An exhibition created by children from Calstock Primary School and young people from Tavistock Youth Café will tour the National Trust’s Cotehele and Buckland Abbey this spring. Developed over two years, North Side, South Side: Tamara Riverscape Stories – A Creative Exploration of the River Tamar celebrates the rich natural and cultural heritage of the valley on both sides of the river.
The exhibition will be showcased at Cotehele from Tuesday, 25 March to Sunday, 30 March and at Buckland Abbey from Tuesday, 1 April to Sunday, 6 April. It forms part of the Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, in collaboration with Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, the National Trust, Tamar Grow Local, and additional support from the University of Plymouth and Sails and Canvas.
During the project, participants worked alongside artists, researchers, and practitioners to create an immersive storytelling experience. Using innovative techniques—crafting glass-box narratives, painting and performing with cardboard boxes, and developing a film structured like a river’s flow—they explored themes of movement, heritage, and sustainability.
Workshops along the river provided hands-on learning experiences, with young people travelling by train and on foot to engage with the landscape’s history. They explored medieval voyages through visits to Buckland Abbey, Tavistock Guildhall Heritage Centre, and The Box in Plymouth, delving into the maritime journeys of Sir Francis Drake. They also discovered the region’s rich market-garden and mining heritage through trips to Cotehele’s orchards and Bere Ferrers, learning about the role of apples, boxed goods, and industry in shaping the Tamar Valley.
The railway’s development was another key focus, with participants working alongside industry experts and traveling on the Gunnislake line, where they shared apples in hand-painted boxes with passengers at Plymouth Station—a nod to the valley’s historic trade networks.
At its heart, Tamara Riverscape Stories connects youth perspectives with the legacy of the river—its apples, voyages, and ever-evolving role in shaping the region. By blending history with creativity, the project reimagines a more sustainable future.
Gary Lewis, Senior Heritage Officer for the Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme, said: “The children and young people found this interactive way of engaging with history and heritage incredibly fulfilling. The co-creative workshops and events leading up to these exhibitions have expanded their understanding of the place they call home, and their enthusiasm has been inspiring.”
Dominica Williamson, Project Manager and Lead Artist added: “This project created a space for young people and children to have their voices and talents nurtured, recognised, and celebrated. Their creative interpretations of the landscape have not only brought the past to life but have also encouraged us all—adults included—to reflect on the present and consider the future we are shaping.”
