Tamar Valley AONB
1995
75 sq miles (195 sq kms)
The steep valley sides and huge meanders in the river have made land communication difficult throughout history, and it has been largely bypassed by modern development. But the landscape has been moulded by many years of settlement and local industry - including farming, forestry, horticulture and mining. Many of these activities have now ceased, but have left indelible marks adding to the character and beauty of the modern landscape, from the gently rolling pastoral landscape of the Upper Tamar, down to the tranquil beauty of the lower estuaries.
Candidage for World Heritage Status for Cornish Mining heritage.
Several SSSI’s for both geological importance and for the estuarine wildlife.
Ongoing work to develop a network of Local Nature Reserves.
The tidal reaches of the Tamar, Tavy and Lynher are included within the Plymouth Sound and Estuaries Candidate for Special Area of Conservation. This designation recognises the international status of the estuaries based on the conservation value of its intertidal and subtidal habitats.
Special Protection Area (SPA) under the EC Birds Directive because
great numbers of waterfowl use the estuary complex as a wintering
site
The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is located on the border of Cornwall and Devon, and includes the valleys of the Tamar, Tavy and Lynher (for a map locating the AONB, click here.)
The estuaries are a particularly important habitat, due to the combination of climate and varied conditions within the estuarine waters.
Several areas of semi-natural ancient woodland remain within the AONB, along parts of the estuary shore and in the side valleys of the main rivers. Some of these support rare lichens, rich orchid flora and breeding butterfly populations, including the nationally rare heath fritillary.
Much of the land in the Tamar Valley is mixed farmland, which is made up of a wide diversity of habitats, including permanent grassland, drains and ditches, hedgerows and small woods. The AONB retains an array of small and irregular field shapes, defined by a strong network of hedgerows - these are an important visual part of the landscape, and a rich and continuous habitat for wildlife.
With its strong history of market gardening, abandoned walled gardens and old orchards provide habitats of particular wildlife and historic importance in the Valley. Some fragments of unimproved meadows and pastures remain in the Valley - Sylvia's Meadow is a species-rich neutral / slightly acid unimproved grassland supporting a beautiful range of orchids - it is designated an SSSI.
Kit Hill is an important topographical and geological site within the AONB and provides the only sizeable area of heathland within the AONB. The Hill supports populations of several rare flora (including Cornish Bladderseed, Eyebright) and bird species including Dartford Warblers, Skylarks and Linnets.
Beautiful Gardens
including the Garden House, Endsleigh and several National Trust properties.
Historic Houses
including Cotehele (National Trust), Buckland Abbey (National Trust);
Antony House (National Trust) and Mount Edgecumbe
Mining Heritage
including Morwellham open-air museum, recreating a Victorian inland
port; the restored mine sites at Drakewalls; the Danescombe Valley
and the
remains of the mine workings at Clitters and Okel Tor
Local Food and Crafts
look out for local craftsmen producing a whole range of materials,
from cider to paintings and other crafts - ideal holiday souvenirs.
Walking and Cycling
including the Tamar Valley Discovery Trail and Cycle Route, from
long-distance routes to shorter walks and day rambles - check out
our Getting
Around section for more information
River Trips
The Tamar passenger ferry, river cruises up from Plymouth, and day sailing
all offer possibilities of taking to the water - check our Getting
around on the Water section for more information.
Days Out by Train and Bus
Leave the traffic and worries behind, and enjoy the opportunity for a
car-free day out - see our Getting
about by Train & Bus section
for more information.
Tamar Valley Tourism Association
For more information about attractions and activities, accommodation
and restaurants in the Tamar Valley area, visit the Tamar
Valley Tourism Association (TAVATA) website.
Parish
of Calstock (Cornwall) includes the settlements of Gunnislake and Calstock
– population: 6,040. Parish of Bere Ferrers (Devon) includes the
settlements of Bere Alston and Bere Ferrers – population: 3,185.
Today the scenic Tamar Valley line is still running – in fact trains run daily all year round, linking Plymouth stations with Bere Ferrers, Bere Alston, Calstock and Gunnislake. It is one of England’s most scenic rail journeys, with its highlight, the spectacular Calstock Viaduct.
A free line guide is available - for a copy tel. 01752 233094. For
timetable and fares information, call 08457 48 49 50.
You can also view, download or print a copy of the line
timetable in
PDF format, or for more details about the Tamar Valley Line and other
scenic branch lines in Devon and Cornwall, visit the Devon
and Cornwall Rail Partnership's website.
Useful sites for visitors to the area
Tamar Valley Discovery Pack, available from local Tourist Information Centres, Village Information Points and the Tamar Valley Service Office.
Take a "virtual tour" through the area, and discover more about some of its attractions, heritage and landscape? Try out our interactive tour map
See our "Downloadable Publications" section for a listing of these.
The Tamar Valley Festival at Morwellham – 22nd June 2003, a celebration of local arts and crafts, produce and performance in the heart of the Tamar Valley.
The annual Tamar Valley Events Programme lists a range of activities throughout the year, ranging from walks, talks and even canoeing! It is available from April each year.
This site contains information and news from the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
For more information; take a look at the What's New page.