Heritage Open Days returns to Tavistock from 11–20 September with more than 40 free events exploring the people, places and stories that have shaped the town. With many bookable events already filling up, organisers are urging residents to download the programme now and reserve their places.

From a powerful tenth-century queen and the foundation of Tavistock Abbey to miners, policemen, working families, forgotten burial grounds and the industries that transformed the town, Heritage Open Days 2026 promises ten extraordinary days of discovery.

Under the banner “A Thousand Years of Tavistock in Ten Days”, Tavistock Heritage Trust and its partners have assembled one of the town’s most ambitious Heritage Open Days programmes yet.

Between 11 and 20 September, more than 40 talks, walks, tours, exhibitions, open days and family activities will take place across Tavistock. All are completely free.

Heritage Open Days
(Heritage Open Days)

This year’s programme begins by travelling back to the tenth century and the extraordinary family behind the foundation of Tavistock Abbey. Talks explore Ordgar, his son Ordwulf and Ælfthryth, the first crowned Queen of England, whose life became entangled with royal power, patronage, scandal and the contested death of Edward the Martyr.

The Abbey remains a thread running throughout the ten days. With conservation work now underway at Betsy Grimbal’s Tower as part of Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey, visitors can discover the latest findings and explore how the great Benedictine monastery continues to shape the town we see today.

One particularly unusual opportunity will allow participants on the Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey walk to go behind the barriers at Betsy Grimbal’s Tower and onto the conservation scaffolding, meeting some of the architects and specialist stonemasons involved in the work. Once the scaffolding comes down, that opportunity will disappear.

But Heritage Open Days stretches far beyond the Abbey.

At the heart of this year’s programme is the national Heritage Open Days theme, “Everyday Histories”. Alongside kings, queens, abbots and architects, the programme deliberately turns the spotlight onto the people whose lives rarely make the history books: working families, poor children, miners, shopkeepers, policemen and women, and generations of ordinary Tavistock residents.

Dr Sue Andrews’ fascinating talk, “A Pair of Shoes for a Poor Child”, uses surviving records from 1762 to 1903 to uncover stories of poverty, illegitimacy, agricultural labour and education in the communities surrounding Tavistock. Small details preserved in documents can reveal remarkably vivid human lives.

History also steps off the page in “The Superintendent’s Letter”, a special performance bringing a story from Tavistock’s policing past back to life and reminding us that archives contain voices, personalities and dramas as well as dates and facts.

And Bannawell Street: The Street That Made Tavistock takes that same idea out onto the pavement. Developed from the Tavistock Area Support Services Life Stories project, the walk explores the people, businesses, homes and everyday activity of a street that played a vital role in the life of the town.

Together, these events capture what Everyday Histories is all about: discovering the national story through local lives and recognising that Tavistock’s history belongs not only to the powerful and celebrated, but to the thousands of people who lived, worked, struggled, raised families and built communities here.

Elsewhere, guided walks uncover Tavistock’s hidden wharves and waterways, burial grounds, churches and architecture. Tavistock Museum, Tavistock Library, the Guildhall, Subscription Library, Police Museum, local churches and other heritage organisations are contributing to the programme, while the Robey Trust will bring industrial history roaring back to life with “Sausages, Cider & Steam”.

There is plenty for families too. A special Working Life in Tavistock Through the Ages day will invite children to try activities inspired by mining, markets and medieval stonemasons, while exhibitions and activities will be taking place throughout the festival.

The ten days conclude with music, bringing another dimension to Tavistock’s remarkable heritage story.

The most important message, however, is: don’t wait until Heritage Open Days begins to decide what you want to attend.

Many walks, talks and special visits have limited capacity and, by the time you read this, some are likely to be fully booked.

If an event is full, join the waiting list. People’s plans change and tickets regularly become available, but you need to be on the list to have the best chance of securing one.

Download the full Heritage Open Days programme, explore all 40-plus events and make your bookings now.

For ten days this September, Tavistock becomes one enormous history book.

Come and turn the pages.

Heritage Open Days: 11–20 September 2026. Download the programme and book free tickets here.

With huge thanks to those businesses who supported this feature: