Short answer: Tavistock is cheap because the two best things are free — the Meadows park with its zip wire and pump track, and wandering the Victorian pannier market. Park at the Meadows for nothing, and the Cornish Arms does exceptional food for the price.
The Meadows is a large free park with its own parking between the river and the canal, and the town centre is a short level walk from it. That alone removes the cost most town days start with, and it is also where the playground, zip wire and pump track are.
A different market runs each day — antiques and collectables on Tuesday, crafts on Wednesday, a mixed market Thursday, and the original Charter Market on Friday with fruit, vegetables and local produce. Saturday rotates. Walking round costs nothing and the Friday produce market is also where you assemble a picnic for less than a café lunch.
The Cornish Arms is the one: exceptional food for the price, dogs allowed in the bar, and the only caveat is not to come in a rush. The Annex does outstanding tapas with a strong alcohol-free list and is closed Mondays. Malthouse does burgers ordered by app, Thursday to Sunday from 4pm.
The National Trust properties. Buckland Abbey and Lydford Gorge both carry admission unless you are a member, and doing both in a day is most of a £50 budget on its own. If you want one, Buckland Abbey is the gentler and more weatherproof of the two.
Park free at the Meadows, let anyone small loose on the playground, walk into town for the market, buy lunch from the Friday produce stalls or eat at the Cornish Arms, then take the canal path out along the water in the afternoon. That is a full day with one meal paid for.
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