Dartmouth is a beautiful portside town with a vast nautical heritage and a charming maritime atmosphere. Located on the mouth of the River Dart, this is the perfect escapist holiday where visitors can both enjoy the breezy ambience and have plenty to do nearby.
Gorgeous views of the river are guaranteed in Dartmouth, which you can enjoy from Dartmouth’s Harbour where the bustling day-to-day life creates a cheerful mood. There are some incredible coves with amazing views of the water. Discover these via the circular walk from Castle Cove to Compass Cove, where the stunning open coast is on show all along the route. By Castle Cove is Dartmouth Castle, a fortress overlooking the water that you can explore inside and climb to the top of the battlement for a view of the whole town. Have lunch in this stunning location at Dartmouth Castle Tea Rooms. Be sure to also visit Kingswear Castle, on the other side of the river, for an alternative view of the town from its rooftop platform.
Water sports enthusiasts can try out many exciting activities on the river, ranging from paddle boarding and kayaking to hiring a boat and sailing. Novices can give paddle boarding a go by hiring boards at The Paddle Shack, who also offer lessons for first-timers. Explore the river in a more leisurely way via the Dartmouth River Cruise, where you can even spot some wildlife along the shore.
Gallants Bower is the perfect hiking spot for more active travellers, with terrains and paths for different abilities. There are gorgeous fields populated with beautiful flowers along the way, attracting lots of different wildlife. The route has a stunning panoramic view of the estuary. The ruins of a Civil War Fort can be visited here, which is definitely worth seeing for a glimpse of Dartmouth’s history.
Being located on the river, Dartmouth is a hotspot for crabbing. This is a fun and traditional holiday activity to keep the children entertained whilst the adults can enjoy the riverside views. There are plenty of places in town selling buckets and crabbing lines so that anyone can give this a go.
Not far from the town is Woodlands Family Theme Park, with rides that both adults and children can enjoy. There is something for everyone, with the rides and attractions for different ages and an animal area with meerkats, guinea pigs and goats. Eateries catering to all tastes are located on the site, meaning a full day can be spent here.
A 40-minute drive to Pennywell Farms is a hands-on, lively day out. Children can experience farm life for themselves by feeding the animals, collecting eggs and milking the goats. Children are also guaranteed to enjoy a tour of the farm on either the tractor or the mini train. Pig racing is an entertaining event to watch here. Noah’s Barn is the perfect place for lunch and coffee for the adults.
If you’re making a trip to Paignton, be sure to visit Paignton Zoo Environmental Park for a memorable experience with a range of different tropical animals, including giraffes, lions and tigers, to name a few. Children can learn about the importance of conservation as well as explore the site on the mini railway. Alternatively, on a hot day cool down in Paignton on water rides at Splashdown Quaywest overlooking the beach.
On the doorstep of Dartmouth are some fantastic locations that shouldn’t be missed when staying in this area of Devon. For a beach day, take a 10-minute drive to Blackpool Sands, a gorgeous sheltered bay where you can hire beach rafts and kayaks. The Venus Café is a great place for a light lunch overlooking the beach. You can also complete a circular walk from the beach through country lanes for some incredible views of the coast.
Explore the nearby area via the steam train, which adds a vintage feel to travelling. Take a passenger ferry over to Kingswear to get to the railway, which is a quaint and intimate village and in itself is worth a visit. Waterhead Creek is an idyllic picnic spot and there are cosy cafés in the village. The train can take you to Brixham, where the walk around Berry Head and its nature reserve rewards you with stunning views of the sea.
Paignton is another destination on the route and this town has those traditional seaside arcade games on its pier, as well as a wide range of shops to explore. Torquay is the furthest the train goes and this superb town is steeped in history which can be discovered by a tour of Kents Caverns. Babbacombe Model Village is also located here, an award-winning attraction which is guaranteed to be a magical visit.
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