Name: Bayard's Cove Fort
Rating: 5.0

Bayard's Cove Fort

Bayard's Cove Fort, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9AX, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Bayard's Cove Fort, this Tudor fort, built by the borough of Dartmouth between 1522 and 1536, contained heavy guns to protect the prosperous harbour town from attack. It was the last line of defence against enemy ships that had eluded Dartmouth and Kingswear castles and the iron chain stretched across the Dart estuary between them. Occupying a terrace cut from the rocky river bank, Bayard’s Cove Fort is picturesquely sited at the entrance to Dartmouth harbour.

It was here in the estuary that the English contingent assembled in 1147 and again in 1190 to depart on crusade. Originally, the major port on the River Dart was Totnes, higher upriver, but from the 13th century the name Dartmouth was being used for the harbour town that was gradually expanding south along the waterside.

Free Entry. If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Bayard’s Cove Fort was built in the early 16th century by the townspeople of Dartmouth to protect the town quay. The significance of its strategic position is best appreciated from the sea: it controls the narrowest point of the channel at the entrance to Dartmouth harbour.
The town of Dartmouth developed in the Middle Ages because of the value of the safe, deep water anchorage at the mouth of the Dart estuary.
It was here in the estuary that the English contingent assembled in 1147 and again in 1190 to depart on crusade. Originally, the major port on the River Dart was Totnes, higher upriver, but from the 13th century the name Dartmouth was being used for the harbour town that was gradually expanding south along the waterside.
The town became the main base for the wine trade with south-west France, and despite the loss of this source of wealth following the start of the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), Dartmouth continued to prosper with the growth of the cloth trade.

Facilities

Parking: There is a charged car park at the quay within a five minute walk of the fort, not managed by English Heritage.
Food & Drinks: There are places to eat and drink in Dartmouth town.
Toilets: There are toilets in Dartmouth town.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Free Entry.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/bayards-cove-fort/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open any reasonable time during daylight hours.

Address: Bayard's Cove Fort, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9AX, UK

Post Code: TQ6 9AX

Council: South Hams

County: Devon

Road Access: Located in Dartmouth, on the riverside.
Bus Access: The nearest bus stop is Dartmouth Pontoon, 0.3 mile/0.5 km from the Fort. Buses to Dartmouth run from Totnes Coronation Road and Rail Station (Stagecoach Bus 92), or from Kingsbridge Bus Station (Bus 93). Stagecoach Buses also run from Brixham Town Square (Bus 18) and from Paignton Bus Station (Bus 120) to Kingswear Banjo. Cross the River Dart on the Dartmouth Lower Ferry, which lands near the Fort.
Train Access: Paignton 8 miles / 13 kms, catch Bus 120 from the Bus Station to Kingswear for the Lower Ferry. Or Totnes 11 miles / 17 km, catch Bus 92 from the Station Forecourt to Dartmouth.
Bicycle Access: Find this site on The National Cycle Network.
Parking: There is a charged car park at the quay within a five minute walk of the fort, not managed by English Heritage.