Bere Alston: Walking and Local History

Bere Alston lies on the Bere Peninsula between the rivers Tamar and Tavy. The peninsula is part of the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the town offers access to walking trails in the heart of the Tamar Valley. If you are planning a stay combining walking and local history, you will find river landscapes, routes with different profiles, and traces of mining, agriculture and railway history. The routes vary in their course and scenery; one also has a specific duration listed.

Walking between the Tamar and Tavy

The Tamar & Tavy Valley Circular Walk runs north of Bere Alston through peaceful countryside between the two valleys. The Bere Alston to Bere Ferrers Discovery Trail Walk passes through pastureland, woodland and quiet lanes; the route also offers views along the Tamar. The Ward Mine & River Tamar Circular Walk first follows the banks of the River Tamar and then returns through quiet lanes and pastureland. Beech woodland shapes the route of the Tuckermarsh Quay & River Tamar Circular Walk along the River Tamar.

One walk with clearly specified details is the Bere Alston Station to Tuckermarsh Quay & River Tamar Circular Walk: the moderate route is 2½ miles (4.2 km) long and is listed as taking 1½ hours. The Tamar Valley Discovery Trail is a 31-mile waymarked long-distance walking trail. Devon’s Western Frontier is a circular walk from Bere Alston that follows part of this trail. The Bere Ferrers Station to Bere Alston Via Lockeridge Farm Walk follows the River Tamar upstream along a section of the Tamara Coast to Coast Way.

The figures put the scale into perspective: a moderate circular walk listed as 2½ miles (4.2 km) and 1½ hours contrasts with a waymarked long-distance trail of 31 miles. This lets you distinguish a route with a specific time estimate from a longer walking option. The scenery also offers different highlights: riverbanks and beech woodland sit alongside pastureland, woodland, quiet lanes and views along the Tamar.

Local history and historic traces

Bere Alston developed around a Saxon farm and a hamlet later called “Frog Street”. Many of the workers’ housing terraces built in the 19th century have survived and shape the character of the town. Holy Trinity Church was built in the mid-19th century. The Independent Chapel on Fore Street was dedicated in 1811 and is now called Bere Alston United Church. It remains in its original location and is almost the same building.

The Ward Mine is part of the area's mining history: it produced silver in the 13th century and, briefly, lead in the 19th century. After the mines closed around 1870, horticulture became an important local employer. This included early spring flowers, strawberries and fruit from orchards. After the railway arrived in 1890, local produce was transported by train to distant markets. The Tamar Valley Line runs from Plymouth to Gunnislake and passes through Bere Alston.

More local highlights

Nearby on the Bere Peninsula is the Tamar Belle Railway Heritage Centre. It offers visitors exhibitions, a signal box and railway operation demonstrations. This offers a way to connect the town's railway history with a visit focused on railway heritage.

The Bere Alston Gardening Club’s annual Plant and Produce Show includes classes for flowers, vegetables, fruit, preserves and handicrafts. If the show is important to your trip, check the dates in advance. For your stay, you can choose between walking trails, local history and local themes related to horticulture and railways.

Discover more destinations: Meshaw, Holne, Rackenford, Shaugh Prior, Littleham, Broadhempston, Woodleigh, Lynton.

For the main travel overview: Devon.