Dartmouth Accommodation

View from Dartmouth accross the Dart Estuary

The beautiful Dart Estuary.

One of two ferry crossing places in Dartmouth

Dartmouth is a great place for shopping for clothes, art and designer bits and bobs

The wonderful old market building in Dartmouth

Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth South Hams South Devon UK

You'll catch your breath when you first see sublime Dartmouth, whether it's by boat on one of the many boat trips into Dartmouth harbour, or via the descent road, and onto the ferry across the Dart Estuary. Probably the most popular of all the South Hams hotspots, Dartmouth has much to offer. The spectacular Dartmouth Castle for one, perched on the edge of the waterfront plus a selection of superb specialist shops, some ancient character pubs and inns and the beautiful Dart estuary, home to many a yacht and host to Dartmouth's famous annual Regatta.

If that isn't enough, for maritime history on this South Devon mariner haven check out the Dartmouth Museum. Dartmouth reigns supreme for Devon arts and crafts shops, and for galleries as well, notably the renowned Simon Drew Gallery. For the best views of the estuary why not take a boat trip from Dartmouth to Totnes and back, or alternatively come into Dartmouth via the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - magic!

Dartmouth Castle

Visual marvel Dartmouth Castle is 600 years old and was built to guard the entrance to the estuary and the River Dart, and indeed Dartmouth itself. Move over to the opposite bank and you can see the ruins of it's sister defence castle, Kingswear Castle. Dartmouth was a strategic port as far back as the Middle Ages when it had a large export trade. It was naturally then vulnerable to attack! Before Dartmouth Castle was built, Dartmouth was actually attached by French raiders in 1404. Defence buildings were rapidly errected, and work began on Dartmouth Castle in 1481, until it's completion 14 years later. This Devon castle was the first of it's kind, uniquely designed for artillery purposes.

Dartmouth Castle is amazingly preserved, with it's spectacular rectangular tower still intance, and with it's basement just above the waterline. In the basement there are 7 gunports, whilst the basement of the round tower was for musketeers who fired from the many slits in the wall - gunports were added here too though later. Dartmouth Castle changed hands twice during the English Civil War, but fortunately was not damaged. It remained a strategic defence castle right up until 1940.

Some of the best views of Dartmouth Castle are to be had from the water, via a boat trip. There is a castle ferry boat from Dartmouth which potters along the wooded banks of the River Dart, docking at a landing stage near the castle. Alternatively, parking facilities are available adjacent to the castle, and other facilities include a picnic area, toilets and a refreshments area, plus a shop. Guide dogs only, and unfortunately there is limited disabled access. Open Mar-Jun daily from 10am-5pm, July-Aug daily 10am-6pm, Sept daily 10am-5pm, Oct daily 10am-4pm, Nov-Mar/Sat & Sun 10am-4pm. Closed 24-26 Dec & 1 Jan.

Dartmouth Castle, Castle Road, Dartmouth TQ6 0JN. Tel: 01803 833588.

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway

The journey dornw from Churston to Kingswear takes in some glorious South Devon scenery, through woodland and rolling green hills and through a small tunnel. Just before Kingswear the journey moves through delightful Greenway Woods. Finally at Kingswear hop on the River boat to Dartmouth, ferries usually leave every 15 minutes in peak season. Hotspots in Dartmouth on the Agatha Christie trail include the historic Royal Castle Hotel, feated in 'Ordeal by Innocence' as the 'Royal George'. The film of the book featured the Royal Castle Hotel. Visit Christie's home, Greenway House high on the hillside above Dartmouth. Watch out for the Greenway boathouse - this was Nasse House in 'Dead Man's Folly' where the body of Marlene Tucker was found!

Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, Dart Valley Railway plc, Queen�s Park Station, Torbay Road, Paignton, Devon TQ4 6AF. Tel: (01803) 555872. For Greenway gardens and Greenway House, and more on Agatha Christie's time there, check the National Trust weblink to the right.

Dartmouth Museum & Attractions

For all things maritime, and a great collection of model ships have a look in the Dartmouth Museum. The museum building is Elizabethan, a merchant's house dating from 1640 and inside is a most interesting collection of maritime artefacts, particularly a collection of ships in glass bottles. There's been some notable visitors to this house in it's time. Charles II held court in one of the elaborate rooms when he was forced into Dartmouth once by a storm. Other famous notables forced into Dartmouth by chance include the Pilgrim Fathers and their rather haphazard beginnings of their journey to the New World America. The Pilgrim Fathers originally set off in two ships, but one persistently sprang leaks, hence their detour into Dartmouth for a short period. Eventually they left for the New World in one of the ships - the Mayflower.

Some of the model ships in the Dartmouth Museum were actually made by prisoners of war during the Napoleaonic Wars of 1802-1814. Check the Dartmouth Museum weblink to the right for more details on opening times.

Dartmouth Museum, The Butterwalk, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9PZ. Tel: 01803-832923.

Dartmouth Devon Golf

Now then Golfers, looking for a golfer's paradise. Dartmouth Golf Club is it apparently. Dartmouth Golf Course is a 18/9 hole golf course, with a PAR 72/73. It's open daily to non-members on a daily fee basis. Dartmouth Golf Club, Golfers Paradise!

Dartmouth Golf Club is also a luxurious country club as well offering 35 luxury en-suites

Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, Blackawton, Totnes, Devon. TQ9 7DE. Tel: 01803 712686.

Dartmouth Arts and Crafts Devon

Simon Drew Gallery, 13 Foss Street, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 9NR. Tel: 01803 832832. Well worth a look with 3 large rooms displaying some of the best Devon ceramics you're likely to see! A number of renowned ceramic artists display there work here.

For contemporary art in Dartmouth, look no further than the D'Art Gallery where some superb sculpture and paintings are on sale, most with a local South Hams theme. Note the superb beach scenes of Nicholas StJohn Rosse for example. Opening hours are Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun 10am - 5pm (11am Sun). D'art Gallery, 4 Lower Street, Dartmouth Devon TQ6 9AJ.

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