Saltash

Saltash combines Cornwall’s history with impressive crossings over the Tamar and a variety of discoveries for days spent enjoying culture and nature. The town is a suitable base for travellers who want to include historic buildings, local stories and scenic paths in their itinerary. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house, it is therefore worth considering the pace of holiday you want: would you mainly like to learn about the town’s history, explore the river area or combine both?

Historic insights in the heart of Saltash

A striking example of the local history is the Saltash Chronicles. This elaborately embroidered artwork depicts important moments from the town’s history and makes its historical development visible in an unusual way. Mary Newman’s Cottage also offers an insight into an earlier era: the Grade II listed cottage dates from around 1480. It is authentically furnished, and visitors can see Tudor utensils, costumes and games there. The garden is laid out in the Elizabethan style.

Elliott’s Shop offers another perspective on the past. The preserved local grocery shop displays household goods from the 1960s and 1970s. As a typical grocery shop from the 1970s, it is designed as a time capsule of shopping culture before the rise of supermarkets and online retail. There is a salon in the basement, while two exhibition rooms upstairs tell the story of the Elliott family and the building through texts, artefacts and pictures. This allows Saltash to bring together broad historical developments and everyday life in the past.

Bridges, river and scenic paths

The Tamar shapes orientation around Saltash. The Tamar Bridge carries the A38 across the river between Plymouth on the east bank and Saltash on the west bank. A dedicated foot and cycle path also makes the bridge interesting for active exploration. The Tamar Bridge Bike and Foot Path is a walking and cycling route across the Tamar between Cornwall and Devon. Those who like to combine an excursion with a specific destination can experience the transition between the two counties without losing sight of the town’s history.

For a day in nature, the Lynher View Walk is a good option. The path is 460 metres long and wheelchair accessible, while also offering beautiful views over the Lynher Estuary. This information is helpful when planning the day if you are looking for a shorter route with a landscape experience. Churchtown Farm lies within the Tamar Valley National Landscape. Public access is maintained in cooperation with Saltash Town Council. This means the site complements the historic attractions with a landscape where the surroundings of the Tamar take centre stage.

Town centre and special memories

Fore Street was the historic entrance to Cornwall for travellers crossing the Tamar. Today, it is home to independent shops, cafés, a cinema, historic buildings and several local pasty shops. This gives families and other travel groups a choice between cultural experiences, a break at a café and a stroll through the town. Saltash railway station is a five-minute walk from the town centre.

Another notable memorial is a life-size fibreglass statue of Ann sitting on a bench. It was unveiled in Saltash in September 2013 and has an audio recording about important events from Ann’s life. Together with the Saltash Chronicles, this detail shows how the town’s history can be encountered not only in buildings, but also in public representations and stories.

Which type of stay suits you?

A holiday apartment in Saltash suits an itinerary that combines culture and landscape. For historical discoveries, you can focus on Mary Newman’s Cottage, Elliott’s Shop, Fore Street and the bridge structures. For a day focused on nature, the Lynher View Walk and Churchtown Farm are good options. The Royal Albert Bridge, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, carries the main railway line into Cornwall and complements the Tamar Bridge with another defining structure of the region. This allows you to shape your stay according to your interests without limiting yourself to just one type of excursion.

More places for planning your trip

If you would like to compare Saltash with other places in the surrounding area, you can also find Penryn, Pensilva, Lanlivery, Luxulyan, Saint Just in Roseland, Saint Mawgan, Trelash and St Teath here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Cornwall.