A TOWERING railway viaduct and an ancient road bridge feature today as the Voice continues its serialisation of the travel book, Cornwall Favourites For One And All!: A Quick Guide To Good Places To Visit Across The County.

Voice journalist Andrew Townsend, the author of the book, says: “Our tour of Cornwall has gone all round the coast of the county and now we are inland at Calstock and also at Gunnislake on the boundary with Devon formed by the River Tamar.

“We have visited a wide variety of locations taking in towns, such as Looe, Perranporth and Bude, and beautiful scenic spots like the Lizard, Land’s End, the towans near Hayle, and Bedruthan Steps.”

A view of the viaduct from the river at Calstock. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)
A view of the viaduct from the river at Calstock. (Picture: Andrew Townsend) (Picture: Andrew Townsend)

Calstock is a riverside village east of Callington in South East Cornwall. The tidal River Tamar flows under an impressive viaduct which carries the branchline railway between Plymouth and Gunnislake.

A trip on a train through the scenic Tamar Valley is a real treat.

Calstock, which has a railway station, features narrow streets with pretty cottages. You can enjoy a walk beside the Tamar before sitting at picnic benches near the river in the village.

Calstock has a railway station on the Tamar Valley Line. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)
Calstock has a railway station on the Tamar Valley Line. (Picture: Andrew Townsend) (Picture: Andrew Townsend)

Upstream is the village of Gunnislake where the ancient New Bridge connects Cornwall with Devon.

The Tamar Valley Centre, with information about activities in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is at Drakewalls, Gunnislake. The centre also stages art exhibitions, the area being favoured by artists.

From Calstock, the River Tamar goes upstream to Gunnislake. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)
From Calstock, the River Tamar goes upstream to Gunnislake. (Picture: Andrew Townsend) (Picture: Andrew Townsend)

Next time we will still be in the Tamar Valley, around the historic Cotehele estate. The district, a few miles north of Saltash, is an absolute picture in the springtime.

Our lovely tour around the county, taking in well-known spots but also lesser-known locations, offers something for everyone, from brilliant beaches, wild moorland, storm-beaten cliffs and scenic rivers to welcoming towns, pretty villages, mining heritage sites and visitor attractions.

• Andrew Townsend is a journalist and writer. More details of Cornwall Favourites For One And All!: A Quick Guide To Good Places To Visit Across The County, which is also available as an ebook, can be found via this link to Andrew’s author page on Amazon - bit.ly/AndrewTownsendAuthor

Cornwall Favourites For One And All!, a lovely tour around the county, is available as an ebook on Amazon.
Cornwall Favourites For One And All!, a lovely tour around the county, is available as a book and an ebook on Amazon. (Picture: Andrew Townsend)