Historic environment

"The Tamar estuaries are nationally recognised as one of the richest maritime historic environments in the United Kingdom"

Human activity in the estuaries has a far greater time span than events usually referred to in popular history such as the exploits of Sir Francis Drake, the Pilgrim fathers and Nelson.

Indeed, throughout the estuaries there is evidence of human habitation from prehistory through to the modern period.

The diversity and quality of the resource is exceptional in its value due to the representation of many periods of human settlement and the wealth of evidence from trade, industrial, naval and military activity.

Five particular classes of archaeological sites are worthy of special attention including submerged historic landscapes, Plymouth's historic waterfront, water related structures and infrastructure, historic industrial sites and coastal defence sites.

Special features

• Submerged early landscapes dating back to 4000-2000BC
• Archaeological evidence dating approximately from 1250AD reveals the great importance of Plymouth's connections with other ports in Britain, Europe and further overseas
• The Cattewater wreck at the entrance to the Cattewater was the first to be designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act 1973
• Many historic water side and industrial related sites, including fish cellars, quays, mines, processing plants, garrisons and the Royal William Victualling Yard