Calstock

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The village seen from a train on the viaduct

Calstock is a village and parish in south east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, on the border with Devon. The village is situated on the River Tamar six miles south west of Tavistock and ten miles north of Plymouth. The parish has a population of 6,095^[1]. The village is part of the Tamar Valley AONB, lies on the scenic Tamar Valley railway, and is overlooked by Cotehele house and gardens. The parish consists of 5,760 acres (23 km²) of land, 70 acres of water, and 44 acres of the tidal Tamar^[2].

The hamlets of Albaston, Chilsworthy, Gunnislake, Harrowbarrow, Latchley and Metherell are also part of the parish.

1 History
2 See also
3 External links
4 References

[edit] History

There is evidence of human settlement in Calstock from Roman, or pre-Roman times, settlers attracted by the rich source of minerals, such as tin, in the area. In Saxon times Calstock was in the kingdom of Dumnonia, which resisted the spread of Wessex from the east. In 838 CE Wessex had spread as far as the Tamar, and the last battle for independence was fought near Calstock. Following the Norman Conquest Calstock manor was recorded in the Domesday Book. The Saxon manor was taken over, and in the 14th century became part of the Duchy of Cornwall.

Calstock Viaduct

Mining was certainly important in Calstock from Mediaeval times, with the Duchy mining silver. The industry was booming in the late 19th century with the discovery of copper, and coupled with nearby granite quarrying, made Calstock a busy port. The rapid population growth due to the growth of industry led, in 1849, to an outbreak of cholera. However, the industry declined in the early 20th century due to foreign competition, and now only the ruined pump houses that dot the landscape remain.

The Tamar up to Calstock is navigable to small boats, and Calstock Quay was once important for transporting goods, and then in the Victorian Era when steamers brought tourists to the village was visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1846. The importance of the river as a transport route declined with the construction of the 14 mile Tamar Valley railway at the start of the 20th century. The village is still dominated by the railway's viaduct.