Once the most southerly bridge over the Tamar
Web: www.gunnislake.org
Gunnislake is the first village in Cornwall. Sprawled over the picturesque steep sides of the Tamar Valley, the village is a hot spot for tourists and fans of local mining and industrial heritage. The population of the village was 2,349 at the 2011 census.
The seven-arched road bridge which carries the A390 across the Tamar, built 1520, was main route into Cornwall until the the modern suspension road bridge was built at Saltash in 1962.
The area is now mainly residential with a small handful of businesses ranging from pubs to garages and small shops. Gunnislake is located in the Tamar Valley designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, though some recent industrial development has been attempted and achieved. Within early 2006 Hingston Down Quarry installed a new Asphalt production tower which is easily noticeable as it is proud of the skyline of Gunnislake.
Most of the development of the village was primarily due to the dramatic increase in mining and industrial activity in the 19th century. Gunnislake is widely known as being part of the Tamar Valley, the richest copper mining area in Europe which provided around 7000 jobs at its peak in 1862. Most mining activity ceased in the late 19th century which has left a haven for anyone interested in archaeology or industrial heritage.
As well as mining, other industry such as brickworks and quarries were present. Nearby, locations such as Kit Hill, Cotehele and Calstock were mined and quarried with heavy use of the Tamar River for transportation of the raw material obtained from the works.
St. Anne's parish church sits atop a craggy steep valley and has a most commanding view of the beautiful and stately Tamar River below. It was first built in 1206.
Since 2001, the village has annually hosted its own festival, encompassing a variety of events throughout a week-long celebration.
Gunnislake still has a railway station which is the northern terminus of the Tamar Valley Line served by a branch line from Plymouth, which until 1966 ran as far as Callington and Kelly Bray.
Michael Trebilcock, (1944-) Footballer born in Gunnislake.
Gunnislake Festival - Early July
Callington Calstock Kit Hill River Tamar The Tamar Valley Donkey Park
The Tamar Valley Tamara Way