The structure, which remains the main venue for civic events in the town, is a Grade II listed building.

[5] The new building was designed by Edward Rundle in the Gothic Revival style, built in locally-quarried stone and was officially opened on 2 February 1864.

[8] However, following a significant increase in population, largely associated with the status of Tavistock as a market town, the area became an urban district in 1898.

[10][11] The Russell family sold various properties in the town, including the guildhall, the town hall, the council chambers and various public amenities, including the corn market, to the urban district council for a price agreed by arbitration in order to meet death duty obligations in 1913.

[14] Then, in December 1943, soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division of the United States Army, who were preparing for Operation Overlord, hosted a party in the town hall for children from the Plymouth Road Primary School.