Out and About with Tavistock Ramblers
A three-and-a-half-mile walk in the Tamar Valley with Anne Sleep of Tavistock Ramblers.
Starting in the heart of Bere Alston at the Recreation Ground car park (SX451667) the walk takes us deep into the Tamar Valley with a few ups and downs. There are breathtaking views over the river to Calstock and reminders of the times when daffodil growing was a big industry hereabouts.
- Turn right out of the car park and walk carefully to the end of the road and turn left. Carry straight on at the crossroads passing a house called Highfield on the right.
- At the next crossroads turn left into Broad Park Road.
- Continue for nearly half a mile before turning right into Tuckermarsh Lane (opposite Drake’s Park). After 120m (on the sharp bend) go through a wooden gate on the left signed as a footpath and then immediately right through a metal gate to cross a field. There are splendid views of Kit Hill, Calstock and the viaduct, completed in 1907 and still in use. The path descends through woodland to meet a track.
- Go left and almost immediately bear right on a wide track. Go to the left of the entrance to Dean Farm and then gently downhill on a good track through oak woodland.
- At the bottom, turn right behind the cottages at Tuckermarsh Quay where there was once a regular ferry crossing to the Cornish side. Take time to admire the river view before walking up the track away from the river. Ignore a bridge on the left and continue ahead on a footpath climbing through the woods with a stream on the left.
- Where the path forks, go left over a wooden footbridge. There is a short steep section before it levels out, becoming a concrete track and passing houses to reach a lane.
- Turn left steeply downhill and go past a few houses to reach a junction. Turn right uphill to cross an old railway bridge with splendid views behind.
- At the top, the remains of Gawton Mine, with its leaning stack, can be seen on the left. Turn right at the crossroads signed for Bere Alston. After nearly half a mile go straight on at another crossroads and back to the start point.
Although this is no longer an area where daffodils are commercially grown, there are still plenty to be seen in spring. The story goes that during the war, the fields of daffodils were cleared to make way for growing vegetables. Many of the bulbs were thrown into the surrounding hedgerows and that's why we still see so many lining our roads and fields today.
Join Anne and other members of Tavistock Ramblers for this walk on Wednesday March 28th. They will be leaving the start point in Bere Alston at 10.00am.
If you can’t make that day, have a look on the website www.tavistockramblers.org.uk for more walks in the area.