A charming Cornish village that looks over the river to Devon is a hidden gem – and there’s galleries, pubs and scenic walks to explore. Being inland, this picturesque place doesn’t get too saturated with tourists, so I love visiting this village for its true Cornish vibe.
Despite being tucked away, the village of Calstock is surprisingly easy to get to by train. What’s more, it’s part of a rail journey that has been named UK’s “most scenic”, taking you through the counties of Devon and Cornwall. There’s another fun way to travel to Calstock too, in the spring and summer season, via a boat trip from Plymouth’s Barbican.
I sailed into Calstock on a Plymouth Boat Trips ferry last summer and I highly recommend it, the harbour cruise to the riverside village is so scenic and enjoyable.
Plymouth Boat Trips details the ferry trip on their website: “A truly idyllic cruise to experience the stunning scenery of the Tamar Valley. Setting sail across Plymouth Sound and up the River Tamar to the picturesque Cornish village of Calstock.
“Leaving the busy city behind we pass the Naval Dockyard and Brunel’s famous bridge, taking in the beautiful sights of the Tamar Valley, passing Cargreen, Wier Quay, Pentille, Holton and Cotehele.”
The cruise is generally very sociable, when I took this ferry trip to Calstock with a couple of companions we got chatting to lots of other passengers – and views along the River Tamar were stunning.
Then the boat moors up on the river banks of Calstock and you can alight for a few hours before the return journey; this gives passengers a chance to have a good look around the village.
When I visited Calstock we popped into a local pub, The Boot Inn, which appears to still be going strong as a recent TripAdvisor review describes it as “a lovely friendly place” where they enjoyed a “brilliant” Sunday roast beef lunch.
You can also take the Tamar Valley Line from Plymouth to Calstock – and this railway has been named “the most scenic train ride in the UK”.
You’ll journey through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty passing pretty villages and scenic river crossings, as you come into Calstock the train crosses an historic viaduct, constructed in the early 1900s.
Calstock Viaduct is a stunning view from the village itself – and the structure dominates the landscape of the village, linking Cornwall to nearby Devon.
The Cornish village of Calstock is naturally divided from Devon by the River Tamar, so it’s Cornwall on one side of the river and Devon on the other – and many historical battles have been fought on these banks in times gone by.
The Escape To Britain notes: “Calstock lies alongside the River Tamar, an area of Cornwall often neglected in favour of more popular Cornish destinations such as St Ives and the Lizard coastline.
“However, what you’ll find should you venture to this UNESCO world heritage site is plenty of Roman history and some gorgeous architecture.”
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