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Tamar Valley Tourist Information Isambard Brunel Bridge Sailing Saltash Cornwall
Saltash is on the up and up in terms of celebrating and marking it's own history. With the opening of the little Saltash Local History Museum with shop and new exhibition on Brunel - situated on Lower Fore Street and plans afoot to convert the derelict railway station into a local history and information centre, it's now easy to get information on the town's historic buildings and sites, including the one time cottage of Sir Francis Drake's wife Mary Newman and of course the structural marvel - the Royal Albert Bridge.
Saltash is also a centre for sailing and gig racing. See the Saltash Sailing Club website for more details (linked right).
Saltash Town Heritage Trail
Check in at the museum and shop for leaflets on Saltash town trails viewing the bridge, a bust of Brunel adjacent, the Guildhall and one of Saltash's most popular visiting haunts the renowned Elliott's Store. Also situated on Lower Fore Street, this historic grocery store dates back to 1903. It's no recreation - this is the real thing. The owner did not modernise it as he had an idea of turning it into a museum, and so it is now in the hands of the Tamar Protection Society. The original stock and parlor are particularly fascinating - well worth a look in and a unique historical building indeed.
Saltash Museum and Local History Centre at 17 Lower Fore Street, Saltash, Cornwall. PL12 6JQ. Tel: 01752 848466.
The Royal Albert Bridge & Isambard Kingdom Brunel
Penbloth lowen dhyso-jy, Mester Brunel"" (Happy Birthday Mr Brunel/Saltash Royal Albert Bridge Website) 2006 sees Bi-centennial celebrations in Cornwall for Isambard Brunel (1806-1859), with other areas and cities like Bristol joining in. Saltash can lay claim to one of Brunel's greatest engineering achievements the Royal Albert Bridge, built to carry the railway from Devon to Cornwall across the Tamar River - Brunel actually died in 1859 just before the bridge's completion. It's nearly 150 years old this Bowstring suspension bridge, yet it still has the power to astound with it's great cables and iron plate girders!
Isambard Brunel was the son of an engineer, making his development into one of Britain's most renowned engineers, working prolifically during the industrial revolution on viaducts and bridges for the Great Western Railway, several ships and this amazing suspension bridge here in Saltash (his last work). Daring and risky, say recent biographies, Brunel was interested in pushing boundaries and woe betide anyone who got in his way - recent private diaries point to black moods which he kept well hidden. Born in Portsmouth in 1806, Brunel went on to train in Hove near Brighton then joined his father's engineering business. He really began to demonstrate the depth of his abilities as chief engineer to the Great Western Railway.
For full details of activities in Saltash around the Brunel Festival 2006 check the Royal Albert Bridge weblink right. Also, check out the new Brunel Exhibition in the new Saltash Local History Museum on Lower Fore Street.
Saltash Sailing & Sailing Club
Saltash, as you'd expect with it being situated alongside the River Tamar, is a bit of a hotspot for sailing (see the Saltash Sailing Club website right for details on Saltash Regattas, Saltash Dinghy racing and Yacht mooring).
Check out too the Saltash Regatta Weblink right. Saltash Regatta is a full on affair with gig racing and more. It's held annually every July. There's also some informative Saltash Leaflets to download on the Saltash Regatta website.
At the Saltash Sailing Club there's a waiting list for Dinghy hire so book well in advance via the website if you're interested. There's a good clubhouse with facilities on-site. Incidentally The Caradon Gig Club which is affiliated to the Saltash Sailing Club are currently World Gig Champions! Sailing is a serious affair round these parts of Cornwall and this club is a busy one. Check the website for more details (linked right).
Saltash Sailing Club, Tamar St, Saltash. PL12 4EL. Tel: 01752 845988.
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Tourist Information
Internet Links
- Saltash Town Trail & Tourist Information
- Tamar River Cruises
- Saltash Sailing Club
- Tamar Valley Areas of Outstanding Beauty
- Canoe Tamar - Canoeing on the River Tamar
- The Royal Albert Bridge & Brunel by Alex!
- Official Royal Albert Bridge Website & Saltash Brunel Festival
- The Tamar Bridge
- Saltash Museum & Heritage
- Saltash Regatta held in July annually