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.
Visitor Centre open daily 10-4. Guided tours Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays, book in advance
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.
The Centre is open daily 10am – 4pm and is free to enter.
You can join a special pre-booked guided tour daily on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays. These are led by our friendly volunteers and offer an insight into the bridges.
Tues 11 am-12 noon and 2-3pm
Thurs 11 am-12 noon and 2-3pm
Sat 11 am-12 noon
Booking essential via our events page
Although there are no government restrictions regarding COVID19 anymore we continue to support people if they would like to wear masks and socially distance. Our tours are outdoors unless it is poor weather and are limited to 10 people. Hand sanitiser is provided in the Visitor Centre.
We recommend spending a couple of hours here to look around the exhibition and join a guided tour. If you have longer the Bridge is ideally situated to explore the town of Saltash which has many independent shops and cafes.
Although there is currently no dedicated shop or café at the Learning Centre we are working on a guidebook and postcards for visitors to purchase in the future.
We have a lovely picnic area overlooking the river.
We have toilets (including accessible toilets), a baby change facility, and a lift. Parking is free of charge.
We run schools workshops. These may be happening during your visit.
We welcome families. We have interactive exhibits, spotters trails, and dressing up materials. 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.
“I can imagine how this visit will inspire engineers of the future.”
Learn about life before the Royal Albert Bridge when the River Tamar effectively split the West country in two.
Build your own Royal Albert and Tamar Bridges.
Understand why working conditions were horrific within the cylinders of the Royal Albert Bridge.
Find out why Brunel’s bridge was good news for London flower sellers more than 200 miles away.
Enjoy a picnic overlooking the beautiful view of the river Tamar.
Enjoy a guided tour of 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!
Find out about different kinds of bridges – beam bridges, truss bridges, arch bridges and suspension bridges.
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.