|
|
|
The Tamar is a pleasant touring river being wide and fairly predictable for most of its length, with quiet pools and small rapids interspersed with weirs ranging from 2 - 4 feet in height. These 'V' shaped weirs are usually best shot in the middle but demand extreme caution in high water when serious stoppers are common. They can be portaged on the left bank but care must be taken to avoid the fishing stands which are built out into the river and which can be serious obstacles when the river is high. It should also be noted that the speed and quantity of flow during floods can make it impossible or at least very difficult to 'swim' a capsized canoe to the bank; paddlers should therefore be of at least two star standard (Inland).
Written permission is required from access officer and the Season is 16th October to 28th February.
The tidal River Tamar is a public navigation and therefore can be canoed all the year round. The top of the estuary above Cotehele is sheltered and meandering. The river water flows with the direction of tidal flow, there being only small eddies and break out places close in against the banks. Below Cotehele the rivers' banks open out and the river becomes more exposed to wind and can get very choppy. The main currents run in the tidal direction but against the inside banks of bends there is often an eddy with the current moving against the main flow direction. The insides of bends between Halton Quay and Cargreen are shallow at times. Below Cargreen there is no shelter at all until the Saltash Bridges.
The flow of water during the ebbing tide is fast and attempting to make progress against the current in canoes is not to be recommended. At high tide and on incoming tides upstream canoeing is possible, allowing an attractive 'there and back' trip from Calstock or Cotehele up to Wear Head.
Most slips and access points to the river are privately owned though most owners do not charge for access. Some require that you ask before crossing their property. All landowners and slip owners have been most helpful in compiling this guide, you are asked to park sensibly, follow the country code and the canoeists code.There are some legal requirements that all river traffic, including canoes, must keep at least 50 metres from the moored Royal Navy barges in the river above Saltash and the Ammunition Wharf and Pier above the Tamar Bridge on the St. Budeaux bank.
Launching is possible at all stages of the tide from the following access points, if not from a proper hard slipway then at worst by sliding down the steep mud banks to the water. Landing however below half tide is at the best messy and at Morwellham impossible due to the high, steep mud banks. Landing at low water at Saltash and St. Budeaux is easy, and clean.
Gunnislake (GR 435707)
The most
upstream access is near Gunnislake, Cornish side. Access to the river is just
below Lock Cottage where the Tamar Canal joins the river. Limited parking is
available at the triangular space by the cottages 200 metres from the river.
Permission for access is required from Mr. Beecham, Tavistock 832818, or Mr.
Hill, Tavistock 832842. Launch or land at any stage of the tide. Shops and
toilets in Gunnislake, 1 mile away. Gunnislake Weirhead is not shootable safely
due to a concrete apron at low tide and low river levels, and a dangerous
enclosed stopper during flood conditions. There is no land access to this weir.
There are some smaller shootable weirs between Lock Cottage and Weirhead. These
can be approached from downstream and provide some good white water canoeing
though they are covered at high tide. You are asked to keep away if the pools
enclosed by these weirs are being fished, as it is by permission of the South
Tamar Fisheries that access is allowed to the river at Lock Cottage. The river
down to Morwellham is sheltered and particularly beautiful, perhaps the most
scenic in the West Country.
Morwellham (GR 446697)
After
2.5kms you reach Morwellham on the Devon bank. Contact Morwellham Recreational
Centre, Tavistock 832766. This is private land and permission is necessary to
launch or land though canoeists are welcome. Landing below half tide is very
difficult due to deep steep mud banks. The Morwellham Open Air Museum is open
all year round, (admission fees are payable), allow 4 to 5 hours for a visit.
There is ample parking, toilets, shop, cafe and many features of local
industrial archeological interest.
Calstock, (GR 436685)
After a
further 3kms is Calstock on the Cornish bank. There is a public slipway here
and a car park. Launching and landing is possible at all times, though muddy at
low tide. Facilities include toilet, public house, shops, cafe, and a historic
village setting. This is a more practical starting point than Gunnislake and
with the tide behind you it is possible to paddle upstream from here. Cotehele
Quay, (GR 423681) follows after another 1 km on the Cornish bank. This is a
picturesque National Trust site with ample parking and a slip which can be used
at any stage of tide. A small daily launch fee is payable to the Car Park
Attendant. Toilets, cafe and Cotehele House and restaurant are found here. The
river becomes more open and exposed below Cotehele.
Halton Quay (GR 413655)
After
another 2.7kms, or 9.2 kms from Gunnislake Halton Quay is found on the Cornish
bank. You may launch and land at any stage of the tide but it is very muddy
below half tide. This is private land used by a company, Tamar Canoe
Expedition, whose proprietor, Mr E.C.S. Coryton, should be contacted before you
use the quay. Phone/Fax: 01579 351113. Weir Quay, (GR 433647) is another 2.5kms
downstream on the Devon bank. Use the slip by the Sailing Club freely at any
stage of the tide. It belongs to Weir Quay Boat Yard who offer facilities for
boats and canoes including storage. There are no toilets or shops.
Cargreen (GR 436626)
Two
kilometres further on the Cornish bank is Cargreen. Launch or land at any state
of the tide freely by agreement of The Spaniards Inn, Saltash 842830, who only
require notice from parties at busy times (summer weekends). Parking, pub food,
licensed restaurant, toilets are available here. The Tavy estuary joins the
Tamar just to the south and the river becomes more open and exposed below
Cargreen. Saltash, (GR 433586) lies on the Cornish bank, 3.5kms below Cargreen
and 17kms from Gunnislake. Launch and land easily at any stage of the tide at
two places (i) above the bridges at the Council slipway, or (ii)on the old
ferry slip just below the bridges or the beach at Waterside. Ample parking,
toilets, pubs, etc can be found here. Alternatively, on the Devon bank at
St.Budeaux, (GR 436585) is an all tide slipway with parking, toilets and pubs
just downstream of the bridges. Beware of strong currents around the bridge
piers at some of the tide flow. Below this point the river becomes wider, more
exposed and very busy. It is possible, though, to continue into Plymouth Sound
via the Hamoaze, but note the legal restrictions described above. The Sound
should be treated as open sea canoeing and not river touring.
High Water at Plymouth : Dover minus 5½ hours
High water at Gunnislake: Approximately 1 hour after Plymouth.