About Ward & Chowen

Established in 1830, Ward & Chowen is one of Devon and Cornwall’s most respected firms of Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents and Auctioneers.

The company was originally founded by Daniel Ward, and in common with companies of a similar age, the firm’s original field of expertise was in land agency and rural estate management. With the break up of many of the landed estates Ward & Chowen moved into the residential field and has developed over the years an unrivalled level of expertise coupled with one of the oldest property archives in the area.

The company moved to 1 Church Lane, Tavistock just before the First World War, when we conducted the four-day property auction of “The Tavistock Estate” for the Duke of Bedford. Ward & Chowen also manage the Tavistock Livestock Centre. Originally sales of cattle, sheep and pigs were held in what is now the Guildhall car park but in the middle of 19th century the Duke of Bedford constructed a new cattle market on Whitchurch Road. This has been operated by Ward & Chowen since it was first created some 150 years ago.

We also hold auctions of antiques and chattels in the Tavistock Auction Rooms in the town centre, close to the Pannier Market.

In 2010 we moved to one of the most prominent locations in Tavistock, on Plymouth Road, enabling us to expand our residential sales, lettings and survey departments. In the last decade we have enhanced and improved all areas of our business to meet the demands and challenges that have taken place within the property market.