Revellers at the Tamar Valley River Festival in Calstock on Saturday 26 October will be able to jump on board of the Calstock Ferry for short cruises on the Tamar River. This will be a taste of what is to come as the official opening with a regular service will take place in Spring 2025.

The Tamar Valley River Festival is a free family event that will celebrate the River Tamar through art, crafts, music, food and drink. A host of interactive activities and workshops will be on offer, including folk music, gig racing, multi-media exhibitions, singing workshops, nature walks, art activities as well as a River of Hope exhibition and parade by local school children.

Local schools, Calstock Parish Council, Tamar Valley National Landscape, Tamar Grow Local, the National Trust and a number of community groups are involved. More details can be found on the Tamara Scheme’s website www.tamaralandscapepartnership.org.uk/tamar-valley-river-festival

Once up and running, the Calstock Ferry will operate on a trial basis between Ferry Farm on the Devon side of the Tamar and Calstock on the Cornish side. This will enable people to walk the Tamara Coast to Coast Way without needing to take the train from Bere Alston to Calstock. Other leisure trips will also be available to explore the wonderful River Tamar.

William Darwall, Tamara Landscape Partnership Manager said:

“Due to unexpected delays, including permissions and the complexities of operating in a protected area, we have had to move the opening of the ferry to the spring. However, these extra months will give us the time needed to ensure all is in place and all permissions have been granted.

“We’re really looking forward to the River Festival, it’s going to be a great family event with such a variety of things to do and see and that coupled with the chance to hop on board of the electric eco-ferry for the first time, means there really will be something for everyone.”

The trial re-instatement of the Calstock Ferry and the Tamar Valley River Festival are Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme projects, funded primarily by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The scheme aims to create a brighter future for the Tamar Valley and its communities.

The Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme aims to create a brighter future for the Tamar Valley and its communities by working with farmers, landowners and communities to manage and enhance landscapes that are rich in wildlife, as well as cultural and historic heritage; to help improve access to special places and to promote ways for people to enjoy the landscape whilst improving their health and wellbeing. With match-funding commitments from other partners, the total to be invested across the Tamar Valley landscape until 2025 will be £3.2 million.