walk image 4
Drakes Trail is part of National Cycle Network Route 27
For the latest information on the status of all NCN routes, local and national, please use the Sustrans online mapping facility.
route 27
The Dartmoor Partnership
The Dartmoor Partnership

For information on what to do and where to stay on Dartmoor visit:

www.dartmoor.co.uk

The dartmoor partnership website promote many exciting events on the moor including any cycling and walking events organised on Drake's Trail.
Click here for more inforamtion

WSR 4 | Tavistock to Crowndale
Drakes Trail Walking Spur Route
Start Start Bedford Square, Tavistock
Duration Duration 1 - 1½ hours
Distance Distance 3 miles / 5 kilometres
Grade Grade EASY
Surface Surface Paved surface andfirm footpaths.
Where is the Drake link?

Sir Francis Drake was reputed to be born at Crowndale Farm in around 1540. It is difficult to be exact about this as only deaths were officially
th registered in the mid 16 century.
Young Francis began his seafaring career at the age of 13 and became the owner of his first commercial
vessel at the age of 20.

The farm that you can see at Crowndale now is not the building that Drake would have known. The
original farm was demolished and the stone was carried north to be used in Lewtrenchard.

Other local information…

This walk follows part of the Tavistock canal, theconstruction of which was overseen by civil engineer John Taylor. The canal took 14 years to complete - with labour by French prisoners - and was officially
opened in 1817. The canal played an important role in transporting copper ore 4.5 miles to Morwellham Quay, at the time one of the biggest trading ports in the world.

The town of Tavistock dates back to the building of the Abbey in the 10th century. After five and a half centuries the monastery was dissolved and the town was given to John Russell the first Earl of Bedford. The Earls, and later Dukes of Bedford, owned the majority of all property in the town until 1911, when many of the buildings were sold off.

Still want to know more?

Tavistock Town Council for local information:
www.tavistock.gov.uk

Drake’s Trail website for more recreation routes:
www.drakestrail.co.uk


walk 4 map
Larger Map
enlarge map
spacer
spacer
Download Map PDF
Download
spacer
spacer
Download Leaflet PDF

spacer
spacer
Download Podcasts


 

home | routes | accommodation leisure and attractions| contact us | disclaimer | privacy policy
::: Designed and Produced by Firefly Design ::: ©2008 Drake's Trail :::