Abbey weir, Tavistock

The river Tavy passes through Tavistock and this image is taken looking towards Abbey Bridge and the weir. Tavistock takes its name from the Tavy which starts up on West Dartmoor and passes beneath 4 bridges in Tavistock. This is the 3rd bridge and beside the river there is a bankside walk. The wall on the left is part of the Abbey limits. The bridge was built in 1763 to carry the turnpike road to Plymouth via Whitchurch. It was widened and partially rebuilt in 1860 to improve access to the GWR rialway station. The weir was rebuilt in 1890 after a large flood. The riverside walk goes on into the Meadows an open area of land, now a public park.