Dartmouth Castle

Just as good as when we came back in 2018. Enjoyed the walk to here from Dartmouth main. Interesting history in spite of royal interventions. Our dog Amos had a wonderful time. There's also a good cafe selling good coffee near the entrance.

Take the small ferry boat along the harbour to the castle, the lads that run the small ferry s are very kind and informative. The castle is full of history and the views are spectacular. Dartmouth is one of the best places to go. Good food, clean and the people are lovely.

Brilliant. So much to see, read and explore. The castle is on different levels so there's a little walking to be done. Well worth it, fantastic sights from the tower. Plenty of cannons, information boards about guns, wars, soldiers, Dartmouth history, as well as the church and remembrance garden. E. Heritage, so free for members, around £10 if not. Little shop, cafe directly outside. Parking - there's a small carpark at the castle, but ample street parking on the way up to the castle. It's narrow roads to it, but we had no problem in the motorhome. Lovely woody walk, with stunning sea views.

Dartmouth castle is a beautiful castle with scenic views & lovely turquoise river.
The castle is English Heritage but can pay at the reception.
The castle is not wheelchair friendly or for those aren't steady on their feet.
Even parts of the castle, the most active may find difficult.
The disabled can access the gift shop.
The car park is small and meter paying except disabled blue badge.
There is a registration number recognition for your can in and out.

Beautiful castle and location, but I think £11.50 each is steep!
It's a lot of money for a very small castle.

Great little place. If you're ever going to do the Round Robin Cruise...Bus...Train...Ferry trip, this is where the Boat picks you up if you're starting or departing from Dartmouth Castle

Not big castle, but it's worth exploring. We all loved it as it's so unique. We came an hour before closing, and we had it all to ourselves and even got parking next to it.

Beautiful place to visit. The building is in several parts. Well worth a visit. Stunning location and so much history.

Amazing, right next to the river and has a good viewing spot along with a lot of picnic areas.

I don't usually like history but this was awesome 👍

Well done Dartmouth castle 🏰,

Alfie

Beautiful place. Magical, stunning scenery and the most wonderful atmosphere

Cool little castle at the mouth of the river Dart. Get there by ferry from Dartmouth or take the 20 minute walk from town. Very pretty.

Nice fortress with great views. Paid parking available on the site. Some areas were under repair bur staff very helpful to navigate.

Dartmouth Castle: A sentinel perched upon the rugged cliffs, its ancient stones echoing tales of valor, trade, and salt-kissed winds. Let us embark on a journey through time, where the past converges with the present, and the River Dart whispers secrets to those who listen.

Guardian of the Estuary:

For over 600 years, Dartmouth Castle has stood watch at the narrow entrance to the Dart Estuary. Its purpose? To safeguard the bustling port of Dartmouth a gateway to adventure and maritime lore.

Imagine the clank of armor, the creak of wooden ships, and the distant call of seagulls. The castle’s walls have witnessed it all the ebb and flow of tides, the comings and goings of sailors, and the dance of light on the water.

A Seaside Citadel:

As you approach, the castle emerges a Tudor artillery fort with a story etched into its stones. The Gun Tower stands proud, its cannons long silent but still echoing tales of defense.

Winding passages beckon a labyrinth of history. Climb the battlements, where once archers scanned the horizon for sails. Below, imagine a harbor chain stretched across the estuary an invisible guardian against invaders.

Views That Steal Breath:

From the castle’s heights, gaze upon Dartmouth town its rooftops huddled like old friends. The river sparkles, boats bobbing in a timeless waltz. The air tastes of salt and adventure.

On a clear day, the vista stretches past wooded slopes, over hidden coves, and toward the open sea. Seabirds wheel, their cries blending with the wind.

John Hawley’s Legacy:

Here, the spirit of John Hawley lingers a merchant, privateer, and inspiration for Chaucer’s flamboyant ‘Shipman.’ His tales weave through the castle’s stones, whispering of daring voyages and hidden treasures.

Climb higher, and the world unfolds a patchwork of land, water, and memory. The Canterbury Tales come alive, and you become part of their narrative.

River Rendezvous:

Arrive by boat a river taxi from the town quay. The water cradles you, and the castle draws near. Seals bask on rocks, their eyes curious. Perhaps they, too, know the castle’s secrets.

Sip a home-made cream tea on the terrace. Watch boats drift by, their hulls painted with stories. The sun warms your skin, and time slows a gift from the estuary.

Woodland Wanderers:

Beyond the castle, coastal and woodland paths await. Lace up your boots and follow the trail. Wildlife rustles the flash of a deer, the darting flight of a kingfisher.

Each step connects you to centuries past. The castle fades behind trees, but its presence lingers a guardian of memories.

Dartmouth Castle: Where stone meets sea, and the echoes of centuries blend into a symphony of waves and whispers. 🏰🌊🌿

Grandchildren enjoyed the history and exploration of the castle. The views are amazing.

A very well preserved piece of history. For the first time I saw how the cannons work and all the equipment required for shooting the cannon.

We had a lovely 3 hours here, despite the stormy wet weather.
We had a mooch around the castle, the remembrance garden, bought a book from the church, and had a walk down to Sugary Cove, which is well worth the short walk.

Nice to take the little boat over to the castle. Nice place, small castle. We spent about an hour plus there.

I always enjoy an English Heritage castle and this is one of the best so far. Wonderful views and beautiful short walk around the grounds as well as the castle, church and tea room. Highly recommended taking the ferry for the full experience!

Lovely walk around the castle and could even take our dogs with us. We parked in the main Dartmouth car park and walked as I'd heard parking at the castle was limited... But then castles weren't built with parking in mind so not really a surprise. The gents public toilet is a bit of a climb at the moment due to a small landslide, but hopefully this will soon be sorted out.

Loved this place, some stunning views of the town and the river Dart. The castle has some great history. Also has a lovely little café serving snacks and tea and coffee. Reasonable prices. The staff are knowledgeable and have passion which I really admire especially as most are volunteers.