National park · United Kingdom
Tamar ValleyTamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Visit Tamar Valley for a day: take the 31‑mile Discovery Trail (45 km (28 mi)) in 4–6 h, or explore the Royal Albert Bridge and Morwellham Quay in 2–3 h; no entry fee, use train from Plymouth; avoid winter storms.Visit Tamar Valley for a day: take the 31‑mile Discovery Trail (28 mi (45 km)) in 4–6 h, or explore the Royal Albert Bridge and Morwellham Quay in 2–3 h; no entry fee, use train from Plymouth; avoid winter storms.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²)
approximate
Established
1991
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 13Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Neither the UK nor Ireland is part of Schengen: days spent here do not count towards the 90/180-day Schengen limit, and a Schengen visa does not admit you to either country.
- Britain and Ireland ↗The island of Ireland runs on two currencies: euro in the Republic, pound sterling in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. Carry a card that pays in both without fees.
- Britain and Ireland ↗Both islands drive on the left. Speed limits are in miles per hour in the UK (including Northern Ireland) and in kilometres per hour in the Republic of Ireland.
- United Kingdom ↗Most visitors who do not need a UK visa now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling; this includes EU nationals. Irish citizens are exempt. Check the UK government site for your passport.
- United Kingdom ↗The UK is outside the EU and the Schengen area; a Schengen visa is not valid for the UK.
- United Kingdom ↗Driving is on the left; London has congestion and emissions charges for most vehicles, so do not drive in the city.
- England ↗Advance single train tickets are far cheaper than walk-up fares; book 2–12 weeks ahead.
- England ↗Most local bus fares in England are capped at £3 per single journey (2025 rule; check locally).
- England ↗Contactless bank cards work on London transport and on many regional buses; no separate card needed.
- West Country ↗A UK railcard (Two Together, Family & Friends) cuts most West Country fares by a third; buy before you travel.
- West Country ↗Country lanes are single-track with high hedges; hire a small car and expect 30–40 mph averages.
At a glance
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Area
- 380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²)
- The AONB covers about 380 km² (check).
- Established
- 1991
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
Tamar Valley spans the Devon‑Cornwall border, offering a 31‑mile river walk, historic mining sites and iconic bridges within a protected landscape.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2006Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape.
- UNESCO Biosphere Reservecheck
- Special national siteArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).
- Special national siteSite of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
- Special national siteSpecial Area of Conservation (SAC).
Size and age
380 km² (147 sq mi)147 sq mi (380 km²) · national park since 1991
The AONB covers about 380 km² (check).
Why go
- Walk the Tamar Discovery Trail for a long valley hike with historic mining sites and river views.
- See engineering landmarks like the Royal Albert Bridge and Calstock Viaduct.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, limited daylight.
- FebCold, occasional storms.
- MarEarly spring, rivers full.
- AprMild, wildfowl migration.
- MayWarm, good walking.
- JunLong days, low rain.
- JulHeat, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugHeat, occasional rain.
- SepWarm, fewer crowds.
- OctCool, autumn colours.
- NovShort days, rain.
- DecCold, limited daylight.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wintering waders (avocet, godwit, redshank)Oct–Mar · Best on mudflats at low tide. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Butterflies and dragonfliesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Plymouth
Train to Gunnislake (Tamar Valley Line) then bus or walk.
1–1.5 h
From Exeter
Train to Plymouth then Tamar Valley Line.
2 h
Open the page →
From London
Train to Plymouth (2 h 30 m) then Tamar Valley Line.
3 h 30 m
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| River Tamar corridor | Trail, riverbank, wildlife habitats. | Open to public. |
| Mining heritage sites | Morwellham Quay, Cotehele, old engine houses. | Open, some with entry fee. |
| Bridge and viaduct area | Royal Albert Bridge, Calstock Viaduct. | Public footpaths. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre of the valley; exact points given for major attractions.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry to Tamar Valley (AONB) | Free | person | Free; parking may charge. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
None no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on lead on trails.
- Camping
- Not permitted in the AONB; use designated campsites nearby.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are scarce.
- Off‑road vehicles
- Prohibited on footpaths and riverbanks.
- Fireworks
- Not allowed in the valley.
Where to stay
Near the park
Plymouth
Hotels, B&Bs, and hostels 20 min drive to southern gate.
Near the park
Saltash
Budget inns and easy rail access.
Near the park
Launceston
Historic town with guesthouses, 10 km (6.2 mi) north of trail end.Historic town with guesthouses, 6.2 mi (10 km) north of trail end.
Safety
River flooding medium
Steep sections low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailheads at Plymouth and Launceston have parking and short paved paths.
- Royal Albert Bridge viewpoint is wheelchair‑accessible via nearby road.
Visiting lightly
- Use the Tamar Valley Line train to reduce car traffic.
- Visit heritage sites that support local conservation funds.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tamar Valley?
There is no entry fee for the valley itself; parking may cost £1‑£2, and individual attractions (e.g., Morwellham Quay) charge separate tickets.
What are the best hikes in Tamar Valley?
The 31‑mile Tamar Discovery Trail is the flagship hike; shorter options include the Royal Albert Bridge walk and the Calstock Viaduct loop.
When is the best time to visit Tamar Valley?
Late spring to early autumn (April‑September) offers mild weather and active wildlife; avoid winter for limited daylight.
Do I need a permit to walk the Discovery Trail?
No permit is required; the trail is public and waymarked.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, dogs are allowed on lead on all public footpaths.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Tamar Valley
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