John H Luxton Photography

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New Quay - A Lost Tamar Valley Port

Located around one mile from the well-known Morwellham Quay, New Quay is a small once industrial abandoned hamlet and intensive mining port on the steep, winding banks of the River Tamar in Devon.

New Quay was formerly an important copper, tin and later arsenic port serving the local mines including the George and Charlotte Mine, Bedford Consolidated Mine and Gawton Arsenic Mine.

Since July 2006 New Quay is within the World Heritage Site that is the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape.

The village was abandoned in the early 20th century and became very overgrown with quite large trees. I first visited New Quay shortly before the Mine Tramway was constructed along the river side pathway from Morwellham Quay in the late 1970s.

It was very difficult to make out most of the structures and I did not take any photographs.
During 1984 / 1985 the vegetation was cleared to reveal the quite substantial quay and building remains, I paid a visit again in October 1985 to photograph the site.

As yet I have not returned but reports indicate that in 2008 work was begun to halt New Quay's further decay: many of the buildings being stabilised and repaired and much of the undergrowth was cut back.
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  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    View of Newquay from the road which leads down from the Morwellham - Gulworthy road. The large stone construction being the lime kilns and retaining wall.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    View of Newquay from the road which leads down from the Morwellham - Gulworthy road. The large stone construction being the lime kilns and retaining wall.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    A stone water trough beside the approach road the entrance to the village is was still functional though the village was long abandoned when this photograph was taken.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    A view of the side of the incline plane which linked the quayside tramways to the top of the lime kilns.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The lime kilns - on the left is the track of the inclined plane narrow gauge railway which provided access to the top of the kilns from the quayside.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The lime kilns.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    A view down the steps which provided access to the top of the Lime Kilns

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The top of the lime kilns

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    Inside the lime kilns small stalactites could be seen.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The top of the lime kilns looking up the Tamar Valley towards Morwellham Quay. The roots of one of the many large trees which grew on the site still clings to the masonry.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    View looking down the incline plane which served the top of the lime kilns, winding house on the left.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    Remains of quayside buildings, believed to be North Quay Cottage. The portacabin belongs to George and Charlotte Mine at Morwellham Quay Museum.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    View towards the village access road from under the arch of the incline plane.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The North Quay looking towards Morwellham. Granite ship mooring bollards similar to those to be seen at Morwellham can be seen in the distance. The road continues to George and Charlotte Mine which is part of the Morwellham Quay Museum.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    View across North Quay looking downstream towards Calstock. The incline plane can be clearly seen.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The remains of the New Quay Inn can be seen on the right, with the lime kilns in the back ground. The portable steam engine is believed to be an early 20th Century Robey which had been used in a china clay pit at St Austell. It is believed to be still on site and owned locally as a restoration project.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    This portable steam engine is believed to be an early 20th Century Robey which had been used in a china clay pit at St Austell. It is believed to be still on site and owned locally as a restoration project.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    Remains of the New Quay inn which was quite a substantial structure.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The remains of the stove cast by "J & ? PEARCE" at the New Quay Inn.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The remains of the stove cast by "J & ? PEARCE" at the New Quay Inn.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    The Blacksmith's House

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    My catalogue of images indicates these to be terraced cottages but on reflection these buildings look more like warehouses. The larger opening perhaps giving access to the upper floor by hoist.

  • New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    New Quay - The Lost Tamar Valley Port, Devon - October 16, 1985

    Store and Store Yard note the slab floor

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