Groups at Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre

About us

The Bridging the Tamar Visitor and Learning Centre celebrates the heritage of both the 20th century Tamar Bridge and Brunel’s iconic 19th century Royal Albert Bridge. Groups (including college students, university students, professional organisations, adult learners including U3A, social, community and history clubs e.g. WI) can also book bespoke tours and talks which can be tailored to their area of interest, whether that’s bridges, engineering, social history, local history of Saltash, St Budeaux or Plymouth, Brunel, or the river Tamar. These can be booked by e-mailing visit@tamarcrossings.org.uk, and tours start at £5 per head which includes a guided tour over the Tamar Bridge.

There is a free interactive exhibition space at the Tamar Bridge exploring the history of both bridges. Visitors also have the opportunity to find out more about how operators manage and monitor the road bridge, the Saltash Tunnel and the tolling system in order to keep traffic moving smoothly and provide safe, reliable and efficient crossings of the river. There is a growing archive of photographs and memorabilia connected to both bridges, including oral histories.

Groups can also book an Anchorage Tour to find out more about what goes on behind the scenes at the Tamar Bridge. You'll go inside the anchorage and see an area normally closed to the public. The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tour costs £10pp, with a maximum of 6 people per tour.

Visitors can spend a couple of hours at the Centre to look around the exhibition and join a guided tour. If you have longer the Bridge is ideally situated to explore the town of Saltash which has many independent shops and cafes. Although there is currently no dedicated shop or café at the Learning Centre there is a lovely picnic area overlooking the river. The train station in Saltash is a 15-minute walk across the Tamar Bridge to the Bridge Offices.

“To have these two iconic structures on our doorstep, I was amazed at what I didn’t know! A brilliant visit, and so close to home. Thank you so much."

Head to Group visits - Bridging the Tamar for more information.