Explore Dartmouth - South Devon

Picturesque Dartmouth is very much a ‘yachtie town’ where you’ll see all kinds of craft on the beautiful river.   Stroll along the Embankment of this historic town with the distinctive Britannia Royal Naval College set proud on the hillside and you’ll lose count of the yachts, ferries, kayaks, motorboats, dinghies, paddleboards and many more waterborne craft.  You can hire boats, take a range of river trips, browse the shops and soak up the history.  Devon’s Dartmouth is very close to the English Riviera and makes the perfect day out.

Shopping

Dartmouth is choc-a-bloc with sailing stores and chandleries plus lots of independent boutiques, gift shops and endless art galleries all set within pretty streets. Here you’ll see many historic buildings with stunning architecture. Don’t miss Foss Street, the oldest street in Dartmouth, which is crammed with boutiques and galleries. 

Food and Drink

Dartmouth is a great spot to enjoy a day out with lunch or dinner.  There is a huge selection of cafes, restaurants and eateries and you can sit outside at the Station Restaurant enjoying spectacular views of the river plus a scrumptious Devon cream tea.

Dartmouth Castle

One of the most beautiful castles in England, 600 year old Dartmouth Castle guards the entrance to the River Dart and is managed by English Heritage.  It is a delightful walk from the centre of Dartmouth or you can take the Castle Ferry – a real treat!  After visiting the castle you can take some refreshment at the tearooms or take a walk along the South West Coast Path.

Bayards Cove Fort

A short stroll along the riverside at Dartmouth’s Bayards Cove leads to this stunning waterside fort built in the 1500s.  Bayard’s Cove witnessed the famous Mayflower setting sail for the New World and the historic and colourful buildings along the quay are a joy to behold.

The Agatha Christie Experience via Dartmouth

Take the steam train from Paignton, Goodrington or Churston along the beautiful English Riviera coastline to Dartmouth (includes ferry crossing), take a stroll round Dartmouth and then hop aboard the Christie Belle riverboat to Agatha Christie’s riverside residence at Greenway.  It makes a superb day out.

Britannia Royal Naval College

A visit to Britannia Royal Naval College is a memorable excursion and there are regular guided tours of this magnificent building designed by Sir Aston Webb.  This is where Her Majesty the Queen first met Prince Philip and there are 150 years of maritime history to discover. The college is a working military establishment so you’ll need photographic ID to join a tour.

Festivals

There is always something going on in Dartmouth with their legendary Royal Regatta, Dartmouth Music festival, Dartmouth Food Festival, Crab Festival, Dartmouth by Candelight and much more.  You’ll often hear live music and see thriving markets – it’s a really buzzy kind of place you’ll just love to visit.

Getting to Dartmouth

You can take the steam train from Paignton, Goodrington or Churston to Kingswear (ticket includes ferry ride across to Dartmouth) and there are regular buses too.  For spectacular coastal scenery try the Dartmouth Day Cruises from Torquay and Brixham. All the trips are dog friendly and ideal for solos, couples or families.