Things to do in Dartmouth
Getting out and about on the river is high on everyone’s agenda when visiting Dartmouth. It’s also the best way to see Dartmouth so just go with the flow. Whether it’s a river cruise, kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing or a motor launch, simply grab a lifejacket and you’ll have South Devon’s watersport culture at your fingertips. Enjoy all Dartmouth has to offer whilst staying in a luxury Dartmouth holiday home.
Beaching
If you’re looking for sand, sea and perhaps more than a glimpse of sunshine, Dartmouth is a great base.
Walking
Dartmouth offers a great base for a self catering holiday, not only is it one of the top foodie hotspots in the South West, it’s also the base for some excellent walks.
Culture, Festivals & Historical Houses
Festivals, historical houses and galleries galore, Dartmouth ticks all the boxes if you’re looking for a holiday hotspot with a great foodie and cultural vibe.
Wellness in Dartmouth
Wellness in Dartmouth Recharge and rejuvenate… make the most of your holiday and be kind to your body and mind. Relax and have some well-deserved ‘me time’. We have some excellent beauty therapists, yoga and pilates instructors and personal trainers just waiting to give you a helping hand while you’re on holiday in Dartmouth. So maintain your inner glow, indulge yourself and perhaps try something new. Contact us In-house Pampering We offer in-house pampering through My Personal Sanctuary giving you the opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate in the comfort of your Dartmouth holiday home. Indulge in luxurious beauty therapies and treatments; facials, deep tissue massage, manicures, pedicures and complete body journeys. Their experienced beauty therapists use pure essential oils from Neal’s Yard Remedies Organic products for the most exquisite experience. If you’d like to use My Personal Sanctuary during your stay, please contact one of our team. Make-up, Beauty & Massages For the full beauty treatment experience visit River & Rose. This contemporary beauty studio is in the heart of Dartmouth and provides a tranquil and relaxing environment, somewhere to forget about the outside world and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. River & Rose offer an extensive range of beauty treatments and massage including make up lessons, manicures and pedicures and a full body aromatherapy massage. The only problem is choosing which treatment or massage to go for! Dartmouth Beauty Studio is the place to head if you’re looking for the ultimate manicures, pedicures and relaxing neck back and shoulder massage (perfect for relieving tension) to bespoke facials and a sublime full body Swedish Massage. Relax in the capable hands of Emma, for the best in basic, holistic and advanced treatments. Emma’s experience speaks volumes with 30 years in the beauty industry, you’re assured of her individual attention. Spa Treatments The Dart Marina Spa is open to non-residents and is the place to go for a spot of pampering during your stay in Dartmouth. Book yourself in with one of their friendly qualified therapists for luxurious and holistic treatments and soothe those aching muscles, relax with a hot stone massage or a rejuvenating and hydrating facial, hot stone massage or a firming body wrap. What a great start to your holiday. Take yourself off for the day and indulge in a few hours of total pampering at Dartmouth Golf & Spa. Sitting just on the outskirts of Dartmouth, this beautiful spa offers bespoke spa programmes designed to suit you. Spa treatments include massages, rejuvenating facials, body wraps and exfoliators. All treatments are delivered in beautifully appointed treatment rooms and by experienced professional therapists using the award winning Temple Spa product range to relax your body and improve your wellbeing. Fitness Zest Yoga is run by founder Kirsty whose passion for yoga led to the creation of her inclusive and welcoming classes for all abilities, ages and genders. Kirsty focusses on Hatha/Vinyasa style yoga; a fusion of mind, body and breath where the movements transition from one pose to the next, holding the pose and using the breath to take you further. Kirsty also offers outdoor sessions on the beach or at Coronation Park, Dartmouth during the summer (weather permitting). She also provides private one to one and group sessions - perfect if you’re holidaying with friends or family! The Flavel Pilates is known to have a positive impact on our mental and physical wellbeing and ultimately improving our quality of life. It’s also great for all ages so why not get yourself booked into one of the classes at The Flavel. This excellent venue is right in the heart of Dartmouth so it's easily accessible. It also has a cafe bar, it’s perfect for after class refreshments! Dartmouth Leisure Centre offers great fitness options for all the family; let the kids have a splash about in the heated indoor swimming pool while you work out in the fully equipped gym or perhaps join one of the exercise classes. Toddlers and younger children are well catered for too, the soft play is always a big hit and perfect if the weather’s a little inclement! Just Be Pilates Don’t dip out of your daily routine during your holiday. Get in touch with the talented team at Just Be Pilates. Their boutique and tranquil studio is the perfect place for Yoga, mat work, reformer and wellbeing events. Whether you’re an athlete or a complete novice, Justine and her team will guide you through your workout of mindful movement. Stay in Dartmouth
Sailing
Dartmouth has always had a rich sailing history and today is a renowned sailing port welcoming visiting sailors from all around the coast and overseas.
Crabbing
Stroll along the embankment and you’ll find children (and adults) lying on their bellies or crouching over crabbing lines and buckets.
Dartmouth Shops
Dartmouth Shops Sitting on the banks of the meandering River Dart, historical Dartmouth has been a coastal trading town since the 13th Century when the wealthy were involved in the Bordeaux wine trade. Today, shopping in Dartmouth is a treat, a great place for a relaxing amble around the shops. This charming riverside town has a plethora of smart outlets, as well as the more familiar high street brands, the town is proud of its independently run boutiques, outdoor specialists and shops selling coastal style interiors, excellent delis and bakeries plus your favourite brand food stores. Local drink producers have started to move into the town which is fast becoming the go ‘go to’ destination for food lovers. Dartmouth has some excellent art galleries too, displaying a broad selection of works of art, perfect as a memento of your stay. Explore Dartmouth’s winding streets and enjoy some retail therapy, stop off for a coffee and a pastry, a crab sandwich or perhaps fish and chips overlooking the river. Friday is market day at the Old Market Square with specialist shops and stalls. The Artisan Market is on the 4th Saturday of the month if you’re looking for some eclectic style and the Farmers’ Market is on the 2nd Saturday of the month, perfect for picking up locally grown produce, local meats and the freshest fish. Shopping in Dartmouth Simon Drew Gallery, Foss Street Simon’s popularity has spread throughout the UK since opening his gallery in 1981. Working in pen and ink, his quirky wildlife drawings combined with nonsense verse and everyday objects can be seen on the prints, cards, and mugs in the gallery which also showcases a range of ceramics. Triton Galleries, Foss Street If you’re interested in fine art, this is the gallery for you with an unrivalled collection of original art and collectable limited editions from the UK's leading contemporary artists. Browser Books, Foss Street An independent bookshop packed with an assortment of brilliant titles waiting to be browsed so pick up your holiday read. Dartmouth Silver, Foss Street Beautiful handcrafted silver jewellery made in the studio in Dartmouth. Wild Food Devon - Fish & Game, Mark Lobb, Market Square An established fishmonger supplying fresh local fish & game. All fish is caught no more than 30 miles from Plymouth or Brixham and Mark’s permanent spot at the Market Square means you can buy fresh fish whenever you fancy. Saveurs Boulangerie, Patisserie and Chocolaterie, Market Street An independent French bakery and café producing exquisite freshly baked hand-crafted French bread, pastries, cakes and chocolates. They also have run French baking courses. Great for breakfasts and light lunches. The coffee is pretty good too! Dartmouth Butchers, Victoria Road The only butchers in Dartmouth, this family-run business only buys from local farms and suppliers so they can guarantee traceability. They make all their own sausages in-store. 11 Clothing, Victoria Road Independent store selling branded clothing, footwear and accessories for men and women. Paul Barclay Designs, Oxford Street You’ll instantly recognise Paul Barclay’s designs if you’ve spent any time in Dartmouth. His shop/gallery is packed with his distinctive pictures of yachts and buildings and he’s earning a reputation as being one of the leading artists in the southwest. Nash & Duff, Newcomen Road An Independent British lifestyle shop selling beautiful handmade bags. Bert & Buoy, Fairfax Place Distinctive original art on coastal British blankets and homeware - cushions, tea towels, mugs and glasses plus beautiful bags, framed prints and stationery. Seasalt, Fairfax Place Functional, stylish clothing, footwear, bags and jewellery, all designed in Cornwall plus a homeware range. Crew Clothing, Fairfax Place Originating in Salcombe in ‘93 this coastal clothing brand with its crossed oars and stripes reflects the lifestyle of the British seaside. Smith Street Deli, The Old Shambles Smith Street Great selection of deli products including local Sharpham cheeses. Great for coffee, pastries and lunch. The Dart Gallery, Lower Street A collection of works by a selection of established British artists with mixed and solo shows over two floors. Escape to the Coast, Lower Street Coastal style interiors gifts and fashion from local makers and businesses, small independent manufacturers and UK suppliers. Distinctly Living, Lower Street Beautiful stylish home and kitchenware displayed with unique furniture design. Pop in and check them out! Jack Speak, Lower Street This Dartmouth based British Naval Heritage lifestyle brand is the go to place for stylish coastal clothing for all the family. Fat Face, The Quay Originally started with two young Brits selling T-shirts to fund their skiing. Today the brand sells easy going clothes which reflects the lifestyles of their customers. Henry Lords High end yachtie and tech savvy gear for the great outdoors. Hollands (formally Dartmouth Boating Centre), Riverside Court South Embankment Traditional store selling outdoor clothing and sporting goods. Stay in Dartmouth
Dartmouth Travel
How to get to Dartmouth Dartmouth is in a stunning location...sitting at the mouth of the River Dart in the heart of the South Hams and surrounded by steep wooded hillsides. But believe it or not, getting there isn't too onerous a trip. Devon has excellent transport connections to the rest of the country and you'll soon be sipping fizz on the deck or dining alfresco on the embankment. Flying to Dartmouth Fly into Exeter or Bristol airports. You can fly into Exeter from Newcastle, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Dublin, Belfast City, Jersey, Isles of Scilly and numerous European cities. Pick up a hire car and drive to Dartmouth, about 45 miles. Arrive at Bristol airport (108 miles) and pick up a hire car or get the train from Bristol to Totnes then get a taxi to Dartmouth. Driving to Dartmouth Dartmouth is easy to reach by road, with both the M5 and A30 bringing you to Exeter ready to link to the A38 which runs between Exeter and Plymouth. So an easy journey whether you're driving down from Wales, the Midlands or the North and a straightforward trip from the M25 onto the M3 and joining the A303 which takes you past Stonehenge. Once on the A38 towards Plymouth, take the Totnes slip road onto the A384. After Totnes follow the A381/A3122 to Dartmouth. The drive from London will take around 4.5 hours depending on traffic and from Bristol, around 2 hours. Dartmouth by Train Totnes is the nearest railway station with regular trains from Birmingham, London Paddington, the North and Wales arriving at Totnes train station. Your journey will take just over three hours from London Paddington. It’s easy to pick up a taxi at Totnes station, then it’s about a 30-minute ride to Dartmouth… you can of course catch the ferry from Totnes for a relaxing trip along the River Dart to Dartmouth. Taxi Numbers If you’re taking the train, it’s sometimes hard to grab a cab at the station especially if you’re travelling with young children with lots of bags. By the time you’re at the taxi rank you may find the cabs have all been taken! We recommend booking your taxi in advance to be sure you’re not left hanging around. You should expect to pay around £26 for the trip. Ultimate List of Dartmouth Taxi Numbers
Water lovers will feel especially at home in Dartmouth.
Like the rest of South Devon, the opportunity for adventure is in abundance. This is what attracts most visitors to the area. There is no better playground for small boats than Dart Harbour. Hire a canoe and explore the winding creeks or try your hand at some dinghy sailing from Dartmouth Yacht Club.
In the Dart Valley, explore the oak woodlands and temperate rainforests that are managed by the Devon Wildlife Trust. This is especially wonderful on a hot summer’s day when you can relax in the shade the valley provides and learn about the diversity of its habitats and species.
You will soon discover that Dartmouth has a rich and fascinating history.
If you are intrigued by mystery, visit Agatha Christie’s Greenway House and return to Dartmouth on a ferry from Greenway Quay. The Dartmouth Museum offers the opportunity to delve into the town’s maritime past. The beautiful 1640s terrace of rich merchant’s houses that the museum occupies is worth a visit, even if you don’t go inside!
Getting out and exploring the coast is a must. Picnic at Castle Cove or Sugary Sands before hiring a paddleboard at Blackpool Sands. These beaches are all found on the South West Coastal Path. Follow the path up to Little Dartmouth and take in the impressive, panoramic views it offers across the Estuary and beyond. If you are a fan of long coastal walks, Dartmouth is the perfect starting point.
The meandering River Dart is stunning.
Rising from its source amongst the rugged granite tors of the Dartmoor National Park as the West Dart River and the East Dart River. The two rivers converge at Dartmeet, a popular beauty spot where the River Dart continues its journey flowing through Buckfastleigh, Dartington, Totnes and Dittisham before reaching Kingswear and Dartmouth. A journey of 74 kilometers from source to the mouth of the river, just beyond the iconic landmark of Dartmouth Castle.
