Explore
Other things to do
The area has much to offer visitors over and above the fishing. Below are some ideas.
For more details of local events, other activities and things to do in the area, please go to www.visitcornwall.com and www.visitdevon.com the local tourist boards' sites.
Shooting
Devon is famous for high driven pheasants, with a number of excellent shoots within the Tamar area. Smaller days for snipe and woodcock are also available. Clay pigeon shooting is available during the summer at Lower Lake shooting ground, about 20 minutes from Lifton.
Walking
The South West coast path runs round the entire coastline of Devon and Cornwall, offering superb views of our shores. Dartmoor National Park forms the eastern boundary of the Tamar catchment, providing public access to 365 square miles of granite moorland. Many other footpaths criss-cross the area, including the Two Castles trail between Launceston and Okehampton.
Golf
A good number of excellent golf courses are found in the Tamar area, including the famous St. Mellion, which has one course designed by Jack Nicklaus.
Horse riding
Riding is available at St. Leonard's Equestrian Centre right beside the Tamar near Launceston, and at other stables on the edge of Dartmoor.
Places of interest
The Eden Project is just 40 minutes down the A30 from Launceston. Several National Trust properties are within easy reach of the Tamar area, many of which have spectacular gardens. Lydford Gorge is open all summer offering a woodland walk beside the upper river Lyd, with waterfalls and cascades, swathes of wild flowers, and wild brownies visible in the clear water.
Spring on the Thrushel
Beaches
Many lovely beaches are easily reached from the Tamar area. The north Cornish coast offers some of Britain's finest surfing around Bude.
Birdwatching
The 720 acres of Roadford Lake, which was formed by damming the river Wolf, harbours large numbers of wintering wildfowl and has bird hides at strategic locations. Peregrine falcons nest at several places within the Tamar valley, and on the river, kingfishers, dippers and grey wagtails are resident. Summer visitors can include redstarts, hoopoes and pied flycatchers.