Tavistock is a handsome market town on the western edge of Dartmoor, built largely from the proceeds of tin and copper mining. It was one of Devon's four stannary towns, with its own courthouse and laws governing the tin trade, and the wealth shows in the solid granite buildings around the central square. The medieval Tavistock Abbey once owned half the parish; what remains is scattered around the centre, with St Eustachius' Church standing on its old chapel site.
The town sits in the Tavy valley, with Dartmoor rising to the east and the Tamar valley dropping away to the west toward Cornwall. For walkers, it is one of the best bases for exploring western Dartmoor — the river valleys of the Tavy and Walkham are particularly beautiful, and the high moor is within easy reach. The Pannier Market still operates on most days behind the Town Hall on Bedford Square, and the town has enough good pubs and cafes to keep you comfortable between walks.
Tavistock also makes a practical base for day trips into Cornwall, since it sits just upstream of Plymouth and the Tamar Bridge. Morwellham Quay, Buckland Abbey, and Cotehele are all within a short drive. If you are exploring both Devon and Cornwall, this is a sensible place to stay.