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.
Coffee van: 10-1 Mon - Weds; 10-3 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.
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
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 Monday – Saturday (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.”
“I travel across the bridge 3 or 4 times a week and it was great to learn how it and other bridges are constructed. Guides were very well informed. Great to see the anchorage. Excellent tour.”
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