HUNDREDS of people visited the new Tamar Trails Centre at Gulworthy during the two-week-long Spring Trail Festival, and the centre is poised for a busy May Bank Holiday.

Local people and visitors alike enjoyed a host of free taster activity sessions, including bushcraft for kids, bug hunting, high ropes course, zip wires, mountain bike hire and archery.

People were also able to enjoy the new café facilities and explore the wider walking, cycling and horse-riding trails network at their leisure.

With two bank holiday weekends this month, the Tamar Trails Centre is the perfect place to get out and about.

West Devon mayor Cllr Robin Musgrave said: 'My family and I were thrilled to be part of opening the new Trails Centre last month and had a great time trying the various activities.

'It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves. We are very lucky to have such facilities on our doorstep.'

Visitors to the area should note that access along the former railway line between Bere Alston and Tavistock is limited and much of the route remains in private ownership with no public access.

Kate Blake from Treesurfers, the outdoor activity specialists, which is now running the Trails Centre, said: 'We were bowled over at the turnout for our opening event with so many families enjoying the trails, the woodland activities and our new Beech café. We now hope that people will return to explore further.'

A new parking meter has now been installed at the Maddacleave car park next to the Gawton Gravity Hub Downhill Mountain Bike Course.

Charges have also been reduced at Bedford Sawmills to encourage shorter stays for dog walkers and people using the café. It is now £1 for the first two hours and £2 to stay all day with proceeds helping to maintain the trails network. 

The Tamar Trails were funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with additional support from Devon County Council, West Devon Borough Council, Tamar Valley AONB, and DEFRA through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.

For information about the Tamar Trails Centre and details of May holiday activities visit http://www.tamartrails.co.uk">www.tamartrails.co.uk