

🏺 **Tavistock Museum**
Explore the lives, trades and stories of generations of Tavistock people, with additional family activities during the day.

💃 **And even try some medieval dancing!**

📸 **THEN TAKE HISTORY OUT INTO THE STREETS...

While you're moving between venues, turn the whole town into part of your adventure with **Windows in Time**.

Look for historic photographs and stories displayed in shop windows and see familiar Tavistock streets **as previous generations would have known them**.

There’s no set route and no timetable, so families can explore it whenever they like between activities.

👉 Read the blog and start planning your Family Fun Day https://www.heritageintavistock.org/post/windows-in-time-see-tavistock-s-high-street-as-you-ve-never-seen-it-before

📅 **SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER**

🎟️ **FREE activities and attractions across Tavistock**

**Come for an activity, stay for the day and see how much history your family can discover!** 🕵️‍♀️🏛️

15/09/2026

Another full week of Heritage Open Days fun in Tavistock!

There’s still plenty to discover, explore and enjoy this week as Heritage Open Days brings Tavistock’s history to life.

From fascinating guided walks and hidden stories to historic buildings, family tales, local characters and the people who helped shape our town …there’s something for everyone.

📅 This week’s highlights include:
-Tavistock Town Centre Burial Grounds Walk
-A Pair of Shoes for a Poor Child
-Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey
-Bannawell: The Street That Made Tavistock
-The Hidden Wharves of Tavistock Canal
-Tavistock Subscription Library Open Day
-Mount Kelly Tour
-The Fair Arm of the Law

Many events are booking essential, so don’t miss your chance to be part of them!

A brilliant opportunity to see Tavistock from a different perspective and uncover some of the stories hiding right on our doorstep.
⛪️🌳🏰🌳