New Trail of Discovery at Tamar Valley

Take the opportunity to explore and discover the beautiful Tamar Valley and its
historic towns and villages with this trail. As well as travelling by car some of the
places can be visited by boat or by train.

The River Tamar is steeped in history and forms the natural border between
Devon and Cornwall. This area was shaped by the mining industry which is still
evident in the landscape.

The town of Tavistock was extensively remodelled by the 7th Duke of Bedford using his wealth from the mines. His wife, the Duchess of Bedford single-handedly changed the eating habits of a nation. The story goes that in the 1840s she was visiting her friend the 5th Duke of Rutland at Belvoir Castle when she found herself faint from hunger in the mid-afternoon. Having decided that feeling peckish in the afternoon was most undesirable, she created a light meal made up of cakes and sandwiches to accompany her beloved pot of tea and the traditional English afternoon tea was created.

Please click here to access the trail.