VISITORS to Cotehele can enjoy the River Tamar and learn about the history of the area on a leisurely two-hour boat trip from Cotehele Quay later this month.

The Nancy Belle is a 12-seater, open support boat for Cotehele's Tamar sailing barge Shamrock. The trips head up river on the tide, under the railway viaduct in Calstock and through the riverside woodlands towards Morwellham Quay before returning to Cotehele.

Joe Lawrence, lead ranger, said: 'We started running these trips last year and they were a lot of fun and very informative. What's really good is that one hundred percent of the ticket price will be going to the Shamrock for her constant care and conservation.

'There's nothing like being aboard a little boat with lots of nice people, chugging up a river. Along the way we'll tell you about the flora, fauna and history of the Tamar Valley and we'll keep an eye out for herons, otters, kingfishers and the peregrine falcon that sometimes perches on the viaduct.'

There will be 26 boat trips between April 13 and September 22.

For more information call 01579 351346 or go to the website http://www.nationaltrust">www.nationaltrust. org.uk/cotehele