The Tamar Valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty in Devon and Cornwall, consisting of the Tamar, Lynher and Tavy valleys, as well as surrounding areas. To the east, the region is bordered by the Dartmoor National Park, and to the south lies the city of Plymouth. The Tamar Valley was the site of much mining activity during the 18th and 19th centuries, including the construction of Devon Great Consols, believed to be the world's largest copper mine. The Tamar Valley includes part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

Understand

Designations

The tidal river, between Cotehele Quay and Weir Quay, with its mudbanks and reed beds

The river is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a European Special Area of Conservation, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. and West Devon Mining Landscape.

The SSSI was designated in 1991 for its biodiversity and varying habitats that support a large number of wader and wildfowl species, as well as the special interest of its marine biology. The site supports a nationally important wintering population of avocet and supports species such as black-tailed godwit, Eurasian whimbrel, greenshank, spotted redshank, green sandpiper and golden plover.

Throughout human history the valley has been almost continuously exploited for its rich mineral and metal deposits including silver, tin, lead and arsenic leaving a unique archaeological landscape which forms a significant part of the UNESCO site "Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape". Remains include wheal or engine houses, deep and open cast mines dating from the Bronze Age through to the medieval and modern era, the export docks at Morwellham Quay were once an international centre of trade in copper, lead and arsenic.

Crossings

The river has 22 road crossings, including some medieval stone bridges. The oldest bridge still extant is at Horsebridge (1437), and the next oldest is Greystone Bridge near Lawhitton — this arched stone bridge was built in 1439. Gunnislake New Bridge was built in 1520 by Sir Piers Edgcumbe, the owner of Cotehele and Mount Edgcumbe. The Gunnislake bridge was a main route into south east Cornwall and the lowest bridge over the Tamar until the Tamar Bridge at Saltash was opened in 1962.

The lower Tamar is spanned also by the Royal Albert Bridge (built 1859), a rail bridge now adjacent to the newer Tamar Bridge. Both of these bridges are between Saltash (known as the 'Gateway to Cornwall') and Plymouth. Further downstream, crossing the Hamoaze, is the Torpoint Ferry — a chain ferry connecting Torpoint to Devonport — and at the most downstream part of the Hamoaze there is also the Cremyll Ferry.

The Calstock Viaduct is another notable structure on the Tamar, being 120 feet (37 m) high with twelve 60-foot (18 m) wide arches, of which three of the piers stand in the river, and was built between 1904 and 1907.

Visitor information

• Tamar Valley National Landscape website
• Visit Tamar Valley

Get around

• Tamar Valley Line, ☏ +44 1752 584777. Every two hours, year-round, except Dec 24-2. A 45-minute scenic rail journey from Plymouth to Gunnislake via Devonport, Dockyard Keyham, St Budeaux, Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston, and Calstock. From £7.50 return (off-peak). (updated Mar 2024)

Do

• Tamar Discovery Trail. A 31-mile (45-km) hiking route following the course of the Tamar through the valley from Plymouth in the south to Launceston in the north. (updated Mar 2024)