Cotehele Quay

Early morning on Cotehele Quay

The historic Cotehele Quay on the River Tamar is home to the Discovery Centre, the Victorian Tamar sailing barge 'Shamrock' and the Edgcumbe tea-room.

Discover Shamrock

Shamrock is the only fully-restored ketch-rigged Tamar sailing barge in the world.She was built in Plymouth in 1899 to carry cargo on the river. She now spends her retirement on Cotehele Quay. You can read about her history and see loads of photos on her blog here.

Shamrock Tamar sailing barge in her mooring at Cotehele Quay
Cotehele   Cornwall

Conserving 'Shamrock'

'Shamrock' is a lovely old boat built in 1899 in Plymouth and now retired on Cotehele Quay. She has the distinction of being the last of her kind in the world but she needs a lot of conservation to keep her sound. Find out what's happening to make her ship-shape again.

Find out more about 'Shamrock'

Discovery Centre

The Discovery Centre is a small museum where you'll be able to soak up the history of Cotehele Quay, Find out if you’re a land lubber or an old sea dog, understand limekilns, ketch and smack-rigged barges and the importance of copper, tin and arsenic in the Tamar Valley. It's also where you'll find the first pixie door on the pixie door trail that leads to the mill.

Nancy Belle boat trips

Climb aboard Shamrock's support boat, Nancy Belle, to cruise up the river, under the Calstock Viaduct and beyond. You'll learn about the history, flora and fauna of the Tamar Valley on this two-hour trip. Trips have now finished for the season. We'll start running these again in April. Find dates and details here.

The Nancy Belle on the river Tamar near Cotehele
Passengers aboard Nancy Belle open-top boat near the Calstock viaduct at Cotehele, Cornwall
The Nancy Belle on the river Tamar near Cotehele

Fancy a bite to eat?

Visit the licensed Edgcumbe tea-room on the quay for a light lunch or Cornish cream tea. After a brisk walk, pop in to warm up by the fire with a hot drink. Your dog is welcome too.