The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or TVAONB for short, is a special area around the rivers Tamar, Tavy and Lynher. The area is famous for its mining heritage landscape. A team of dedicated staff and volunteers run projects and coordinate work to protect the Valley.
On one side is Devon, the other Cornwall. The Tamar Valley extends north from the broad estuary at Plymouth to the intricate, deeply incised river that meanders just below Launceston and Tavistock. It borders Dartmoor National Park to the east and the Kit Hill area to the west.
The exceptional cultural significance of the Cornish mining landscape transcends international boundaries. The permanent protection of this countryside is important to people all over the world. This is why the area has been given World Heritage status.
‘World Heritage’ status gives recognition to ‘Cornish Mining’s’ excellence as a world class cultural heritage site and recognises the importance of ‘Cornish Mining’s’ historic landscapes, its outstanding mine buildings and other features, in addition to its important role in technological innovation and scientific research. To find out more visit the Cornish Mining site