Drake's Trail Walking Spur 4 - Tavistock to Crowndale - 3 miles Drake's Trail Walking Spur 4 - Tavistock to Crowndale - 3 miles This walks follows part of the Tavistock Canal, the construction of which was overseen by civil engineer John Taylor. The canal took 14 years to complete - with labour by Frnech 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. Sir Francis Drake was reputed to have been born at Crowndale Farm in around 1540. It is difficult to be exact, as only deaths were officially registered in the mid 16th Century. The farm 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. The route is level, and follows paved surfaces and firm footpaths (note, if continuing to Shillamill Viadict, the path becomes more even and can be muddy). There are no obstacles along this route, although the path by the canal towards Crowndale Woods can become a little overgrown in the height of summer. 2026-04-19T08:58:45.5807660Z WP1 Start in Bedford Square in the central of Tavistock with the Town Hall on your left. Walk past the statue of the Duke of Bedford to the pedestrian crossing. Cross the road using the pedestrian crossing opposite the Post Office and turn left. Dot Waypoints Podcast 2(4).jpg image/jpeg WP2 Walk over Abbey Bridge and turn right onto the path, St John's Avenue. Dot Waypoints River Tavy path 005(1).jpg image/jpeg WP3 After walking past the skatepark, turn right and cross the pedestrian footbridge into the Meadows. Turn left after the bridge and walk along the river for around 150m. Dot Waypoints WP4 Dot Waypoints tavistock canal 022(1).jpg image/jpeg WP5 Take a path that forks on your right towards the underpass. Continue along the path next to Tavistock Canal (the lower path is for cyclists). Dot Waypoints tavistock canal 031(2).jpg image/jpeg WP6 Continue along the path as is passes into Crowndale Woods. Dot Waypoints podcast 3(3).jpg image/jpeg WP7 The site of Crowndale Farm is the reputed birthplace of Sir Francis Drake. The farm building is now longer there, having been dismantled and the stone taken north, to Lewtrenchard. Continue for another kilometre to Shillamill Viaduct, or retrace your steps back to Tavistock. Dot Waypoints tavistock canal 039(1).jpg image/jpeg WP8 Dot Waypoints tavistock canal 032.jpg image/jpeg WP9 After passing through the subway, turn left to join the path alongisde the canal. Dot Waypoints tavistock canal 020.jpg image/jpeg WP10 Take a path before the Meadowlands Swimming Pool, crossing to join the Tavy riverside path. Turn left here, and follow the path back to the centre of Tavistock. Dot Waypoints tavistock canal 019.jpg image/jpeg WP11 From the end of the path you will see Bedford Square. Dot Waypoints