Tamar Valley: Places to go, things to do.
On this page I have tried to give just a taste of what there is to do and see in the Tamar Valley. I have listed some of my favourites, but many more can be found at www.tamarvalleytourism.co.uk Many of our regular visitors who are now good friends have made the Count House their second home, and after many visits are still discovering people and places hidden away in one of the least known and most beautiful corners of the UK.
The local pub is the Royal Inn at Horsebridge, serving good food and a good choice of beers. This pub is definitely not themed, nor part of a chain, and on Friday nights we catch up on local gossip, and business is discussed! It is advisable to book for meals any night of the week as they do get busy. Click here to view the Royal Inn Their website contains loads more information, menus, prices etc.
We have one of the few railway branch lines that Dr Beeching couldn't axe. It runs from Gunnislake (6 miles away) to Plymouth (on another planet) via Calstock, a very Cornish village, over the immense and magnificent Calstock viaduct and through the Bere peninsula on the Devon side of the river. This picturesque train ride is definitely a must. Better still, get off the train at Bere Alston and walk, or combine a walk with a trip on the Tamar passenger ferry. Alec Friendship, one of the ferrymen, can tell a tale or two about the people and places you will pass on the way. More details of the railway and ferry at www.carfreedaysout.com . Ferries rely on the state of the tides so do check times in advance.
The river Tamar was once the main thoroughfare for trade to the area, bringing in coal and lime and taking away metal ores to South Wales to be smelted. The inland port of Morwellham (6 miles away) is a heritage centre which has restored this gem and brought it back to life. They also offer a train ride into an old copper mine at the site. I remember playing on the deserted quays when I was a kid, blissfully unaware of their history. Some of the industrial relics around the site represent immense engineering achievements, and merit at least a full days study. Find out more at www.morwellham-quay.co.uk .There are many more deserted Quays along the river, all with associated lime kilns. Imagine the scene when all these were working at full capacity. The waterway went into decline on the arrival of the railways, and it was the railways that started the great boom in market gardening, which lasted until the late 1960s. If you would like a sailing outing on the river Tamar then go to www.tamarsail.co.uk.
Some friends run "Hands On" farm activity courses. (100yards away but 8 miles by road) Help with lambing, hedging, feeding the geese, and all the other things you might not think of as chores. (But we might) Click here to view Old Solomons Farm
In the Tamar valley there are all sorts of small craft and similar industries which are not tourist venues, but would be pleased to show you their wares, and hopefully do some trade.
Among them are Ian and Angela Minshull at Lamerton (5 miles away). Angela makes stoneware pottery including a range of farm animals, and ovenware. Ian does decorative ironwork, more farm animals, gates and railings. Find them at www.thealecrafts.co.uk
And of course I make Windsor chairs, but you probably know that by now.
More arts and crafts people at www.devon-holiday.com
If you're interested in railway memorabilia, then the Tamar Belle (6 miles away) is the place for you. More details at www.tamarbelle.co.uk
The Tamar Valley Donkey park has a high "aaaah" factor. They take in donkeys in distress and give them a good retirement home. See all about it at www.donkeypark.com .
There is much more information about things to do and places to visit at www.tamarvalleytourism.co.uk I haven't mentioned Cotehele House and Gardens, the Garden House, Endsleigh Hotel and gardens, Tavistock town, Horsebridge (built in 1437) , Civil War skirmishes, Golf courses, cycle routes, horse riding, walks in the woods, the mining "World Heritage Site". Canals, river cruises, hydro electricity, fishing, paintball, swimming, theatres, arts centres, sculpture, live music, films, sleeping by the fireside....
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Location - Capeltor, Tavistock, Devonshire, in the South West of England.
Telephone - 01822 832216 or from outside the UK +44 1822 832216.
Electronic mail address - sally
windsorchair.co.uk
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