This is a constantly-changing landscape which appeals to many senses through the endless patterns of light and water, the sounds of water and birds, and the smells of salt water and mud. The diversity of the estuary margins, and their contrast with the flat, tranquil waters at the heart of the estuary, give this landscape a strong visual appeal. Fringing woodlands and reed beds; silty promontories; mudflats and salt marshes; patches of bright yellow gorse on rocky outcrops; the ribbon of hedgerows above the water, and the stone quays with clusters of colourful houses together create a rich and colourful edge that contrasts with the simple landscapes of the surrounding hills and the open water.
This is a small area comprising the lower reaches of the Tamar and Tavy rivers within the Tamar estuary. The area encloses the river channels, inter-tidal zone, salt marshes and river margins. Upstream to the north and north-east respectively are the Middle Tamar Valley and River Tavy Middle Valley. The transition to the Middle Tamar Valley is gradual, while the start of the River Tavy Middle Valley is marked by the change in river character at Lopwell Dam. To the south is the City of Plymouth, and to the west the county boundary with Cornwall with a corresponding landscape character area on the Cornwall shore.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/west-devon-area/lowe-tamar-and-tavy-valleys
https://www.devon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policies/landscape/devon-character-areas
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The UK’s first National Marine Park
The unique waters of Plymouth Sound have been instrumental in shaping our city and nation’s heritage, culture, wealth and security. The National Marine Park will encourage greater prosperity and engagement with our marine environment.
Building on our current work and existing structures, it will support a new approach to how we value and work in harmony with the natural environment to deliver the greatest benefit for all. Our vision is for a National Marine Park that supports thriving businesses, connected communities and inspired visitors.
The waters of Plymouth Sound are already home to a complex and diverse mix of uses – from naval and commercial ports to diving and fishing – which work effectively alongside some of the most highly protected areas designated for wildlife in the UK. Through our common endeavours these uses and strong partnerships will be respected and importantly developed further.
The National Marine Park has been developed collaboratively, declared locally, and delivered through a spirit of opportunity. We invite the nation to recognise the international significance of Plymouth Sound as we embark on our journey as a proving ground for this innovative new approach.
https://plymouthsoundnationalmarinepark.com/
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A house full of treasures, stories & intrigue. A secret garden to lose yourself in, plus a park that cyclists, walkers, & our four legged friends love.
The garden at Saltram is open and you’ll need to book tickets online or by calling 0344 249 1895 by 3pm the day before your visit. Members can book for free, while non-members will need to pay when booking. We'll be releasing tickets every Friday. Please note we’ll be turning people away who arrive and haven't booked to visit the garden. The shop and Park Café will both reopen from Monday 29 June. We're looking forward to welcoming you back.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/saltram
Saltram Plympton, Plymouth, Devon, PL7 1UH
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NTSaltram/ (10.8k)
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaltramHouseNT (1.9k)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saltramnt/ (3.1k)
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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.
http://www.tamarvalley.org.uk/
Tamar Valley Centre, Drakewalls, Near Gunnislake, Cornwall PL18 9FE
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A dramatic 17th century fortress built to defend the coastline from the Dutch, and keep watch on a recently rebellious town, the Royal Citadel is still in use by the military today.
Due to its nature as an operational military establishment, tours may be suspended or cancelled without prior notice. There are strict regulations for entrance please ensure you read the before you go section for further details.
https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/royal-citadel-plymouth/
Royal Citadel The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 2PD
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South Devon National Character Area (NCA) is predominantly a plateau, dissected by steep valleys and rivers, most rising on the adjoining Dartmoor NCA. Towards the coast the often wooded valleys and rias are remote and hard to access from the land. The majority of the area consists of mixed farming, with fields flanked by Devon hedgebanks and narrow winding lanes. The south of the area contains many internationally important coastal and estuarine habitats. These support populations of wintering waders and wildfowl, rare plant communities and also provide significant carbon storage. Much of the area is a popular visitor destination, with the South West Coast Path National Trail being a major asset. Historic market and coastal towns are strategically located across the area and the two major urban settlements are located at either end of the coastal stretch, Plymouth in the west and Torbay in the east.
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/1911063?category=587130
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If your think England’s 15th largest city is unlikely to be a good place to go birding, think again! Within the city boundaries you can find an excellent variety of habitat including woodland, estuary, parkland, seafront, lakes and marshlands, offering plenty of choice for birders.
Unfortunately despite the wealth of other birdlife in Plymouth, some - once regular - species are in serious decline, reflecting national trends, eg Purple Sandpiper and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker are all but gone. But for the optimist, keep an eye on the rocky shore at West Hoe for the Sandpipers and Saltram, nearby Hardwick Wood or Plym Bridge Wood for the Woodpeckers.
Finally, don’t be put off looking for birds in Plymouth outside the recognised sites. The potential for “anything turning up anywhere” is illustrated by Hume’s Warbler in the city centre, a Long-eared Owl in a flower pot in Peverell and – rarest of all – a Desert Warbler in a Mount Gould garden!
https://www.devonbirds.org/birdwatching/places_to_go/plymouth
Devon Birds sightings
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Westcountry Rivers Trust Rising high on Dartmoor near Devil’s Tor, this ancient river winds its way down through Tavistock where it joins the River Tamar and forms the Bere peninsula.
The River Tavy provides opportunities for all types of recreational activities from kayaking and swimming to bird watching and fishing. This wild river is fantastic to place to walk, eat and unwind.
https://wrt.org.uk/project/river-tavy/
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Westcountry Rivers Trust Tumbling down from Dartmoor, this series of rocks, pools and waterfalls makes this river a photographer’s delight.
The name “Plym” comes from the old English word for “Plum Tree” .
https://wrt.org.uk/project/river-plym/
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Westcountry Rivers Trust Stretching 60 miles from source to sea and reaching into both Devon and Cornwall, the river Tamar shapes our history, our lives and our identities.
From the patchwork fields, moorland and skylines that surround us, to the food we eat, the businesses we run and the daily experiences we have it flows through everything we do.
It provides 116 million litres of water for us every day, to drink, to wash in, to water our gardens and to clean our cars. Its banks and tributaries are a place for our kids to play, for our dogs to cnufle and for our Sundays to lazily unwind. It plays a part in the food we see on our plates, how our bills add up and even whether we get to work on time.
In short, the Tamar is part of us all – and we are part of it..
https://wrt.org.uk/project/river-tamar/
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