Welcome to Bridging the Tamar
Come and explore!
Visit us to find out all about the Tamar Estuary’s iconic bridges, the 20th century Tamar Bridge and Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s 19th century Royal Albert Bridge.
Open daily 10-4
Free entry
Coffee van: Mon & Tues CLOSED; Weds 10-3; Thurs & Fri 10-4; Sat 10-2
About
OUR STORY
Established to celebrate the engineering legacy of the Tamar Estuary’s historic bridges, the Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre opened in 2019.
The Visitor and Learning Centre interprets the heritage of both the 20th century Tamar Bridge and Brunel’s iconic 19th century Royal Albert Bridge.
A grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) made the project possible, with the remainder being funded by the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee.
The interactive exhibition space and a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) learning and events programme brings the bridges to life.
Visitors also have the opportunity to find out more about how operators manage and monitor the road bridge, the Saltash Tunnel and the tolling system in order to keep traffic moving smoothly and provide safe, reliable and efficient crossings of the river.
SOCIAL IMPACT
An accredited social value evaluation tool commonly used by local authorities found that for every £1 invested by Tamar Crossings in the Visitor Centre in 2022/23, the Visitor Centre provided a social return of over £3 through engagement with local community groups and school children.
The Centre delivers the following outcomes:
• Reduced social isolation for community members
• Young people supported to do well in education
• Improved and supported visitor economy (tourism)
• Increased volunteering and community participation
• Increased participation in recreation
• Learning and training for people to enter and progress in work
• Improved community health
• Improved access to community facilities and services
• Increased participation in recreation
The tool uses the internationally recognised Sustainable Development Goals developed by the United Nations.
The outcomes are linked to:
3. Good Health and Well-Being
4. Quality Education
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
