Tawstock – Historic Buildings and Events

Tawstock offers a range of historical points of interest: the Church of St Peter, Tawstock Court, The Tower and Tawstock Holy Well. When planning your stay, it is worth distinguishing between architectural history and events. Tawstock Court hosts ticketed public events throughout the year, while an iron grille prevents access to the Holy Well.

Church and Memorials

The Church of St Peter in Tawstock is a Grade I listed parish church. Its tower has pointed Gothic-style window openings on the north and south sides of each stage. This design is repeated across all stages and on both of the specified sides. The church also contains 49 monuments, many of which commemorate members of the Bouchier-Wrey family. The tower's design and the memorial monuments thus represent two different aspects of the church: its architectural form and the remembrance of family members.

Tawstock Court: Family History and Events

Tawstock Court was the seat of the Bourchier Wrey family. A coat of arms and the year 1574 appear above the entrance gate. In 2019, Tawstock Court reopened as a venue for weddings and business conferences, as well as accommodation. Tawstock Court also hosts ticketed public events throughout the year, including murder mystery dinners, quiz nights and seasonal celebrations. Specific dates and availability may change; check these details before planning your stay around them. This allows you to include an event in your travel plans without assuming a particular date or that places are available.

The Tower and Its Design

The Tower in Tawstock is a Grade II listed building and is believed to have been built in the late 18th century. It is a folly in the form of a viewing tower: the structure is tall and round, with a smaller circular stair tower. In contrast to the parish church, the focus here is not on Gothic window openings or memorial monuments, but on the circular form. The dating also requires a distinction: its Grade II listing is definite, while the date of construction in the late 18th century is probable.

Tawstock Holy Well

Tawstock Holy Well is a Scheduled Monument. The holy spring dates from the Middle Ages; the well building was constructed in the 20th century. The site lies in a small valley east of Tawstock. An iron grille at the entrance prevents access. Check local conditions before visiting and take this access restriction into account when planning.

The different dates relate to different places and structures: 1574 appears above the entrance gate at Tawstock Court, The Tower was probably built in the late 18th century, and at the Holy Well, the medieval spring should be distinguished from the 20th-century well building. This comparison gives the history of the area a clear timeline without attributing a construction date to the entire site.

Discover more destinations: Dartmouth, Copplestone, Staverton, Frithelstock, Meavy, Bovey Tracey, Tipton Saint John, Tavistock

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