Tamar Valley AONB

Covering some 75 square miles of land, the Tamar Valley AONB is rich in history and possesses some of the most incredible landscapes in the southwest. Located on the Devon and Cornwall boarder, the valley has been shaped by the rivers that run through the area as well as by miners looking for silver and tin in the medieval era, and copper in the 1800s. Not only does it have a fascinating history, the Tamar Valley is also an important haven for wildlife such as otters, avocets and egrets. 

Whilst the landscape here is not quite as unspoilt as Dartmoor, there are still plenty of beautiful locations to explore within the Tamar Valley, so much so that it has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The Tamar Valley provides a host of delightful experiences for those who choose to explore its picturesque landscape on foot or bike, offering an intimate and immersive connection with nature. 

In 1844 a copper seam was discovered that was so big it led to a 50-year mining boom and the creation of Europe's biggest mine, Devon Great Consols. This area is located near Tavistock and during this time the town changed dramatically to cater for the thousands of people who moved here to work in the mines. Due to this growth in popularity, which had almost doubled, the Dukes of Bedford invested their mining profits in creating new public buildings and homes for industrial workers.  

Sitting within the Tamar Valley AONB, Morwellham Quay is a historic port that supported the Great Devon Consols in the 19th century. Originally set up by the Benedictine monks of Tavistock Abbey to carry goods to and from Plymouth, the mine peaked in the Victorian era due to its wealth of copper and thus Tavistock Canal was developed linking the town to the quay where cargo could be loaded into ships. Today Morwellham Quay is a family friendly attraction open 7 days a week to allow visitors imagine what village life would have been here in the 1800s, and the canal is still in use to supply water to a hydro-eclectic power plant here.  

This area and the broader Cornwall and West Devon mining landscape has been appointed UNESCO World Heritage status, meaning it’s on par with other wonders of the world like Machu Pichu and Stonehenge. The substantial remains of this terrain are a testimony of the contribution that the area made to the industrial revolution in Great Britain and the influence this production had on the landscape. The deep underground mines, engine houses, foundries, towns and ports are all a reflection of the time and can still be found today. 

For more information on the Tamar Valley visit the Tamar Valley website here.