Dartmouth (England)

Dartmouth is a town in the English Riviera and South Devon region of Devon. A historic port location, Dartmouth's geography and seaside location combined with its traditional architecture make it an idyllic settlement popular with tourists from around Britain and the near continent.

Get in

By car

Dartmouth is on the A379 coastroad from Kingbridge to Torbay; if coming from the East it is easier to drive to Torbay and then follow the signposts, from the West, drive to Plymouth (or the Devon Expressway) and follow the signposts to Dartmouth.

Bus or rail

There are direct national coach (National Expresss)and rail links to Totnes and Paignton from London, Birmingham and even as far as Scotland. Taxis are usually available from both stations, otherwise local bus stops are just a few minutes walk away. During the main holiday periods, at certain times, it is possible to get off a modern train at Paignton and cross to the Steam Railway. You can then travel the last few miles through breathtaking scenery to Kingswear before crossing the Dart on one of the ferries.

Boat

Dartmouth has strong connection with the sea and arriving by boat is a perfectly feasible and enjoyable way to enter into the town and the surrounding area, Dartmouth Directory has more information about services people travelling by boat

Get around
  • The town is too small for a traveller to need a bus, by foot is the best way
  • There is a ferry between the two sides of the valley, there is a small charge for crossing

See
  • Foss Street. A delightful pedestrianised street dating from the 1200s. It was built as a dam to hold the Mill Pool. As the water ran out it drove two mill wheels. If you stand about halfway along Foss Street and look towards St Saviour's Church, it is still almost possible to imagine how things might have looked. 
  • Browns Hill. This used to be the main road into Dartmouth. Today it is typical of the many small streets ablaze with colour during the summer months and well worth exploring. 
  • 🌍 Dartmouth Castle, Castle Road, TQ6 0JN, ☏ +44 1803 833588. Strictly speaking, two castles. The Medieval fortress dates back 600 years while the more recent building was still in use during the Second World War. It is under the care of English Heritage. adults £5.00, children £3.00, concessions £4.50. 
  • 🌍 Dartmouth Museum, The Butterwalk, Duke St, Dartmouth TQ6 9PZ. Apr-Oct: Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su M 1-4PM; Nov-Mar: daily 1-3PM. Occupying the first floor of an old merchant's house. The collection includes many ship models, pictures and artefacts of this ancient town together with much local and maritime information. (updated Aug 2017)
  • 🌍 St Saviour's Church, Anzac St, TQ6 9DL, ☏ +44 1803 414767. Consecrated in 1372 on the site of an earlier chapel and rebuilt during the 1630s. The church contains a fine wooden screen and an exceptional 14th-century door. It contains the famous Hawley Brass. 
  • 🌍 St Petrox Church, TQ6 0JN (next to Dartmouth Castle). Has some of the most stunning views in the country! Probably a monk's cell when first recorded in 1192 (it has been rebuilt - in the 17th century.) This church has an interesting collection of brasses and family memorials. Well worth a visit - perhaps by river taxi. 
  • 🌍 The Newcomen Engine (Coventry Canal Engine). One of the town's star attractions. It is well worth visiting Thomas Newcomen's famous engine if only to feel very small standing beside this huge machine! 
  • 🌍 Bayards Cove, Bayards Cove, TQ6 9AX. The Pilgrim Fathers set sail from here in 1620 in the Mayflower and Speedwell (but hit problems and had to go to Plymouth until they could continue their journey). Bayards Cove Fort was the last line of defence against foreign intruders. During the 1970s this area found fame as a setting for TV's The Onedin Line. 
  • 🌍 Newcomen Engine House. A replica of Thomas Newcomen's steam engine, used to pump water out of mining holes. It was one of the devices that launched Industrial Britain. 

Do
  • 🌍 Paignton and Dartmouth Railway. To get to Dartmouth's railway station, you must take a ferry to Kingswear the other side of the river. The railway reached Kingswear in 1864 and remained part of the network until 1971. Today steam trains run throughout most of the year except March. 
  • 🌍 Woodlands Family Theme Park (Woodlands Park), Woodlands Leisure Park, A3122, Totnes, TQ9 7DQ, ☏ +44 1803 712598. Mar-Nov daily from 9:30AM, winter weekends & school holidays. 3 Watercoasters, Toboggan Run, Arctic Gliders, Boats, 15 playzones for all ages. Biggest indoor venture zone in the U.K. with five floors of play and rides. Falconry & Animals. 
  • Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, Totnes, TQ9 7FE, ☏ +44 1803 712686. About 4 miles outside Dartmouth with an 18-hole Championship golf course (voted one of the top 80 courses in Great Britain & Ireland), a 9-hole pay-and-play course, driving range plus a superb leisure suite, complete with swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa, health & beauty treatments, sunbed, gymnasium and physiotherapy clinic. Open daily to non members, handicap certificates not required. (updated Jan 2018)

Buy

Dartmouth has the usual array of tourist products, art galleries and other outlets

Eat and drink

Restaurants
  • Anzac Street Bistro, 2 Anzac Street. 
  • Browns Hotel Tapas Restaurant. 
  • Cherub Inn and Restaurant. 
  • Dart Marina has good food and rooms, see Sleep.
  • Dartmouth Golf & Country Club (Restaurant). 
  • Taylors Restaurant, 8 The Quay. 
  • Jan and Freddies Brasserie. 
  • Kendricks, 29 Fairfax Place. 
  • Kings Arms, Dartmouth Road, Strete.. 
  • La Casa di Tudor Ristorante Italiano & Dartmouth Coffee House, Bayards Cove. 
  • Skippers, Fairfax Place. 
  • Sloping Deck, 10 Duke St. 
  • Station Family Restaurant, South Embankment. also take-away 
  • Tsangs Chinese Restaurant, 23 Fairfax Rd. also take-away 
  • Waterfront Coffee House, 8 South Embankment. 
  • Wheelhouse, Fairfax Place. also take-away 
  • Zannes Bistro and Breakfast Bar, Fore Street, Kingswear. also take-away 

Food on the water

Pubs
  • Dartmouth Arms, Bayards Cove. 
  • Coombe Road. 
  • Forces Tavern, Forces Cross, Blackawton. 
  • Royal Castle Hotel, The Quay. 
  • Seale Arms, Victoria Road. 

Take-away/cafés
  • Greenfields Sandwich Bar (at the Good intent), 30 Lower St. (Opp lower Ferry). Also real local ice cream 
  • Zannes Bistro and Breakfast Bar, Fore Street, Kingswear. 

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Bayards Cove Inn, 27 Lower St TQ6 9AN, ☏ +44 1803 839278. Attractive upscale inn with 7 rooms in a refurbished Tudor merchant's house. B&B double £200. (updated Jun 2020)
  • Browns Hotel, Victoria Road. 
  • 🌍 Dartmouth Golf & Country Club, Totnes, TQ9 7FE, ☏ +44 1803 712686. 3-star hotel. 
  • 🌍 Dart Marina Hotel, Sandquay Rd TQ6 9PH, ☏ +44 1803 832580. Spa hotel on riverbank, spacious stylish rooms, good food. B&B double from £180. (updated Jun 2020)
  • Fingals Coombe Dittisham. 
  • Royal Castle Hotel, The Quay. 
  • Stoke Lodge Hotel, Stoke Fleming. Les Routiers Westcountry Hotel of the Year 2003. 
  • 🌍 Strete Barton House, Totnes Rd, Dartmouth TQ6 0RU, ☏ +44 1803 770364. Lovely B&B with six rooms, oriental decor. No children under 8. B&B double £110. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 🌍 Kerswell Farmhouse, Cornworthy, Totnes TQ9 7HH, ☏ +44 1803 732013. Charming comfy farmhouse B&B with five rooms, open Mar-Oct. No children under 12 or dogs, no credit cards. B&B double £120. (updated Aug 2020)

Connect

As of Sept 2023, Dartmouth and its approach roads have 4G from EE, O2 and Vodafone, but a poor scratchy signal from Three. 5G has not reached this area.

Go next

Plymouth is to the west, Exeter is to the east and there is beautiful coastline all around the area.

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