Torpoint is the gateway to Cornwall, on a peninsula in East Cornwall, across the River Tamar from Plymouth. A car ferry links Devonport with Torpoint in Cornwall. It is a small working town with strong links to shipbuilding, the naval dockyard across the water and the sea.
The first official ferry service was started as far back as 1791, allowed by Act of Parliament. In 1832, the first chain ferry was started and three ferries operate today. The Torpoint Ferry is still free for foot passengers and there is a small charge for cars travelling in the Plymouth direction. The ferries provide passengers with a 10 minute service from both sides of the River Tamar. The majority of passengers are commuters travelling to and from work however these numbers swell during holiday periods with the addition of tourists visiting Cornwall.
Two miles north west of Torpoint is Antony House, owned by the National Trust. It is a Queen Anne mansion owned by the Carew family since the 15th century, though the present house was built in 1721. The house has wonderful tapestries, a large dining room and library, and pieces of 18th century furniture. The house is built of grey stone, and faces a forecourt enclosed by colonnades. The east and west wings are built of red brick
The old marina, Ballast Pound, is next to the local sailing club which holds frequent races during the yachting season. Torpoint Marina stands just inside the western bank of the River Tamar, facing Plymouth's great naval dockyard. Although not a holiday resort, its situation makes it a natural centre for sailing as well as for sea and river angling.
The town itself has no harbour as such, but in recent years the 200-year-old Ballast Pound, a scheduled ancient monument, has been developed into a yachting harbour capable of accommodating up to 100 craft.
The Ballast Pound is a square tidal harbour on the foreshore, 3 miles from the breakwater. It was built in 1784 by the Navy Board as a shelter for ballast barges (they loaded empty ships with ballast for their return voyage).
Torpoint, Cornwall genealogical informatio from Genuki