Saltash

Situated on the west bank of the beautiful River Tamar, and once the base for the largest river steamer fleet in the southwest, Saltash has gone through a number of names in its 1,000-year history. It’s been called Villa de Esse, Ash, and Assheburgh over the years. With narrow streets that rise up steeply from the riverbank, the town has long been the ‘Gateway to Cornwall’ for many holidaymakers, who cross the River Tamar into Cornwall at this point via one of the town’s mighty bridges. The wrought-iron Royal Albert Bridge carries the railway while, alongside, is the much more slender Tamar Bridge, completed in 1961. This modern suspension road bridge replaced the ferry service which had been in use since the 13th century. A tunnel was also constructed to ease the ever-increasing flow of cars through the town.

Though older than Plymouth, on the other side of the Sound, Saltash, particularly with the construction of the road bridge, is now becoming almost a suburb of the city.  However, though heavily influenced by its neighbour, Saltash has retained much of its charm and Cornish individuality, and Saltash people still talk of  ‘going over into England’ when crossing one of the bridges.

The town’s strategic position and maritime interests led to its involvement in many important events. The Waterside is considered the historical ‘heart’ of Saltash; this is where the main trade and commerce originated. Modern visitors should look out for the painted mural on the side of the Union Inn, depicting local characters and events. During the Civil War, 1642-46, fighting took place here on several occasions, resulting in numerous fatalities (mostly on the Parliamentarian side) and the destruction of many buildings. The engineer-genius Isambard Kingdom Brunel chose Saltash as the site for a bridge, of unique design, to carry the railway in to Cornwall. The Royal Albert Bridge, Brunel’s masterpiece completed in 1859, is undoubtedly the town’s most famous feature. On the old quayside there are several interesting buildings to discover.  The mainly 17th century Guildhouse stands on granite pillars and close by is Mary Newman’s Cottage, a quaint old building that was the home of Sir Francis Drake’s first wife.  Dating from the 15th century, the cottage and gardens are occasionally open to the public April to October.

Soon after the Conquest in 1066, the Normans built a motte-and-bailey castle in a commanding position 1.5 miles southeast of Trematon village. Trematon Castle (not open to the public) has walls that are over 15 feet thick, and so secure was it that the treasures collected by Sir Francis Drake after his trips abroad were stored here.