As an area rich in ancient history, stunning scenery and a vast array of wildlife, the Tamar Valley is a perfect choice for a holiday in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK. Begin by choosing a quality country cottage for your stay and settle down to what could be your most enjoyable holiday ever.
Holiday Cottages on the Tamar Valley
Holiday fun on the River Tamar
On the border of two charming English counties in Devon and Cornwall, this idyllic walking haven is a treat for children and adults alike. Love sitting out in your boat and fishing until your hearts content? You will love the superb salmon and seat trout in the middle and lower reaches of the River Tamar. Or why not try the other two rivers in the valley; the Tavy and the Lynher? Both spectacular in their own special way. If you’re looking for more water based activities, then once more you’re perfectly catered for. Interested in the flora, fauna and history of the valley? Why not come to Cotehele Quay and take a two-hour ride on the ‘Nancy Belle’? Whichever area of water you explore in the Tamar Valley, you will be warmly welcomed and definitely entertained.
Cycle trails galore in the Tamar Valley
Cycling is another sport synonymous with this part of the world and whether you want a casual bike ride in the countryside or a spot of dangerous downhill mountain biking, Tamar Valley has it all. On the Tamar Trails, you can enjoy 25km of routes ranging from gentle to challenging. Explore the vast woodland areas on the Mineral Railway Trail, a must ride for families of all ages or if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can try the Wheal Maria Trail, a track with a range of steep descents and climbs. Not brought your wheels on holiday? The Tamar Trails offer bikes in all shapes and sizes and helmets for hire.
Dogs are welcome as part of your family on holiday
Your pet pooch is certainly part of the family in the Tamar Valley. Let them share your adventures in the South West countryside by taking them on a plethora of walks including at the picturesque Kit Hill Country Park, the highest point in the Tamar Valley and an ideal place for kite flying with the kids. Alternatively, surprise them with a trip to the beach. Whitsand Bay is one of Cornwall’s best kept secrets with its three mile stretch of glistening golden sands and spectacular backdrop of rugged cliffs and is about half an hour's drive from the centre of the Tamar Valley A.O.N.B.. Finish the day off with a well-deserved and tantalisingly tasty plate of chips at nearby Eddystone Café with its unrivalled panoramic views and you have your ideal holiday in a nutshell.
Things to see in the Tamar Valley during your break
There are many sensational points of interest along the ever-winding River Tamar but perhaps none more so than the magnificent 100-year-old railway viaduct at vibrant village Calstock. Standing at 120 feet tall with 12 sixty-foot arches and incredibly one of the last great viaducts in the whole of Britain, it carries the famous Tamar Valley railway from Plymouth city centre to Gunnislake, a popular mining village in the 1900’s. Want to savour the local cuisine? Gunnislake is also home to The Rising Sun Inn, a pub that offers its customers good hearty British food and a choice of cask ales. Calstock, on the other hand, is all about acres of natural woodland and cute riverside streets and houses which are admired from miles around. Are you and your family culture vultures? How about checking out Calstock Arts, a community run arts centre located in a beautifully converted old chapel? With a wide range of events throughout the year like classical music to comedy, you’ll never be bored from your visit to this boisterous little town.
Let the train do the hard work whilst the scenery passes by
Interested in seeing the lush green landscapes and riverside crossings from a great height? The scenic Tamar Valley Line is the ideal way to travel for one of the best 45 minutes of your life. Sit back, relax and enjoy views out of your window like National Trust owned Tudor-style Cotehele House and Gardens and the riverside village of Bere Ferrers on the Bere Peninsula, also host to an annual and increasingly popular Spring Flower Show.
Why not stop off at this tranquil village and enjoy a 3-mile circular walk that is famed for its winged wonders like herons, buzzards and kingfishers or keep hopping on and off the train with the Tamar Valley Line Rail Ale Trail?
Tradition and history for leisure and pleasure
Famed for mining in medieval times, including the production of copper in the 1800’s, there was once over 100 mines dotted along the river. This is evident in the valley’s four main ancient towns; Launceston, home to the nationally famous Launceston Castle and the perfect spot for a Cornish Cream Tea, Tavistock, a flourishing market town with a wide range of quirky shops, Callington, whose skyline is dominated by the 15th century St Mary’s Church and Saltash, an ideal location for tourists wanting to see Brunel’s masterpiece built in 1859; the Royal Albert Bridge.
The Tamar Valley is not just a shining light in South West England, but also in the whole of the UK. So, get your bags packed, dive into the area’s history and enjoy 75 square miles of immense beauty today.
Additional information about the Tamar Valley, Devon and Cornwall:
- http://cottage-holidays-in-cornwall.co.uk
- http://www.countrycottagesdevonengland.co.uk
- holiday homes in the Tamar Valley on the Cornish/Devon border