The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or TVAONB for short, is a special area around the rivers Tamar, Tavy and Lynher. The area is famous for its mining heritage landscape. A team of dedicated staff and volunteers run projects and coordinate work to protect the Valley. On one side is Devon, the other Cornwall. The Tamar Valley extends north from the broad estuary at Plymouth to the intricate, deeply incised river that meanders just below Launceston and Tavistock. It borders Dartmoor National Park to the east and the Kit Hill area to the west. The exceptional cultural significance of the Cornish mining landscape transcends international boundaries. The permanent protection of this countryside is important to people all over the world. This is why the area has been given World Heritage status. ‘World Heritage’ status gives recognition to ‘Cornish Mining’s’ excellence as a world class cultural heritage site and recognises the importance of ‘Cornish Mining’s’ historic landscapes, its outstanding mine buildings and other features, in addition to its important role in technological innovation and scientific research.
The Tamar Valley has something for everyone – from walking, cycling, horse riding along one of our recreational trails, golfing on one of the world famous courses, to shopping, sight-seeing and visiting historic houses, gardens and National Trust Properties. You can also take a train along the historic 'Tamar Valley Railway Line' to appreciate the beauty of this scenic journey to and from Plymouth, through the Bere peninsula, across the historical viaduct to Calstock and on to Gunnislake.
It’s beautiful. It’s natural. It’s outstanding. Come and explore!
Just some of the beautiful & fun places to visit and enjoy are: (all timings are estimated by car)
Activities & Family Days Out
* For activities such as; Hiking; Canoeing or Mountain Biking in the Valley...… Visit : http://www.tamartrails.co.uk/ (10 mins)
* The Tamar Valley Donkey Park & Play Barn... Visit: http://www.donkeypark.com/ (2 mins)
* Dartmoor Zoo.... Visit: https://www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk/ (45 mins)
* Dartmoor National Park.... Visit: https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/ (25 mins)
* Woodlands Theme Park.... Visit: https://www.woodlandspark.com/ (60 mins)
* National Marine Aquarium … Visit: https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/ (40 mins)
* Flambards Theme Park.... Visit: https://www.flambards.co.uk/ (60 mins)
* Eden Project..... Visit: https://www.edenproject.com/ (60 mins)
* Camel Trail (cycling) - Bodmin - Wadebridge - Padstow…. Visit: https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/cycling/north-coast/padstow/camel-trail ( Bodmin 40 mins)
Golfing, Leisure & Spa
* St Mellion International Resort... Visit: https://st-mellion.co.uk/ (10 mins)
* Trethorne Golf Club..... Visit: https://www.trethornegolfclub.com/ (25 mins)
* Tregenna ... Visit: https://www.britainsfinest.co.uk/golfcourses/tregenna-castle-resort (75 mins)
* Yelverton Golf Course... Visit: https://www.yelvertongolf.co.uk/ (25 mins)
National Trust Houses and Gardens
* Cotehele House, Gardens & Quay... Visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele (5 mins)
* Buckland Abbey... Visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey (25 mins)
* Saltram… Visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram (35 mins)
* Lanhydrock… Visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock (45 mins)
* Lydford Gorge & Castle... Visit... https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge (35 mins)
* St Michael's Mount Church & Castle.. Visit: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/st-michaels-mount (90 mins)
English Heritage Attractions
* Dupath Well... Visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dupath-well/ (5 mins)
* Launceston Castle... Visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/launceston-castle/ (25 mins)
* Pendennis Castle... Visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle/ (70 mins)
* Hurler's Stone Circle... Visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/hurlers-stone-circles/ (30 mins)
* Royal Citadel Plymouth.. Visit: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/royal-citadel-plymouth/ (40 mins)
Beaches
For a range of stunning beaches that surround the area, of which there are many.... Please visit: https://coastradar.com/search/?geodir_search=1&stype=gd_place&s=+&spost_category%5B%5D=1&snear=Callington+PL17+8NQ%2C+UK&sgeo_lat=50.5124787&sgeo_lon=-4.2393368
Villages, Market Towns & Cities for exploring or shopping
* Calstock - (8 mins)
* Callington - (10 mins)
* Tavistock (15 mins)
* Launceston ( 25 mins)
* Plymouth ( 35 mins)
* Truro (60 mins)
* Newquay (45 mins)
* Port Isaac - Doc Martin Filming Location (60 mins)
* Padstow (70 mins)
* Cape Cornwall (100 mins)
Pubs & Restaurants
The Honicombe Arms ( on-site)
The Carpenters Arms (Lower Metherell)
Who'd Have Thought It Inn (St Dominic)
The Manor House Inn (Rilla Mill)
Royal Inn (Horsebridge)
Rising Sun (Gunnislake)