Gunnislake: Mining Heritage on the Tamar

For planning your trip to Gunnislake, the mining heritage on the River Tamar, listed buildings and a circular walk starting and ending at the railway station are practical points to consider. The Tamar Valley Line also connects Plymouth with Gunnislake. This allows you to consider historic sites, a route with an approximate duration and the rail connection separately in your plans.

Mining history on the River Tamar

Gunnislake Clitters Mine is a Scheduled Monument, located 1 km west-northwest of the village of Gunnislake in southeast Cornwall. On the steep slope down to the River Tamar are the remains of a copper, tin, arsenic and tungsten mine dating from the 19th to the early 20th century. Tin and copper were mined there intermittently from the 1820s for about 100 years. Public access is permitted; take care around the old buildings, spoil heaps and other structures.

New Bridge and other historic buildings

New Bridge, also known as Gunnislake Bridge, is a Grade I-listed structure over the River Tamar. Built around 1520, the bridge is 55 metres long overall and has six slightly pointed arches. Both names refer to the same bridge. Its approximate date of construction, overall length and number of arches give you specific details to help put the structure in context.

There are also ruined buildings on the quay by New Bridge in Gunnislake. The Tamar Manure Navigation had them built between 1801 and 1802. The Church of St Ann is another listed building in Gunnislake, this time Grade II-listed. It was built in 1880–81 as a chapel of ease for Gunnislake.

The Tamar Canal at Gunnislake includes a canal, a lock, an island and a pond for holding salmon. Together with the bridge and quay buildings, these sites offer a range of specific points of interest if you are interested in the area’s historic buildings and waterways.

Information and trip planning

The Tamar Valley Centre offers a self-service information area for visitors. There you will find an interactive screen, videos and website information. You can book accommodation through the Visit Tamar Valley website; the book Coast to Coast is also available to buy there. If you are looking for information about things to do and a way to book accommodation, these are the services mentioned at the Centre.

The From Gunnislake Station Hingston Down & Albaston Circular Walk is an easy circular walk of about 4½ miles (7.2 km), taking approximately two hours. It starts and ends at Gunnislake railway station. The distance and duration therefore provide a practical framework for planning a day’s walk.

The Tamar Valley Line connects Plymouth with Gunnislake. If you are considering taking the train, check the current timetable in advance. The circular walk returns to its starting point at Gunnislake railway station; the Tamar Valley Trail, by contrast, runs between the outskirts of Plymouth and Launceston. This comparison helps distinguish the local circular walk from the longer regional route.

The wider Tamar Valley area

In the area above and around Calstock and Gunnislake, the Tamar Valley is part of the Cornwall and West Devon World Heritage Sites because of its mining heritage. The Tamar Valley Trail is a 35-mile recreational route from the outskirts of Plymouth to Launceston. It alternates between the Cornish and Devon sides of the valley. Unlike the approximately 7.2-kilometre circular walk starting at Gunnislake railway station, this trail covers a much greater regional distance. The two routes therefore offer different scales for planning, without being the same route.

Discover more destinations: Saint Clether, St Agnes, Looe, Brighton, Saint Just in Roseland, Sennen, Stithians, Poundstock

For the wider travel overview: Cornwall.