Dartmouth Tourist Attractions

Of Dartmouth's former importance as a marine port - ships sailed from here in 1190 for the crusades, in 1347 for the siege of Calais and in 1588 to fight against the Spanish Armada - only the Britannia Royal Naval College bears testimony. Opened in 1905 and situated high above the town, it can count all male members of the Royal Family among its graduates.

Most impressive in Dartmouth are the half-timbered buildings in the Butterwalk (1635-1640), an arcade with graceful sculptures and home to the town museum.

St Savior's is situated on a hill outside Dartmouth and dates from the 13th-15th centuries; particularly notable is the 14th century ironwork on the south door depicting two leopards with the tree of life.

At the mouth of the Dart are St Petroc's Church (1641), which in accordance with tradition was built on the site of a chapel dedicated to St Petroc (d. 594), and the 14th/15th C castle.Dartmouth Castle was one of the first to be designed for artillery, and commands an excellent view of the town and Channel.

The road to Start Point skirts the wide curve of Start Bay. The fertile region between the coast and Dartmoor is known as the South Hams. The road continues via Stoke Fleming, the beautiful bay called Blackpool Sands, and Strete, then south to Slapton Sands, sandbanks largely consisting of shingle which extend for almost 7mi/11km to Start Point. For the next 1.5mi/2.5km the road follows Slapton Ley, a freshwater lagoon.

A causeway drom Bigbury-on-Sea leads to Burgh Island, on which there is a noted hotel, the superior Burgh Island Hotel.

Round Robin offers an inclusive ticket for a circular journey from Paignton to Kingswear to Dartmouth to Totnes and back to Paignton. Departing from Dartmouth the tour begins with an hour and a half river cruise from Dartmouth to Totnes. The tour continues from Totnes on to Paignton and Kingswear and back to Dartmouth by bus, steam train and ferry.

Greenway is a glorious woodland garden on the banks of the river Dart. It has evolved over the last 450 years and features a collection of rare, half-hardy trees and shrubs.

An English Heritage property in Dartmouth, this artillery fort was built in 1534 for the defense of the harbour entrance.