Morwellham Quay

About this route

Much of the Tamar Valley in West Devon was once home to a thriving mining industry. This industry needed a transport system, and a number of small quays were built along the River Tamar to ship out the mined material. One such example is the restored Morwellham Quay, now an open-air museum and visitor centre.

Copper ore taken from the nearby George and Charlotte mine, first worked in the 1700s, was shipped from here. This small mine has many features characteristic of the other mines found throughout the Tamar Valley, but here you can actually journey underground and experience something of the working conditions of the miners during the 19th century.

Morwellham Quay is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site.

Getting Around

By bus: a regular service runs between Tavistock and Lumburn, with a 30 minute walk to the quay. A Summer Sunday bus service runs.

 

By Car: from Tavistock take the A386, then the A390, then the B3257 before turning right to Morwellham Quay.

Facilities
Wildlife reserve, woodland trail, shop, playground, museum, refreshments, toilets, car park and restaurant.
Terrain
Accessibility

Interesting information

This site is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and part of a World Heritage Site (WHS)

Aerial photo of Morwellham Quay
Morwellham Quay Copyright B Gamble, Cornwall County Council

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