Tamar Valley National Landscape – Wooded Valleys, Tidal Rivers, and Mining Heritage

A Deep River Valley Landscape Shaped by Industry, Woodland, and Water

The Tamar Valley National Landscape lies along the lower reaches of the River Tamar, forming a natural boundary between Cornwall and Devon in South West England. This calm, rural landscape offers a very different walking experience from the region’s open moorland and exposed coastline, defined instead by shelter, intimacy, and a strong sense of continuity shaped by water, woodland, and working land.

Walking journeys in the Tamar Valley are characterised by gentle gradients, enclosed paths, and a slower pace of exploration. Routes follow riverside footpaths, quiet lanes, and historic tracks linking small villages, ferry crossings, and ancient quays. The valley’s wooded slopes and meandering waterways create a sense of immersion, with walking often framed by trees, hedgerows, and ever-changing reflections on the river below.

The landscape’s character is closely tied to its industrial and maritime past. Remnants of copper and arsenic mining, old quays, lime kilns, and riverside warehouses appear regularly along walking routes, offering insight into a time when the Tamar was a major transport artery connecting inland mines with coastal ports. Today, these features sit quietly within a largely agricultural and woodland setting, adding depth and texture to the walking experience.

Unlike the exposure of nearby uplands, walking here is sheltered and year-round. The valley’s microclimate supports lush vegetation, orchards, and wildlife-rich habitats, making it particularly appealing in spring and autumn. River crossings, including historic ferries and bridges, provide natural waypoints, while estuary walks reveal tidal creeks, mudflats, and birdlife shaped by the meeting of land and sea.

Village-based walking is central to the Tamar Valley experience. Settlements such as Calstock, Cotehele, and small riverside hamlets act as natural hubs for short walks and longer linear routes. These villages retain a working character, with strong links to farming, forestry, and river life rather than tourism, reinforcing the landscape’s understated appeal.

Beyond walking, the Tamar Valley National Landscape supports a range of low-impact outdoor activities. Canoeing and kayaking follow the river’s calm reaches, cycling uses quiet lanes and old mineral routes, and wildlife watching is rich throughout the valley, from kingfishers and otters along the water to bats and birds within the woodland canopy.

Accommodation is scattered across the valley and surrounding hills, including independent inns, riverside cottages, farm stays, and small guesthouses. Many bases sit directly on walking routes, allowing visitors to explore the valley on foot without needing to travel far between stages.

For walkers seeking gentle landscapes, historic routes, and a quieter side of South West England, the Tamar Valley National Landscape offers a deeply rewarding destination shaped by rivers, woodland, and centuries of shared history.

Where to Walk and Explore

River Tamar & Riverside Paths

Level and gently undulating walking along the river’s edge, passing historic quays, ferry points, and wooded banks.

Woodland Valleys & Tributaries

Sheltered routes through oak and mixed woodland following smaller rivers and streams into the main valley.

Mining Heritage Trails

Paths linking old mine sites, chimneys, and industrial remains that tell the story of the valley’s working past.

Rolling Hills & Farmland

Quiet lanes and field-edge paths across pastoral countryside above the river, offering broader views and open walking.

Village-to-Village Routes

Linear and circular walks connecting riverside villages, estates, and historic settlements along both sides of the Cornwall–Devon border.

Adventure Highlights

• Calm riverside walking through wooded valleys
• Historic quays, ferries, and industrial heritage
• Wildlife-rich riverbanks and woodland habitats
• Quiet lanes and gentle gradients ideal for slower travel
• Canoeing and kayaking on sheltered waters
• One of South West England’s most peaceful landscapes