Saltash facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Saltash
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 Tamar Bridge and Royal Albert Bridge |
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| Population | 16,184 (2011) |
| OS grid reference | SX4257 |
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| Unitary authority | |
| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SALTASH |
| Postcode district | PL12 |
| Dialling code | 01752 |
| Police | Devon and Cornwall |
| Fire | Cornwall |
| Ambulance | South Western |
| EU Parliament | South West England |
| UK Parliament |
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Saltash (called Essa in Cornish) is a town and civil parish in south Cornwall, England. In 2011, about 16,184 people lived there. Saltash is located across the River Tamar from the city of Plymouth. It is often called "the Gateway to Cornwall" because of its location.
Important landmarks in Saltash include the Tamar Bridge, which connects Cornwall to Plymouth by road. The Royal Albert Bridge is another famous bridge for trains. The area of Latchbrook is also part of the town.
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What is Saltash Like?
Saltash is home to two amazing bridges. The Royal Albert Bridge was designed by the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It opened in 1859 and carries the railway line over the River Tamar.
Right next to it is the Tamar Bridge. This is a toll bridge for cars and trucks on the A38 road. In 2001, it became the first suspension bridge to be made wider while still being open to traffic.
Getting Around Saltash
The Saltash railway station is very close to the town centre. You can catch regular trains from here. Some trains even go directly to London Paddington station.
Bus services are also available from Saltash. Companies like Stagecoach South West and Plymouth Citybus run routes. You can travel to Plymouth city centre, Launceston, Liskeard, Looe, and Polperro by bus.
Interesting Places to Visit
You can find the cottage of Mary Newman in Saltash. She was the first wife of the famous explorer Sir Francis Drake. Her cottage is on Culver Road, downhill from the railway station.
Nearby, you can explore old castles like Trematon Castle and Ince Castle. There is also a beautiful nature reserve called Churchtown Farm. It offers wonderful walks and stunning views of the river.
Saltash has grown quite a bit. New housing areas like Latchbrook and Pillmere were built. In 2009, the Saltash area was even named the most desirable place to live in Great Britain. This was based on things like school results and crime rates.
A Look Back at Saltash History
The history of Saltash is closely tied to the "passage," which was a ferry crossing over the River Tamar. Fishermen first set up this ferry. It helped people travel to and from the monastery at St Germans and Trematon Castle.
The Saltash Ferry and Early Town Life
After the Norman Conquest, a powerful lord named Robert, Count of Mortain, took the market from St. Germans. He moved it to Saltash. The Count then gave Trematon and other lands to the de Valletorts family. They were in charge of providing the ferry boat.
In 1190, Saltash became a borough. This meant it was the only official seaport between Dartmouth and Fowey. People in Saltash used to say, Saltash was a borough town, when Plymouth was a fuzzy down. This means Saltash was an important town long before Plymouth even existed.
Antony Passage Ferry
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The Antony Passage Ferry is another old ferry route. It was first mentioned in documents as early as 1324. This ferry was located within the St Stephens area of Saltash.
Different families owned the ferry over the centuries. The Crosley family ran it for many years until the early 1950s. The ferry connected Jupiter Point, Antony Passage, and Passage Point.
Even though it's not used anymore, the Antony Passage Ferry still officially exists. This is because a special law would be needed to stop it completely. It even still appears on maps today!
How Saltash Got Its Name
The old document that made Saltash a borough calls the place 'Essa'. This is Latin for 'Ash'. However, the town's name has changed over time. For example, long ago, it was called 'Aysche'.
In a document from 1584, it says that Essa is now commonly called Saltash. A family named Essa lived near Ashtor Rock in the 1100s. The 'Salt' part was added to the name. This helped people tell it apart from other places called Ash.
Important Moments in Early History
In 1270, the land was sold to Richard, Earl of Cornwall. Later, Edward, the Black Prince, became the first Duke of Cornwall. He even visited Trematon Castle.
In 1549, there was a rebellion in Cornwall. People were upset about new religious changes. Rebels took over Trematon Castle and captured Sir Richard Grenville.
The town of Saltash has its own special symbols. Its coat of arms shows a lion and feathers. These symbols are also found on old seals of Saltash.
Churches in Saltash
Until 1881, the main church for Saltash was St Stephen's by Saltash. It is about a mile from the town. The church building is mostly from the 1400s. It has a very old Norman font.
This church was likely built by the lords of Trematon Castle a long time ago. In 1351, King Edward III gave it to the Deanery of Windsor. This made it a vicarage. In medieval times, there were also smaller chapels in Saltash.
The chapel in Saltash was dedicated to Saint Nicholas and Saint Faith. In 1881, this chapel became the main parish church for the town. It has an old tower and parts of the original Norman church.
Learning in Saltash
Saltash has several primary schools for younger students. These include Burraton CP School, Bishop Cornish (V.A) Primary School, Brunel School, and St Stephens School.
The main secondary school in Saltash is Saltash Community School. In 2004, it became a specialist college for Science, Mathematics, and Computing. The school has worked with Microsoft. While it has faced some challenges recently, it is working to improve.
Cornwall College also has a campus in Saltash. This offers further education for older students.
Media and News
Local TV news for Saltash comes from BBC South West and ITV West Country. You can get TV signals from the Caradon Hill transmitting station.
For radio, you can listen to BBC Radio Cornwall and BBC Radio Devon. Other stations include Heart West and Greatest Hits Radio South West. Liskeard Radio is a local community station that broadcasts online. The local newspaper for Saltash is the Cornish Times.
Fun Festivals in Saltash
Saltash hosts several exciting festivals each year. The Saltash Mayfair happens in early May. It takes place around Fore Street with lots of activities.
The Saltash Town Regatta is a summer event. It brings music and fun to the Waterside area. On the water, there are exciting Gig races with top teams. You can also see Flashboat rowing and dinghy racing. There's even a fun 'England and back' race between local groups.
A new challenge was added in 2008. It's a five towns challenge where Saltash competes against Liskeard, Callington, Looe, and Torpoint. On land, you'll find many stalls, music, and tents.
Famous People from Saltash
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Saltash has been home to several notable people:
- Sir Evan Nepean (born 1752) was an important government official.
- George Carter Bignell (died 1910) was a famous expert on insects. His large collection of insect specimens is at the Plymouth Museum.
- Dame Moura Lympany (born 1916) was a talented pianist.
- Ann Glanville (born 1796) was a champion gig rower. She lived in Saltash her whole life.
- Colin Sullivan (footballer) (born 1951) was a football player for Plymouth Argyle. Many consider him the best left-back to ever play for the club.
Sports and Fun Activities
Saltash has many options for sports and leisure. Saltash United F.C. is the town's football team. They play in the Western Football League. Saltash is also home to the Caradon Pilot Gig Rowing Club.
Livewire Youth Project is a music-themed youth club. It is located by the River Tamar. The club has a recording studio, band practice rooms, and a music venue. Famous bands like The Damned and The Hoosiers have played there.
A cycling club is located at the Tamar view industrial estate. They have regular rides for all skill levels.
Saltash Leisure Centre offers a swimming pool, gym, and fitness facilities. Nearby, the China Fleet Country Club has an 18-hole golf course and a swimming pool.
The Saltash Sailing Club is great for all ages. Over 100 young people sail on Friday nights. There are dinghy races on Tuesdays and yacht races on Thursdays.
Saltmill Park has a BMX and skatepark. It also features public art. Saltmill also has an all-weather sports pitch for local groups.
The Saltash Tennis Centre is behind the Leisure Centre. It has two grass courts and two hard courts. The club has several teams that play in local leagues.
Cornish Wrestling History
Saltash has a long history of hosting Cornish wrestling tournaments. Famous wrestlers like Parkyn and Gundry competed here. The Recreational Field was one place where these tournaments were held.
Places to Visit Nearby
Here are some attractions you can visit near Saltash:
- Cotehele House (a historic house managed by the National Trust)
- St. Mellion International Resort (a golf and leisure resort)
- Royal Albert Bridge (the famous railway bridge)
- Tamar Bridge (the road bridge)
- Churchtown Farm Nature Reserve (great for walks and nature)
See also
In Spanish: Saltash para niños
