SaltashEssa · Cornwall

Ancient Borough · Chartered c.1190

The Gateway to Cornwall

The gateway to Cornwall: a small town on a steep hill above the Tamar, where Brunel hung iron across the water and made the county reachable. Every train into Cornwall still passes under his name.

Plan a visitEight centuries
The Royal Albert Bridge and the Tamar Bridge crossing the river at Saltash, with the town rising on the hillside behind.
Cornish name
Essa
Borough since
c. 1190
Brunel Bridge
1859
Tamar Bridge
1961

Saltash is the first and the last word in Cornwall — the town you cross into, and the one you look back at.

On the Tamar

The river has been the county boundary for a thousand years. For most of that time, crossing it meant the Saltash Passage: a ferry, a tide table and a great deal of waiting. Then in 1859 a bridge arrived, and Cornwall stopped being quite so far away.

Start here

What to see

  • Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash — Railway bridge / engineering landmark01

    Royal Albert Bridge

    Railway bridge / engineering landmark

    Brunel's last great work, and the reason most people first look up at Saltash.

  • Saltash Waterside, Saltash — Historic quayside district02

    Saltash Waterside

    Historic quayside district

    Where the town meets the river: gig boats, deep mud at low tide, and the best seat in Cornwall.

  • Trematon Castle, Saltash — Norman castle (motte and bailey)03

    Trematon Castle

    Norman castle (motte and bailey)

    A Norman shell keep above the Lynher, still owned by the Duchy of Cornwall after 700 years.

All 13 landmarks

The town diary

What's on

Guided walks on Churchtown Farm Community Nature Reserve — wildflowers, pollinators, butterflies and bats, out on the reserve above the Tamar.

Full listings
  • 18 JulButterfly WalkMeet opposite the Cecil Arms in St. Stephens Village.
  • 25 JulSaltash Regatta & Waterside FestivalTamar Street and the Waterside
  • 8 AugEvening Bat WalkMeet opposite the Cecil Arms in St. Stephens Village.