Top 10 summer gems in and around Tavistock

It’s summer in Tavistock (although as I’m writing this it‘s raining heavily!) so I thought I’d put together a list of my top 10 summer gems in and around our town.

* If you can’t make it to the beach then a good local alternative is Magpie Bridge. Situated just outside Tavistock (on the way to Plymouth), Magpie Bridge is a real natural gem. There’s plenty of parking and a large grass area next to the stream, which you can sunbath, picnic, and play on. If you fancy stretching your legs then you can go for a stroll along the stream. You’ll stumble across lots of interesting little coves, and picturesque views.

* Willys Ice Cream – Most of you will have seen the Willys ice cream van which is usually situated in Bedford Square, but you may not be aware that the ice cream is locally made by the family that run the business. It’s nice to know that the products aren’t bought in – you can definitely taste the difference. They normally have between six and ten vans situated in various locations around Tavistock. On a nice summers day (fingers crossed) why not take a picnic out to the Yelverton Rock and follow up with an ice cream J.

* A lazy stroll along the Tavistock Viaduct walk is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. It starts at the viaduct, by the council offices off Drake Road (go up between the banks), and finishes in a picnic area near Crease Lane. It’s only 1 ¼ miles and will take aroundt 30 minutes to complete – so even if you’re not a keen walker it may be up your street.

* If you’re after a longer walk then Lopwell Dam to Bere Ferrers may be more to your liking. The Dam itself is well worth a visit. In low tide you can walk right across the top of the dam, but be careful not to get stranded! .... I speak from experience :) The walk is approximately four miles long (two miles each way), and you’ll see some great local wildlife, and beautiful river views along the way.

* Tree Surfing – If you after an afternoon to remember then Tree Surfing at Gulworthy is a must. We’re very lucky to have this on our doorsteps, as people travel for miles to visit the attraction. It’s great for family fun, groups of friends, or team bonding days. Visit the Tree Surfing website for more information.

* If you fancy getting in shape this summer then Body Zone Health Club comes highly recommended. It’s locally run, and the staff and atmosphere is always friendly. They also have a nail and beauty salon upstairs if you fancy treating yourself.

* The Cornish Arms is running great happy hour deals this summer. It’s £1 off the price of pints, bottles, and wine every day between 5 and 7pm, and 5 – 10pm on Tuesdays. Great if you fancy catching a few rays over a pint after a hard day’s work.

* The Peter Tavy Inn - If you’re looking for a nice meal, then I’d highly recommend the Peter Tavy Inn. The location, on the edge of Dartmoor, is idyllic, the food is superb, and the staff are friendly. They’ve also got a tanquil beer garden, which is fantastic for chilling out in on those long summer evenings.

* Tennis is a great summer sport, and we’re lucky to have excellent facilities and a large, well run tennis club in Tavistock. The club caters for both beginners and experienced players, and offers short term membership for those who just want to try it out. For more information on coaching, membership, and tournaments visit the Tavistock Tennis Club website.

Okay .... so we’ve tallied up nine summer gems for the Tavistock area. It’s now down to you to suggest ideas for the tenth spot. Tavistock Tree Surfers have kindly donated two tickets (usually £10 each) for their Tree Jump to give to person who comes up with the best local ‘summer gem’. As you can see from my list, the suggestions can be quite varied. Feel free to submit (via the comments box) as many ideas as you want – the more the merrier! J

You’ve got seven days to get your gems in. I’ll announce the winner next Sunday.

*** This is just a bit of fun. The winning submission will be judged by me. The judge's decision is final ;-) ***