Old Ferry Road, Saltash

Set in a remarkable position on the banks of the River Tamar, Tamar Bank is an exceptional waterside residence offering direct access to the shoreline below, outstanding river views and a rare connection with one of Cornwall’s most historic waterfront settings.

Believed to date back to the mid-19th century, the property occupies a commanding position along Old Ferry Road and enjoys approximately 20 metres of water frontage. It is a home of genuine character, scale and atmosphere, with its outlook, history and setting combining to create a lifestyle that is increasingly difficult to find.

From the changing tides and passing boats to the far-reaching views across the Tamar, River Tavy and towards the Tamar Bridge and Royal Albert Bridge, Tamar Bank is a property where the waterside position is not simply a backdrop, but a defining part of everyday life.

The House

The accommodation is generous, elegant and highly versatile, arranged to suit family life, entertaining, home working and multi-generational living. A grand entrance hall creates an immediate sense of arrival and leads through to a series of well-proportioned reception spaces.

The main sitting room provides a comfortable and welcoming space, complete with a wood burner, while the formal dining room is ideal for family gatherings and more formal entertaining. One of the standout rooms is the triple-aspect sunroom, which takes full advantage of the position and frames wonderful views across the water towards the River Tavy, the Tamar Bridge and Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge.

The kitchen is a tremendous space, well appointed and designed as a practical yet sociable heart of the home, with a fitted utility room positioned nearby. Also on the ground floor is a further bedroom or study, offering excellent flexibility for those working from home, accommodating guests or seeking a more adaptable layout. A shower room completes the ground floor accommodation, with internal access also leading through to the double garage.

On the first floor, four well-proportioned double bedrooms continue the sense of space. The principal bedroom suite is particularly generous, featuring a dressing area and en-suite bathroom, while the remaining bedrooms are served by a well-appointed family bathroom. Throughout the home, the river views provide a constant reminder of the property’s exceptional setting.

The lower ground floor offers three versatile basement rooms, providing useful additional space and scope for a variety of future uses, subject to any necessary consents. This area could appeal to buyers seeking storage, hobby space, a workshop, home office potential or further lifestyle accommodation.

History

Tamar Bank is a home with a fascinating history, believed by the current owners to date from around 1841. Its position on Old Ferry Road places it within one of Saltash’s most atmospheric riverside settings, overlooking a landscape shaped by river travel, maritime activity and the historic crossing between Cornwall and Devon.

One of the early owners is understood to have been Captain Charles Bampfield Yule, a notable Royal Navy officer and surveyor associated with Admiralty expeditions around Australia, New Guinea and the wider Pacific. His work is understood to be linked with Heron Island in Queensland, while Yule Island in Papua New Guinea is also believed to have been named after him.

The property is also understood to have connections with the du Maurier family, adding a further literary association to a house already rich in character. The current owners also understand that Tamar Bank was used during both the First and Second World Wars, including wartime military occupation and associations with senior military figures.

Together, these connections give Tamar Bank a rare sense of provenance, combining maritime history, literary interest, wartime association and a truly memorable waterside setting.

Outside & Gardens

Outside, the gardens extend to approximately 0.22 acres and lead down towards the water’s edge, where a private gateway provides direct access to the shoreline below. This direct connection to the river is one of the property’s most special features and offers a rare waterside lifestyle in the heart of Saltash.

The gardens have been arranged to make the most of the outlook, with a mixture of raised terraces, lawned areas and decked seating spaces. These areas provide excellent opportunities for outdoor dining, relaxing and entertaining, all while enjoying the movement, light and atmosphere of the river.

Whether launching a kayak from the shore, enjoying evening drinks overlooking the water, watching the tides change or simply taking in the beauty of the Tamar, Tamar Bank offers a lifestyle that feels both peaceful and wonderfully connected to its surroundings.

Location

Old Ferry Road is one of Saltash’s most atmospheric riverside settings, following the water past Brunel Green and a collection of character cottages. The area has a strong maritime heritage and remains closely connected to the river, with nearby slipways, boat storage and waterside walks all adding to the appeal.

Despite its beautiful waterside position, Tamar Bank remains highly convenient for day-to-day amenities. Saltash offers a good range of local shops, a Waitrose supermarket, schools, cafés and services, while the nearby China Fleet Country Club provides golf and leisure facilities.

For sailing and watersports enthusiasts, Saltash has a busy sailing club, visitor pontoon, public slipways and access to nearby mooring opportunities. Plymouth city centre, the A38 and Saltash railway station are also within easy reach, making this a rare waterside home that combines beauty, history, practicality and convenience in equal measure.

Agent’s Comment

Tamar Bank is a truly memorable waterside home. The moment you arrive, there is a real sense that this is a property with a story, from its position on Old Ferry Road and its outlook across the Tamar, to its direct access down to the shoreline below.

For me, the magic of the house is the way it combines practicality with atmosphere. It is a generous and versatile family home, but it also has that rare emotional pull that only certain waterside properties seem to have. The views, the garden, the changing tides and the sense of history all add to the feeling that this is somewhere very special.

Homes with this level of character, water frontage and historic interest are rarely available, and Tamar Bank is a property that I think buyers will remember long after viewing.