Calstock Cornwall – Riverside Village in the Tamar Valley with Iconic Viaduct Views
Calstock in Cornwall
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CALSTOCK
Calstock is a small village in the Tamar Valley, its tall white houses clinging to the steep Cornish bank of the River Tamar some fourteen miles upriver from Plymouth Sound. It has been a river crossing and landing place for centuries, and the whole valley is now protected as the Tamar Valley National Landscape.
The village is dominated by its splendid railway viaduct. Built between 1904 and 1907 and opened in 1908, its twelve arches carry the Tamar Valley Line between Plymouth and Gunnislake high above the river – originally linking the main line at Bere Alston with the East Cornwall Mineral Railway.
Calstock’s heyday as a port came in the 19th century, when it served an area of intense mining and industrial activity – many remains of which can still be seen in the valley – and a rural parish renowned for growing fruit and flowers. A small boatyard is still active, and the river is navigable from Plymouth at high tide.
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COTEHELE (NATIONAL TRUST)
About a mile downriver by footpath lies the enchanting Tudor house and estate of Cotehele, owned by the National Trust since 1947, with its river quay, working watermill, gardens and glorious woodland walks.
Built mainly by Sir Richard Edgcumbe and his son Piers between the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Cotehele is one of the least altered houses of its age in Britain – a unique mirror into the past, with its original furniture, armour and tapestries.
Down at Cotehele Quay lies the restored Tamar sailing barge Shamrock, built in 1899 to carry cargo on the Tamar and the coast and bought by the National Trust in 1974. A little further through the woods is Cotehele Mill, the estate’s restored working watermill.
Read more about Cotehele House · Walking at Cotehele
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VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking & EV Charging
There is a public car park by the quay. Parking at Calstock station is reserved for rail users; drivers can also park on Sand Lane above the station and walk down. The National Trust car parks serve Cotehele.
Electric vehicle charging: no public charge point in the village itself – the nearest are:
- Cotehele (National Trust car park) – 8 × 22kW Type 2 (RAW Charging), PL12 6TA
- New Road car park, Callington – 50kW rapid charger (PoGo Charge), PL17 7BE
Bus & Train
Calstock station is on the scenic Tamar Valley Line between Plymouth and Gunnislake – crossing the viaduct is part of the fun. Buses serve Callington, Gunnislake and Tavistock.
Facilities & Supermarkets
Pubs, refreshments and a picnic area by the quay, with toilets and a National Trust reception at Cotehele. The nearest supermarkets are in Callington and Tavistock:
- Tesco – Tavistock Road, Callington PL17 7RD
- B&M – New Road, Callington PL17 7BE
- Morrisons – 128–130 Plymouth Road, Tavistock PL19 9DS
- Tesco – Plymouth Road Retail Park, Tavistock PL19 9QN
Cafés & Restaurants
Pubs and a café by the quay, the restaurant at Cotehele House and the Edgcumbe tea room at Cotehele Quay (National Trust), with more choice in Tavistock.
Health
The nearest Minor Injury Unit is at Tavistock Hospital, with the Cumberland Centre Urgent Treatment Centre in Plymouth. Call NHS 111 for urgent advice and 999 in an emergency. The nearest major A&E is Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Disabled Access
The village is built on a steep hillside; the quay and riverside are level, but the climb up to the station and most streets is steep. Cotehele has its own accessibility information.
Vets
There is no vet in the village; the nearest practices are in Callington and Tavistock. Use the RCVS directory to find the nearest practice and out-of-hours care.
National Trust & English Heritage
The National Trust’s Cotehele – the Tudor house, gardens, quay and working mill – is about a mile downriver; opening times vary through the year. English Heritage cares for Dupath Well near Callington and Launceston Castle.
Attractions
Cotehele, the Tamar Trails and Kit Hill Country Park are close by, and Morwellham Quay is just across the river in Devon. Further afield are Trethorne Leisure Park and Hidden Valley near Launceston.
STAY & EXPLORE NEAR CALSTOCK
Accommodation
Tamar Valley Villages
- Gunnislake – approx. 3 miles
- Callington – approx. 5 miles
- Saltash – approx. 10 miles
- St Germans
Local Attractions
- Cotehele House & Quay (National Trust) – approx. 1 mile
- Cotehele Mill (NT) – approx. 2 miles
- Tamar Valley National Landscape
- Minions & Bodmin Moor – approx. 12 miles
Walks
A 3-mile loop from Calstock station follows the river to Cotehele Quay and back through the Danescombe valley – moderate, with a short steep descent to the quay.
Back to the South East Cornwall area guide – all Caradon towns & villages
Cornwall Online | South East Cornwall Towns and Villages | Looe | Talland Bay | Polperro | Polruan | Fowey | Lostwithiel | Mevagissey | Whitsand Bay & The Rame Peninsula | Kingsand | Cawsand | Mount Edgcumbe Country Park | Torpoint | St Germans | Saltash | Liskeard | Siblyback Lake - Water Park | Minions - Hurlers - Bodmin Moor | St Neot | St Cleer | Callington | Gunnislake | Calstock | Cardinham Woods - Walking & Cycle Trails | Launceston |