Small-town travel: Best ideas for what to do in Dartmouth UK
Is Dartmouth UK worth visiting?
A resounding yes from me! Here’s why you need to visit Dartmouth and my ideas for what to do in Dartmouth UK.
My husband and I love to visit small towns wherever we travel. On a recent trip to the UK, we found charming small towns we could have stayed in for weeks. Of course, we went to London – and loved every minute of it. But the small towns hold enchantment the big cities just can’t top.
One of our favorite small towns was Dartmouth, in the southwest corner of England, where the Dart River empties into the Atlantic. It is a medieval town with a castle, cobblestone streets, quaint inns and restaurants and the most gorgeous views of the water. Here are my favorite ideas for what to do in Dartmouth UK.
What to do in Dartmouth UK
The Dartmouth area is steeped in history, from its medieval castle fortress to Agatha Christie’s beloved home, Greenway House. Here are suggestions for what to do in Dartmouth UK.
Agatha Christie’s Greenway House
We’re fans of Agatha Christie, so the idea of a ferry ride to Greenway House, her cherished summer home, was at the top of our list of what to do in Dartmouth UK. Three of Christie’s famous books were inspired by the home and its setting, “Dead Man’s Folly,” “Five Little Pigs” and “Ordeal by Innocence.”
The ferry ride itself is amazing. We saw seals sunning themselves on piers as we cruised along the deep green waters of the Dart River. Lush greenery lined the hills on either side. When you get off the ferry, you walk up a steep winding pathway to get to the house (my calves were burning just a little!).
Inside you’ll find the house much as Christie left it, including her games and even cookbooks lined on the shelf. My favorite thing about the home was the beautiful courtyard where Christie and her family buried their beloved pets. The pet cemetery says so much about the kind of person Christie was and what this home meant to her.
Dartmouth Castle: What to do in Dartmouth UK
For more than 600 years, Dartmouth Castle has served as a fortress to protect the city of Dartmouth and the country of England. From the castle, the views of the ocean, the river and the charming town of Dartmouth are breathtaking.
Steep winding staircases take you through the solid rock castle, exploring what life would have been like hundreds of years ago and how the role the castle played in war and protection.
More ideas for what to do in Dartmouth UK:
- Kingswear: Across the river from Dartmouth is Kingswear, another charming medieval city with winding streets to explore. The ferry takes you across the Dart River from Dartmouth to Kingswear.
- Britannia Royal Naval College: Dartmouth has a long history of naval protection and warfare, so it’s no surprise it’s the home of the Britannia Royal Naval College. It’s the UK’s premier naval training academy and is also where Queen Elizabeth met Prince Phillip.
- Dartmouth Steam Railway: Steam trains from the Dartmouth Steam Railway travel seven miles along the Devon coast and Dart River basin.
Places to stay and eat in Dartmouth
If you’re looking for what to do in Dartmouth UK and you want to spend a night or two, you should definitely consider Bayards Cove Inn. This incredibly charming inn dates to 1360. The rooms are luxurious with fireplaces and plush beds, yet it still has the original timbered ceilings.
What to do in Dartmouth UK: Places to eat
The Bayards Cove Inn provided wonderful meals in its cozy stone dining room. We ate dinner there one night and ordered the Full English Breakfast every morning during our stay. It was all delicious. We also stopped by the Cherub Inn, which is the oldest pub in Dartmouth. We had to have a pie and a pint, and it was hardy pub fare. Other restaurants feature seafood and face the river.
More small-town travel
You can find more small-town travel ideas — in the U.S. and abroad — in the travel section of my blog.
