Welcome to the Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre
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.
Free guided talks Tues Thurs & Sat
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.
A truly fascinating insight into the revolutionary engineering practices to produce such a vital transport link for the South West.
There are a range of green options for travelling to visit the Centre. Plan your journey here.
Walking
You can walk here from Saltash (15 minutes) or St Budeaux (15 minutes from Victoria Road).
Check out the local Saltash Walks page here
We’re also part of the Tamara Coast to Coast Way! Why not make a visit to the Centre part of stages 1 or 2? You can buy a copy from our online shop. Although parking is limited to 4 hours in our car park there are alternative longer stay locations including free parking at Jubilee Green in Saltash, and other Council car parks. There is on street parking on Pemros Road in St Budeaux, 5 minutes from the Centre.
Cycling
There is a cycle route across the Tamar Bridge from Saltash to the Visitor Centre. Plymouth City Council and Cornwall Council both provide good maps.
Beryl Bikes are available to hire from the pavement outside the Offices.
Bus
The site is accessible by many bus routes, including the City Bus route 12/12A which stops at Pemros Road and goes to Saltash and Plymouth.
Train
The train station in Saltash is a 15-minute walk across the Tamar Bridge to the Bridge Offices.
Car
Head west on the A38 from Plymouth to reach the Tamar Bridge, or east on the A38 from Cornwall! Parking for cars is available on site (41 spaces), including 3 dedicated accessible spaces close to the building. Visitors can park for 4 hours. Parking is free.
There are also 2 EV charging spaces for the public to use.
We recommend spending a couple of hours here to look around the exhibition and join a guided tour.
Zinns coffee van is here Tuesday – Saturday 10.30 – 14.30 (weather dependent), selling cakes and coffees, and there is a picnic area overlooking the river.
If you have longer the Bridge is ideally situated to explore the town of Saltash which has many independent shops and cafes. For example Community Enterprises PL12 has a Community Cafe. All the food a is surplus to the requirements of local shops and businesses – it would otherwise have gone to waste.
You can purchase a book and some postcards from our online shop page.
We have toilets (including accessible toilets), a baby change facility, and a lift. Parking is free of charge. Free WiFi is available.
We run schools workshops and these may be happening during your visit.
We welcome families. We have interactive exhibits, spotters trails, and dressing up materials. Family trails are available free of charge to help families make the most of their visit. We have baby changing facilities on site. The cantilever is flat and level and enables pedestrian access to walk the length of the Tamar Bridge.
We have ‘Explorer backpacks’ available for loan which contain items for children to use during their visit such as binoculars compasses and other fun stuff!
Visit our access page for full details of how we provide access for everyone.
You can join a pre-booked introductory talk on Tuesday Thursday and Saturday mornings. These 20 minute talks are led by our friendly volunteer guides at 11am and 2pm (summer talks run April – September). They are FREE for members of the public and provide an introduction to the bridges and their history and heritage. They take place in our grounds and visitors are then welcome to explore the Visitor Centre or walk onto the bridges at their leisure.
Booking essential via our events page
“A very interesting tour, enthusiastically and informatively given. Wonderful views. A great way to spend an hour, then walk into Saltash for lunch.”
Groups looking for a guided tour can book a bespoke visit which will include a guided tour onto the bridge. Visit our group page for more information.
“I can imagine how this visit will inspire engineers of the future.”
“Very informative displays and films. Easy access for disabled.”
Take a walk along the Tamar Bridge – the best way to admire Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge
Build your own Royal Albert and Tamar Bridges.
Book onto a tour of the anchorage chamber
Find out why Brunel’s bridge was good news for London flower sellers more than 200 miles away.
Borrow an explorer backpack for the day –
Enjoy a picnic overlooking the beautiful view of the river Tamar.
Enjoy a guided talk about the bridges with our friendly guides.
Listen to the stories of people involved in the bridges, including someone who fell off the Tamar Bridge when he worked on it!
Hear about the numerous ideas for bridges and tunnels to cross the Tamar that were never built, such as the Weston Mill Tunnel, Torpoint Tunnel and a southern bridge.
Visit Saltash with its independent shops and cafes.
If you have have an enquiry about visiting or a suggestion for how we can improve your visit please let us know at visit@tamarcrossings.org.uk