Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey: From Funding Milestone to Delivery

There are moments in heritage work when years of research, partnership building and quiet persistence suddenly crystallise into something wonderfully tangible. This is one of them.

The Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey Project is now fully funded, following the award of a £249,226 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Combined with the Historic England grant already secured, funding from Tavistock Town Council and Tavistock Heritage Trust this means we can now move confidently from planning into delivery, with work commencing in March

For Tavistock Heritage Trust, this is more than a funding announcement. It is the beginning of a new chapter in the story of a place that has shaped this town for over a thousand years.

An Abbey at the Heart of Tavistock

Founded in AD 974, Tavistock Abbey was one of Devon’s most significant medieval religious foundations For more than five centuries, it influenced the spiritual, political and economic life of the region. Its lands stretched far beyond the town. Its abbots were figures of power and learning. Its buildings once dominated the skyline.

Although much was dismantled after the Dissolution in 1539, the Abbey never truly disappeared. It lives on in fragments of stone, in street alignments, in reused masonry, and in the very shape of the town.

This project, led by Tavistock Heritage Trust in partnership with Tavistock Town Council , will uncover, repair and reinterpret those surviving remains, placing the Abbey firmly back at the centre of Tavistock’s story.

What the Funding Enables

The confirmed funding package allows us to deliver a wide-ranging programme of activity including:

• Heritage conservation works to safeguard key remains

• Archaeological investigation and surveys

• Community archaeology digs

• Research projects into the Abbey’s history and influence

• New interpretation to help residents and visitors understand the Abbey’s physical footprint and legacy

  
  

This is not simply about conserving stone. It is about revealing context. About asking better questions. About mapping what once stood where we now walk every day.

This is a hugely significant moment for Tavistock. Thanks to National Lottery players and our funding partners, we now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rediscover the Abbey and reposition it at the heart of the town’s identity.

A Partnership for the Town

The project is a true collaboration. Tavistock Heritage Trust will be working closely with Tavistock Town Council to deliver the programme Wayne Southall, General Manager of Tavistock Town Council, has rightly highlighted that the Abbey lies at the foundations of the town, historically and physically

This work builds on a strong track record of partnership in heritage-led regeneration, including our work at the Guildhall. Together, we are combining conservation expertise, archaeological investigation and community participation in a way that strengthens civic pride while deepening understanding.

Community at the Core

One of the most exciting aspects of Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey is its emphasis on participation.

Local people will have opportunities to take part in archaeological fieldwork, historical research, volunteering and interpretation

Tavistock Youth Cafe , Schools, families and residents will work alongside professional specialists.

Curiosity will be welcomed. No prior expertise required. Just enthusiasm.

We want this to be Tavistock’s project in every sense. A project where people can quite literally uncover their own history.

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with heritage.This project embodies that mission. It ensures that the Abbey’s remains are not only cared for, but understood and shared for generations to come.

What Happens Next?

Between now and March 2026 we will be finalising detailed plans, procurement and programme scheduling. Further details about community participation opportunities and key milestones will be announced ahead of the start date

For now, we pause briefly to recognise what has been achieved. A major funding milestone. A strengthened partnership. A clear path to delivery.

Then we roll up our sleeves.

Because beneath Tavistock’s streets and stones lies a story that has waited centuries to be properly told.

And now, together, we are going to tell it.

If you would like to see how you can get involved fill in the form on our volunteering page