Dartmouth

The Dart gives one of the deepest natural harbours on the south coast, and Dartmouth has used it since the medieval period: crusader fleets assembled here in 1147 and 1190, and the port traded wine from Bordeaux and later cod from Newfoundland. The Butterwalk of 1640 is a row of timber-framed merchant houses on granite pillars over the pavement, carved and jettied. Dartmouth Castle, begun in 1388 at the river mouth, was among the first English fortifications designed for guns, and a chain could be raised from it across to Kingswear to close the harbour. Britannia Royal Naval College, on the hill since 1905, trains Royal Navy officers, and the town's regatta runs in late August. The Dartmouth Steam Railway runs along the estuary to Paignton.

What you actually see

• The Butterwalk - a 1640 row of jettied merchant houses on granite pillars.
• Dartmouth Castle - a 1388 fort built for guns, with the harbour chain point.
• The naval college - Britannia Royal Naval College above the town.
• The steam railway - a heritage line along the estuary to Paignton.

When to go

April to October; the regatta in late August fills the town completely and the Food Festival runs in October. Winter is quiet with the ferries still running. The town is reached by ferry from Kingswear on the eastern side.

Honest expectations

Roads into Dartmouth are narrow and parking is very difficult; most visitors use the park and ride or come by ferry. Prices are high, reflecting the yachting trade. The naval college is a working establishment with only occasional public tours.

Nearby

Kingswear is across the river; Totnes lies upstream and Torbay north.