Tavistock is an ancient stannary and market town situated on the River Tavy, from which its name derives. The town can trace its history back to at least 961AD, to Tavistock Abbey, whose ruins lie in the centre of the town. This town boasts architecture of beautiful local stone, a range of shops, market, riverside park, leisure centre and theatre. Tavistock is excellent for visitors, both for the town itself and as a base for exploring Dartmoor National Park, nearby pretty villages, and a variety of National Trust properties. Tavistock’s most famous son is Sir Francis Drake. From Meadowland Park, you can follow a wooded walk beside the old Tavistock canal to the area of Crowndale Farm where Sir Francis was born. The biggest event in the town's calendar is the annual Tavistock Goose Fair in October. Overlooking Tavistock and Dartmoor to the east is the 1130 ft Brent Tor with the small church of St Michael at the summit.