Major heritage scheme to uncover Tavistock Abbey set to begin

A major heritage project to uncover and restore the remains of Tavistock Abbey is set to begin after securing full funding.

The Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey Project, led by Tavistock Heritage Trust in partnership with Tavistock Town Council, will see archaeological investigations, conservation work and community digs take place across the historic site from March 2026.

A £249,226 grant has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside support from Historic England, Tavistock Town Council, and Tavistock Heritage Trust itself. Organisers say the funding allows the scheme to move from planning into delivery, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity to explore the abbey’s story.

Founded in AD 974, Tavistock Abbey, also known as the Abbey of Saint Mary and Saint Rumon, was one of Devon’s most significant medieval religious foundations. 

ABOVE: 1887 drawing of 1542 seal of the house and hospital of Saint Mary Magdalene and Theobald of Tavistock. Public domain / Unknown author.

For more than 500 years it played a central role in the spiritual, political and economic life of the region, with lands stretching far beyond the town. 

Its abbots were influential figures, shaping local governance, education and agriculture. 

The abbey also provided charity, hosted markets and festivals, and dominated Tavistock’s skyline.

Much of the abbey was dismantled after the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1539 under King Henry VIII. 

Many of its buildings were destroyed or repurposed, its lands redistributed, and its treasures sold or lost. Despite this, fragments of stonework, reused masonry, and the alignment of streets still reflect its original footprint, keeping the abbey alive in the town’s layout and history.

On 3 March 1539, the last abbot, John Peryn, together with twenty monks, surrendered the abbey to the king and was granted a pension of £100. 

At the time of the Dissolution, Tavistock Abbey was the second wealthiest in Devon, with an annual income of £902, slightly behind Plympton Abbey and far above other regional foundations such as Buckfast Abbey. 

Today, only the refectory, two gateways and a porch survive.

What the project will do

The Rediscovering Tavistock Abbey Project aims to identify, conserve and reinterpret the surviving remains. 

Planned work includes archaeological surveys and excavations, heritage conservation to protect key structures, and research into the abbey’s history and influence.

New interpretation materials will help residents and visitors understand how the abbey shaped the development of Tavistock. 

Rather than simply safeguarding ruins, organisers hope to illuminate the abbey’s past, place it in context, and show how it shaped the streets people walk today.

A key feature of the project is community involvement. Schools, families and volunteers will be invited to take part in archaeological fieldwork, historical research and interpretation activities. 

Local groups, including Tavistock Youth Café, are expected to be involved, giving residents the chance to engage directly with their town’s history.

The project builds on previous heritage-led regeneration initiatives in Tavistock, including work at the Guildhall. 

Using money raised by National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with heritage. 

This scheme embodies that mission, ensuring the abbey’s remains are cared for, understood and shared for generations to come.

Between now and March 2026, detailed plans, procurement and programme scheduling will be finalised. 

Further announcements will outline opportunities for community participation and key project milestones.