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Gunnislake

Tony Atkin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gunnislake

Tamar Valley village on the historic mining railway line

Gunnislake is a village on the Cornish side of the Tamar Valley, in the upper valley north of Saltash. The River Tamar here marks the boundary between Cornwall and Devon, and the New Bridge - built in 1520 and one of the oldest surviving bridges in the South West - carries the road across the river from Devon into the village. The village grew during the 19th century copper and tin mining boom; the surrounding hillsides retain engine houses and mineshaft remains from that period.

The Tamar Valley Line railway runs through Gunnislake, connecting the village to Plymouth via Calstock and Bere Alston. This is one of the most scenic rural rail routes in the country, running along the Tamar estuary for much of its length. The line ends at Gunnislake station - the end of the branch. The Tamar Valley National Landscape (formerly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) covers the valley around the village, and there are waymarked walks along the river and through the old mining landscape.

The village has a post office, a pub, and basic shops. Callington, a short drive south-west, provides a wider range of services. The Morwellham Quay heritage site, an open-air museum on the Devon side of the Tamar, is a short drive across the bridge. Holiday accommodation in the area tends to be in converted stone cottages with views across the wooded valley.

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Gunnislake - frequently asked questions

Where can I stay in Gunnislake?
There are 27 places to stay in Gunnislake including cottages, apartments, and holiday homes. Prices start from £352 per week.