The Dart has much more to offer than just Dartmouth. There are eight different towns and villages on its banks, each with its own character and attractions.
DARTMOUTH – KINGSWEAR – DITTISHAM – GREENWAY – GALMPTON – STOKE GABRIEL – BOW CREEK – TOTNES
‘Twinned With Narnia’ the historic market town of Totnes is the alternative capital of the South West. The town climbs the hill above the Dart to the Norman castle high above, with a wide range of often quirky shops and cafes to explore, and plenty to do
The voyage to Totnes is a worthwhile adventure in its own right. The river is easy to navigate with the tide as it passes the hamlet of Duncannon then winds through the iconic bends between the high woodlands around Sharpham. Even large yachts can safely spend a few hours alongside the quay in Totnes, with ample time to explore the town before departing on the ebb.
| Yacht Mooring | Drying visitor moorings available alongside Steamer Quay |
| Dinghy Mooring | Baltic Wharf have a visitor pontoon on the west side of the river |
| Small boat launching | Launch paddle craft and other small vessels from the public slipway adjacent to Longmarsh car park |
| Ferry connections | Ferries from Dartmouth most days in the summer |
| Tourist Information | visittotnes.co.uk |
| Food & Drink | A wide variety of restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes in the town. |
| Shopping | Totnes is famous for the quirky shops on the steep Fore Street, as well as a range of useful shops to restock for your next voyage. There is a market on Friday and Saturday, along with the famous Elizabethan market on Tuesdays in the summer. |
| Attractions | There's plenty to do in walking distance of the riverside! Ride the steam train to Buckfastleigh, discover the town's long heritage at the castle or Elizabethan house and museum, or visit the rare breeds farm. |
| Things to see | Explore the historic town centre, passing under the historic East gate to the town and seeing the place where the founder of the British people first stepped ashore making sure to sneak through the cobbled alleyway to the guildhall. In Bridgetown many gardens feature animal sculptures. There's a useful town trail to enjoy. |
| Walks | There's a very pleasant route along the east riverbank at Longmarsh, or the Dart Valley Trail follows the west bank to Sharpham and beyond. Upriver, a path from Totnes bridge follows the banks to the weir and then on to Dartington. |
The most tranquil part of the Dart, this mile-long backwater leads to the picturesque village of Tuckenhay.
Bow Creek dries, so it is best explored on a rising tide by small boat, the well-marked channel meanders between wooded hills. As well as Tuckenhay, the nearby villages of Bow, Ashprington and Cornworthy are a short walk from the landing.
| Yacht Mooring | There's an anchorage available at the entrance to the creek |
| Dinghy Mooring | Land at the Maltster's Arms Quay or Pontoon |
| Small boat launching | There's a small slipway just west of the Maltster's Arms |
| Food & Drink | Classic country inns include the Maltster's Arms in Tuckenhay, the Waterman's Arms in Bow, Durant Arms in Ashprington and Hunters Lodge Inn in Cornworthy |
| Attractions | The Sharpham Estate has a range of mildfulness and conservation retreats. |
| Things to see | Tuckenhay is a charming little village in the foot of the Harbourne Valley. It is home to a former paper mill, once famous for printing banknotes. Nearby Ashprington and Cornworthy are traditional farming communities. |
| Walks | The Dart Valley Trail crosses the creek at Bow, and heads North to Ashprington, Sharpham and Totnes. To the south, the path follows the bank of the creek, before climbing the hill to Cornworthy and on towards Dittisham and beyond. |
One of the picturesque salmon-fishing villages of the Dart, Stoke Gabriel is clustered around its own creek and mill pond. The church with its ancient oak tree and unusual blue clock dominates the scene, and the village is a very pleasant place to spend a few hours, or as a base for a trip to the nearby vineyard.
| Yacht Mooring | Visitor buoys are available off Stoke Gabriel creek. These are white, and marked with vessel size |
| Dinghy Mooring | Land at high tide at the pontoon in the creek, or at low tide use the pontoon at the creek entrance, adjacent to the Stoke Gabriel Boating Association clubhouse |
| Small boat launching | Launch paddle craft and other small vessels from the slipway adjacent to the village quay, or from the beach at the end of the creek at low tide |
| Food & Drink | The Rivershack cafe is on the quay, whilst a few steps up the hill you will find the Castle Inn and Church House Inn, as well as a couple of other cafes and bars. |
| Shopping | There's a post office and general stores in the village, as well as a couple of other shops. |
| Attractions | Enjoy a tour or a tasting at Sandridge Barton Vineyard, which can be found a mile or so from the quay. |
| Walks | There is a very pleasant circular walk out to Duncannon, and then back along the river bank. |
The village of Galmpton was the traditional location of boatyards for building the famous Brixham sailing trawlers, and there is still a busy boatyard and marina in the creek. Galmpton village is a short walk uphill, with pubs and shops, and is also the Dart’s gateway to Torbay – the beautiful beach at Broadsands is just over a mile from the riverbank.
| Yacht Mooring | Visitor buoys are available off Galmpton Creek. These are white, and marked with vessel size. Drying moorings are available at Dolphin Marina |
| Dinghy Mooring | Land at high tide at the pontoon in Dolphin Boatyard. |
| Small boat launching | Craft can be launched at Dolphin Boatyard's slipway |
| Food & Drink | There's The Creek restaurant at the water's edge, as well as the Manor Inn in the village centre and the Railway Inn a little further away. |
| Shopping | There's a post office, general stores and butchers in the village and other shops in nearby Churston. |
| Attractions | Broadsands Beach is a 40 minute walk from Dolphin Boatyard. Churston Golf Course and Battlefield Live can be found on the edge of the village. Agatha Christie's Greenway Estate is just a short walk away. |
| Walks | The Greenway Walk connects Galmpton, Greenway and Torbay, including a beautiful section along the foreshore at Galmpton. |
‘The loveliest place in the world’ Agatha Christie’s Greenway is perhaps the most iconic house on the Dart. Owned by the National Trust, this beautiful mansion is situated on the hillside above the river, and was used as the setting for many of Christie’s crime novels
| Yacht Mooring | Visitor buoys are available off Dittisham. |
| Dinghy Mooring | Land at Dittisham Pontoon and take the ferry to Greenway, or land at Greenway Quay. |
| Ferries | Greenway Ferry operate regular ferry services to Dittisham and Dartmouth |
| Food & Drink | There's a cafe on Greenway Quay |
| Attractions | The National Trust's Greenway House and garden is located just above the quay |
| Walks | The Greenway Walk connects Galmpton, Greenway and Torbay. The Dart Valley Trail is a lovely walk through the woodlands to Kingswear |
The picturesque village of Dittisham, with its line of colourful cottages along the waterside is the most popular upriver destination on the Dart, and for good reason. Just half an hour by boat from Dartmouth, there are plenty of swinging moorings available in this peaceful and picturesque spot, where a relaxing meal or drink at the Ferryboat Inn or Anchorstone Cafe are always a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
| Yacht Mooring | 18 Visitor buoys are available off the village. These are white, and marked with vessel size. There are also anchorages at Parson's Mud, to the south of Anchorstone or off Gurrow Point. Greenway Ferry operates a yacht taxi service. |
| Dinghy Mooring | Land at Dittisham Pontoon, or at high water |
| Small boat launching | Craft can be launched from the beach adjacent to the pontoon |
| Ferries | There are regular ferry services to Dartmouth and Noss and to Greenway |
| Food & Drink | The Ferry Boat Inn and Anchorstone Cafe can be found on the waterside. Up the hill is the Red Lion Pub. |
| Shopping | The Red Lion Pub also sells essential supplies. |
| Attractions | Agatha Christie's Greenway Estate is just across the river. |
| Walks | The Dart Valley Trail connects Dittisham to Dartmouth and Totnes |
Often overshadowed by Dartmouth, the ‘sunny side of the Dart’ has plenty of reasons for a visit. From enjoying the sunshine on the terrace of the Royal Dart Yacht Club, to taking a trip on the steam railway, its definitely worth spending some time across the river.
| Yacht Mooring | Dart Harbour Visitor moorings on Deep Water Pontoon, with a yacht taxi to the shore, or visitor berthing at Darthaven Marina |
| Dinghy Mooring | Land at Kingswear Dinghy Rack or Darthaven |
| Small boat launching | Craft can be launched from Waterhead Creek or Collin's Quay slipway |
| Ferries | There are regular passenger and car ferry services to Dartmouth |
| Tourist Information | exploredartmouth.co.uk |
| Food & Drink | Kingswear has two busy pubs - the Steam Packet and the Ship Inn, as well as the Belle Bistro, Dolium, Ebb & Flow and Mango's cafes and restaurants. |
| Shopping | There's a post office, general store and a few other shops in the village |
| Attractions | The Dartmouth Steam Railway runs on a spectacular route along the riverside and cliffs to Paignton. The National Trust's 1920s Coleton Fishacre can be found outside the village. |
| Walks | The Dart Valley Trail connects Kingswear to Greenway & Dittisham. The South West Coast Path is a long distance footpath to Brixham and beyond. For spectacular views, take a walk to the Brownstone Battery & Daymark. There are pleasant walks from the village around Waterhead Creek and along the riverside path next to the railway. |
Dartmouth is the busy port that’s the hub of the river. From the long embankments, perfect for catching crabs, to the historic castles protecting the river, the maritime culture can be found all over the town. If you need to lose your sea legs for a while, there are a huge selection of shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants to enjoy.
| Yacht Mooring | We have a range of walkashore moorings in Dartmouth - Town Jetty, DA Pontoon and Yacht Club Pontoon, as well as the island Deep Water Pontoons. |
| Dinghy Mooring | Dinghy landing is available at Double Steps, Mayor's Avenue and Yacht Club pontoons |
| Small boat launching | Small boats can be launched at the Higher Ferry Slipway. |
| Ferries | There are ferries from Dartmouth to Dartmouth Castle, Kingswear, Noss, Dittisham, Greenway and Totnes |
| Tourist Information | Visit the Tourist Information Centre in Mayor's Avenue or exploredartmouth.co.uk |
| Food & Drink | Dartmouth is a haven for food lovers with a meal to suit every palette and budget in the wide range of restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes |
| Shopping | There are a huge range of boutiques, galleries, shops and supermarkets in the town. There's a weekly artisan market on Tuesday and Friday |
| Attractions | The town is protected by the English Heritage Dartmouth Castle, a short walk or ferry ride from the town. Dartmouth Museum tells the fascinating history of the town. The Newcomin Engine House holds one of the world's oldest steam engines. Guided tours of Britannia Royal Naval College let you explore the home of Royal Naval officer training - past and present. For a more active day, Woodlands Leisure Park is a short drive or bus ride away, as is Dartmouth Golf Course. If you prefer to explore the river under someone else's steam, take a cruise on the 100year old paddle steamer Kingswear Castle. |
| Walks | The Dart Valley Trail connects Dartmouth to Dittisham & Greenway. The South West Coast Path is a long distance footpath to Stoke Flemming and beyond, with a shorter section to Little Dartmouth. The Mayflower, Diamond Jubliee & Gallants Bower walks are shorter routes around the town. |