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The Priory Bed and Breakfast

Once featured in Woman & Home magazine as one of the top ten quirkiest properties in the UK, The Priory is a detached, Grade II listed, English Heritage property and is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in Tavistock.

The Priory is a lovely example of a fine and substantial house, with an impressive granite tower, vestibule and entrance hall dating back to the 13th century, and was re-modelled and extended during the opulent Victorian age. The original priory was occupied by monks serving the local abbey and is said to be part of the Collegiate Chantry.

This is truly a house of significant historical importance and has been transformed into a comfortable and sumptuous holiday home. Large and airy, well-proportioned rooms with high ceilings, panelled and stained glass doors and windows, decorative ceiling mouldings and architraves.

The property, which stands in approximately 1½ acres of grounds and has a large lawned area, is stone built using local granite from Dartmoor and has lovely, arched, granite mullioned windows.

The turret has a small roof terrace, accessed from an unusual spiral staircase off the main landing, and from the top guests can enjoy particularly beautiful views across the surrounding countryside. The massive stained glass window that adorns the grand staircase and inner porch are absolutely beautiful and very detailed in their design, and were believed to have been salvaged from Ireland by monks and brought it back to The Priory.

One half of the original window is now the window on the stairwell in the grand hall, whilst the top part has been used on the entrance door into the grand hall. Tavistock, known as the ‘gateway to Dartmoor’, is a very popular and individual market town, with a wide selection of shops and restaurants, and a well-known pannier market open five days a week (closed Sunday and Monday).

Tavistock has a leisure centre with swimming pool and large open parkland with cafes, and the golf club is within walking distance. Dartmoor National Park is just ½ mile from the property and has a wealth of outdoor activities, including walking and cycling trails, horse riding, climbing and canoeing. Golf course nearby, open to non-members. Supermarkets 1 mile. Beach 15 miles. Shop and pub ½ mile.