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The Legend of Tamara

Cornwall's landscape of green river valleys, open windswept moor land, rocky coastal cliffs, golden beaches, mine engine houses and ancient churches is a spiritual place that can stir the spirit and the soul. There is much folklore and legends with some telling the story of King Arthur, Merlin and the Knights of the Round Table. My Mum had books of these legends which we would read and one of these legends was of Tamara (The River Tamar).

The Legend of Tamara

Long ago, when this land was young, there lived a bright‑eyed earth spirit named Tamara. She was the daughter of an under‑earth god, but she loved the world above — the sky, the wind, the wide-open moor.

Two giants, Tavy and Torridge, saw her wandering in the dawn light and fell in love with her. They followed her across the moor, each hoping to win her heart, but Tamara was a free spirit and would not be claimed.

When her father discovered she had escaped to the surface, his anger shook the ground. He found her with the giants and, in his fury, turned her into a spring. Her waters ran south, becoming the River Tamar that we know and love today.

The giants were cast into a deep enchanted sleep. When they awoke and found her gone, they begged for magic of their own. Gentle Tavy was changed into a river and flowed south until he met her again. Storm‑hearted Torridge was transformed too, but his path twisted northward, forever searching for the one he lost.

And so the land remembers them: Tamara, the river of light; Tavy, who found her; Torridge, who still wanders.



© Andrew Barrett, June 2026, All rights reserved

The image in this article was generated by AI to illustrate the legend.

This article is protected by copyright - please contact editor@landulph.org.uk if you want to use it.

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