High water at Plymouth:
Dover minus 5 1/2 hours
High water at
head of estuary: Approx: 1 hour after Plymouth.
Map: OS Landranger 201. One Inch Dartmoor Tourist Map.
The tidal Tamar extends from Wear Head, Gunnislake, past the mouth of the tidal river Tavy and Saltash to the mouth of the tidal river St Germans (or Lynher). From this confluence the Hamoaze (the estuary of these three tidal rivers) continues between Torpoint and Devonport followed by a narrow winding reach (the Narrows) past Devil's Point into Plymouth Sound.
Formerly vessels sailing up the Tamar reached Gunnislake by the Tamar Canal, which bypassed the weir at Wear Head but is now derelict. There is no ingress or egress at the weir itself.
The top of the estuary above Cotehele is sheltered and meandering. From Wear Head past Morwellham it passes through a narrow and very beautiful winding valley between wooded hillsides, opening out a little past Calstock. Above Cotehele the flow of the river water reverses with the direction of the tidal flow. This enables a very attractive "there and back" trip from Calstock or Cotehele up to Wear Head on the flood tide and back on the ebb.
Below Cotehele the main currents run with the direction of the tide but against the inside banks of bends there is often an eddy with the current moving contrary to the main flow direction. The insides of bends between Halton Quay and Cargreen are shallow at times.
Historically the whole of the estuary was used by barge and small coastal shipping, and is a public navigation. But not all slipways and access points are public. At the others the owners often do not charge for use.
Landing at some access points below half tide can be muddy or messy, but launching is always possible. Landing at Saltash and St Budeaux at low water is easy and clean.
There are legal requirements that river craft must keep away from moored naval barges above Saltash and the establishments on the St Budeaux bank above the Tamar bridges.
Access Points with distances from Wear Head.
0. Gunnislake. Cornwall. There is no convenient access near the main road. The only access point is on the Cornwall bank where the channel of the derelict Tamar Canal diverges from the river (GR 435 707) About half a mile below Wear Head. It is usable at all states of the tide, but is not on a road and parking is not feasible. About 200 yards back from the river there are some cottages, from which a track goes past Lock Cottage (on the derelict Canal) to the end of a lane leading in about half a mile to the main road.
2.5. Morwellham Devon. (GR 446 697). Here there is the Morwellham Open Air Museum with the former quays and dock loading facilities for minerals and other products that were brought from the mines in the hills round about for shipment by barge and coastal ships. There are restored village houses, workshops, a school and other features such as inclined planes. The area was abandoned when it went out oF use at the beginning of the 20th century. 4 or 5 hours are needed to see it adequately. There are ample parking facilities, cafe, shop and other facilities. It is privately owned and permission to launch or land is needed. Canoeists are welcome. Tel: Tavistock 832766. Admission fees are payable. Although a slipway has been partly cleared at the dock, which dries out at low tide, landing below half tide is not practicable.
5.5 Calstock Cornwall. (GR 436 685). An historic village in a beautiful setting. Public slipway and car park close to the railway viaduct. Shops, cafe and Inns. A much more practical ingress/egress point than Gunnislake, especially as canoeing to Morwellham and the head of the estuary is practicable from here.
6.5. Cotehele Quay. Cornwall. (GR 423 681). A picturesque National Trust site with cafe, restaurant and ample parking. Cotehele House and gardens up the hill. The slipway can be used at any state of the tide. A launching fee may be levied. The river becomes more open and exposed below Cotehele.
9.2. Halton Quay. Cornwall (GR 413 655). Parking but no facilities. Launch and land at any stage of the tide, but muddy below half tide. This is a private slipway and large groups may experience difficulties. Check with the L.A.O. for the latest details.
11.7. Weir Quay, Devon. (GR 433 647). The slip by the Sailing Club can be used at any state of the tide. The Weir Quay Boatyard offers facilities for boats and canoes including storage. A very long wide reach follows on which waves can easily build up.
13.5. Cargreen Cornwall. (GR 436 626). Land or launch at any state of the tide with agreement of the Crooked Spaniards Inn. Parking and pub food, restaurant, etc. Tel: Saltash 842830. The estuary of the River Tavy joins the Tamar about 3/4 mile to the south on the Devon side, where the estuary is very wide. On the Cornwall side the Landulph creek can be explored on the tide to Moditonham Quay and beyond.
17. Saltash, Cornwall. (GR 433 586). Launch or land easily at any state of the tide.
B.C.U. Local Access Offficer
Peter Crago