Free intro talks 11am Tues, Thurs & Sat
Your Visit
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.
We are open daily 10am-4pm. Entry is free.
Getting here
Green travel
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.
Public transport
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.
Families
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!
Facilities
How long?
We recommend spending a couple of hours here to look around the exhibition and join a guided tour.
Refreshments
There is a beautiful picnic area overlooking the river. There is no dedicated cafe but 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.
Souvenirs
You can purchase a book and some postcards from our online shop page.
Access
We have toilets (including accessible toilets), a baby change facility, and a lift.
How busy is it?
We run schools workshops and these may be happening during your visit.
Dogs
Only guide and assistance dogs are welcome inside the Visitor Centre.
“I can imagine how this visit will inspire engineers of the future.”
“Very informative displays and films. Easy access for disabled.”
A truly fascinating insight into the revolutionary engineering practices to produce such a vital transport link for the South West.
Guided introductory talks
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. (From April to September they also run at 2pm on a Tuesday and Thursday).
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.
“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.
Top 10 things to learn and do
Finding us
Pemros Road, St Budeaux, Plymouth, PL5 1LP
Accessibility Information
Bridging the Tamar is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- 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.
- The train station in Saltash is a 15-minute walk across the Tamar Bridge to the Bridge Offices.
- Parking for cars is available on site (41 spaces), including 3 dedicated accessible spaces close to the building.
- There are also 2 EV charging spaces for the public to use.
- The Centre is accessed by three flights of stairs with 8 steps, 6 steps and 6 steps from the bottom or there is an accessible lift which brings you up to the lobby.
- There is an accessible toilet in the Learning Centre.
- A baby changing facility is available.
- There is currently no adult changing facility.
- Guide, assistant and companion animals – including assistant dogs in training – are welcome.
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