The village lies a mile or two north of Peter Tavy; both were shown as separate settlements in the Domesday Book entry of 1086.

St Mary's Parish Church has a pinnacled west tower built of granite, a south porch with old wagon roof and a south transept built in 1893.

[citation needed] Mary Tavy hydro-electric power station was built in the 1930s.

[4] Mary Tavy sits on the A386 which runs up to Okehampton in the North and Plymouth via Tavistock in the South.

Lomax Tours run coach excursions throughout the year from Mary Tavy to places of interest such as Bath Christmas Market, Lyme Regis etc.