Calstock (Cornish: Kalstok[2]) is a civil parish and a large village in south east Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, on the border with Devon.

[6] As well as Calstock, other settlements in the parish include Albaston, Chilsworthy, Gunnislake, Harrowbarrow, Latchley, Metherell, Coxpark, Dimson, Drakewalls, Norris Green, Rising Sun and St Ann's Chapel.

Archaeological excavations and geophysical surveys on Church Hill, conducted between 2007 and 2011 by archaeologists from the University of Exeter, revealed evidences of a settled population in the Early Bronze Age (c. 2200-2000 BCE).

More recent excavations have revealed the presence of a Roman mine consisting of pits connected by a network of tunnels.

[10] The fort was occupied for about thirty years: in 75 CE, the Legio II Augusta moved on to South Wales, leaving auxiliary units behind in Devon and Cornwall.

During the civil war, the Parliamentarians attacked Gunnislake New Bridge; it was defended by Sir Richard Grenville and Captain Southcote with men from their garrison at Calstock.

[13] At the cost of 240 men,[clarification needed] the bridge was lost to the Parliamentarian forces, however they failed to advance further into Cornwall.

The industry was booming in the late 19th century, and the discovery of copper, coupled with nearby granite quarrying, made Calstock a busy port.

[citation needed] The industry declined in the early 20th century due to foreign competition, and now only the ruined pump houses that dot the landscape remain.

In the Victorian era when steamers brought tourists to the village, Calstock was visited by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1846.

The importance of the river as a transport route declined with the construction of the 14 miles (23 km) Tamar Valley railway at the start of the 20th century.

Garlandstone was, unusually, built as a speculative venture by James Goss to keep his men employed at a period of diminishing repair work following the run down and closure of Morwellham Quay.

A second barge, Lynher, also built by James Goss, is privately owned at Cremyll There are four sets of lime kilns at Calstock and more at Cotehele Quay.

Nothing obvious remains of this period, but the pillars and arches to the north of the centre aisle of the present building are early 14th century.

This resulted in the thorough restoration of 1867, the floor levels were altered, the existing tiles relaid, the chancel given its present roof, and the building furnished with plain pitched-pine benches.

In addition, three chapels-of-ease were built at Gunnislake, Harrowbarrow and Latchley; these chapels were needed because of the increase in population for the mines of the parish.

Outside the chapel, just inside the main gate, there is a large granite memorial cross commemorating 132 men who made the supreme sacrifice in war.

The chapel, dedicated to St. Katharine and St. Anne, is connected to the main building via a small passageway leading to the dining room.

In the grounds of Cotehele, directly East of the House close to the River Tamar, lies a peaceful basic chapel.

[18][19] Tournaments were also held at St Ann's Chapel[20][21] and Albaston[22] Calstock Community Primary School was built in 1901 and opened on 6 January 1902.

It has since been extended with the addition of the infant suite which won an award for architectural design, in keeping with the remainder of the school.

The vast majority of pupils continue their education at Callington Community College or Devonport High School for Boys / Girls.

Wagons with goods from the mines around Gunnislake and Callington were brought down the hillside on a 0.4 miles (0.6 km) cable-worked incline with a gradient of 1 in 6 (17%).

Three of the piers stand in the River Tamar, which is tidal at this point and has a minimum clearance at high tide of 110 feet (34 m).

[29] Eighteen councillors are elected or co-opted from the five wards of the parish - Calstock, Chilsworthy, Delaware, Gunnislake and Harrowbarrow.

It was founded by twelve local men and was greatly supported by the then Provincial Grand Master, the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe.

In August 1900, Cotehele Lodge moved to the purpose built Calstock Masonic Hall, on Commercial Road,[32] which was opened by Sir Philip Colville Smith, CVO.