Name: Dartmouth Castle
Rating: 5.0

Dartmouth Castle

Castle Road, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0JN, UK

1-99 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

Dartmouth Castle guarded the narrow entrance to the busy port of Dartmouth for more than 600 years. Imaginative installations trace the castle’s story right up to the Second World War. Look out for the audio and light display showing a crew preparing to fire a heavy gun.

Families can get hands-on with the weapons used to defend the fortress, and young history hunters can follow an activity trail throughout the castle. Take the scenic boat trip to the castle (weather dependent) from the town quay. The best views of the castle are from the water, so have your camera ready.

Price starts from £9.00 for Adults, £5.00 for Children(5-17 years) and £14.00 for Family(1 adult, up to 3 children). 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

Start on the water: The unique location of Dartmouth castle, on the entrance to the Dart Estuary, means you can approach it by boat. Take the passenger ferry from Dartmouth Harbour and enjoy a spot of seal spotting as you sail along the coast. Cameras at the ready: the best views of Dartmouth Castle are from the water!
Explore the gun tower: Developed over the centuries, the Gun Tower at Dartmouth Castle was one of the first purpose-built coastal artillery forts in Britain. Designed to house the guns that fired across the narrowest part of the river, the Gun Tower worked with the heavy iron chain (see more below) to prevent enemy ships from entering the estuary.
The harbour Chain: Climb down the steps until you reach the basement floor of the tower which is built into the rock itself. Here the large metal harbour chain would have been housed. An impressive feat of medieval engineering, a great iron chain once spanned the 250m opening of the Dart estuary to defend Dartmouth from enemy warships.
Enjoy the sound and light installation: Explore the castle further to find the two open-air gun platforms for heavy guns on each side of the Gun Tower, and another beside the shop, which was itself originally a WW2 gun house.
Investigate the passageways: Grab a torch and explore a passage in Dartmouth Point Battery. Get a sense of the cramped, dangerous and dark conditions in which the soldiers would have worked as they loaded charges into the guns. Walk down the narrow passages lit only by dim lanterns to recreate the atmosphere of wartime at the castle.
History of Dartmouth: The castle has defended the town and coastline for over six centuries, including during the Civil War, the First World War and the Second World War. You can read this history here before you go; and find out even more about this unique castle when you visit.
Magical Creatures: Looking for an adventure with your little ones? Uncover English folklore with our Folktale Creature Trails, where children can discover magical creatures from English myths and legends. Meet six unique creatures as you explore the site, and earn a special certificate marking your achievement when you complete the trail. There are some captivating audio stories to enjoy when you get home too.
Take a coastal walk: The castle lies on one of the most beautiful coastline walks in South Devon which forms part of the South West Coast Path. Combine your castle visit with a trip on one of two local steam railways, bus or ferry and make it a special day out for the whole family. With a range of wildlife, birds, flora and fauna along the way, this is a perfect excuse for a photograph.

Facilities

Parking: There’s limited pay-and-display parking 12m from the entrance. (Not managed by English Heritage.)
Food And Drink: Tearoom with stunning views over the estuary at the Castle sells cream teas, sandwiches, some hot meals and hot cold beverages. (Not operated by English Heritage).
Toilets: Toilets available (not managed by English Heritage). No disabled toilet or baby change facilities.
Dogs: Dogs welcome on leads. Assistance dogs welcome.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Advance online tickets:

Adult: £9.00 With donation & £8.10 Without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £5.00 With donation & £4.50 Without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £23.00 With donation & £20.70 Without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £14.00 With donation & £12.60 Without donation.
Concession: £8.00 With donation & £7.20 Without donation.
Member: Free.

On the day tickets:

Adult: £11.00 With donation & £10.00 Without donation.
Child (5–17 years): £6.00 With donation & £5.40 Without donation.
Family (2 adults, up to 3 children): £28.00 With donation & £25.40 Without donation.
Family (1 adult, up to 3 children): £17.00 With donation & £15.40 Without donation.
Concession: £9.50 With donation & £8.60 Without donation.
Member: Free.

Pricing URL: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dartmouth-castle/prices-and-opening-times/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Open Daily: 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm)

Address: Castle Road, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0JN, UK

Post Code: TQ6 0JN

Council: South Hams

County: Devon

Road Access: Dartmouth Castle is 1 mile south-east of Dartmouth, off the B3205.
Bus Access: The town of Dartmouth is served with buses from Totnes (92) and Kingsbridge (93), and Paington (120) and Brixham (18) utilising the passenger ferry from Kingswear Banjo.
Train Access: Paignton 8 miles (via ferry). Book tickets online at Great Western Railway.
Bicycle Access: Find your cycling route to Dartmouth Castle at sustrans.org.uk, the National Cycle Network.
Ferry Access: A ferry operates between Dartmouth and Kingswear.
Parking: There’s limited pay-and-display parking 12m from the entrance. (Not managed by English Heritage.)