3 Best Sights in Tavistock and Environs, The West Country

A 13th-century Cistercian monastery, Buckland Abbey became the home of Sir Francis Drake in 1581. Today, it's filled with mementos of Drake and the Spanish Armada, but the highlight is a beautifully expressive self-portrait by Rembrandt, displayed in the Georgian dining room. Part of a bequest, the painting was only identified, painstakingly restored, and revealed to the public in 2014. The house, which has a restaurant, is 6 miles south of Tavistock; to get here, take A386 south to Crapstone and then head west.

About 4 miles west of Buckland Abbey and 9 miles southwest of Tavistock, Cotehele House and Quay was formerly a busy port on the River Tamar, but it is now usually visited for the well-preserved, atmospheric late-medieval manor, home of the Edgcumbe family for centuries. The house has original furniture, tapestries, embroideries, and armor, and you can also visit the impressive gardens, a quay museum, and a restored mill. (The mill's operation is currently suspended while repairs take place following damage to the weir upstream.) Choose a bright day or bring a flashlight, because the rooms have no electric light. Shops, crafts studios, a gallery, and a restaurant provide other diversions.

Take advantage of the shuttle bus that runs most days between the house, quay, and mill. Just keep in mind that the shuttle is driven by volunteers, and so is dependent on volunteer availability. Call in advance to confirm the shuttle will be running when you're here.

In the 19th century, Morwellham (pronounced More-wel-ham) was England's main copper-exporting port, and it has been carefully restored as a working museum, with quay workers and coachmen in costume. Visitors can board a special train that goes along the River Tamar and into the George and Charlotte Copper Mine. Fairs and other special events take place throughout the year. The site lies 2 miles east of Cotehele House and 5 miles southwest of Tavistock.