River Tamar

城市概覽

Designations

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 pa

當地交通

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)

體驗活動

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)