Welcome to Dartmouth – England’s fjord; timeless heritage.
A beautiful and accessible natural ria – a flooded glacial valley – created by nature.
With a long maritime history, the area is surrounded by natural beauty – green countryside leads down to a deep-water sheltered harbour and a town brimming with exclusive boutiques, galleries and restaurants.
Marquee Destination
Dartmouth is a perfect location to explore all that South Devon has to offer – we are one river but eight unique destinations await, from peaceful hamlets and villages to bustling towns.
From Agatha Christie and Sir Walter Raleigh to a young Queen Elizabeth II meeting Prince Philip at Britannia Royal Naval College, our section of the River Dart has seen many notable residents and visitors.
The Pilgrims visited Dartmouth in 1620 in their ship ‘Mayflower’ before setting off for the New World, settling in Massachusetts, USA.
During World War Two, troops were stationed around Galmpton and the River Dart provided anchorage for many of the landing craft used in the D-Day invasion. Exercise Tiger, the D-Day rehearsal, took place at Slapton in 1944, involving tank landing ships full of US servicemen and military equipment. The Sherman tank memorial can be viewed at Torcross.
It’s also the place to view the oldest preserved steam engine in the world, invented by Dartmouth-born Thomas Newcomen.
Shore Excursions
The range of tours is impressive, ranging from Agatha Christie’s summer home and rewilding projects, to visiting historic houses and going deep underground in the caves of our UNESCO global geopark. A world of heritage, history, nature and communities await!
To view the shore tours available, please visit our web page here
Nature and nurture
We work hard to protect and conserve our beautiful natural environment. From projects to restore the saltmarsh habitats to running electric water taxis, our priority is to operate in a sustainable manner. Visitors can explore our stunning South West coastline, nature reserves and the nearby UNESCO Geopark and immerse themselves in the natural beauty.
Supporting the local community
Your visit will also help to support our local community causes – funds from cruise ship passengers are awarded to local charities and initiatives, enabling everyone to have safe access to the river. We really do value your call!
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WHAT WE OFFER YOU
- Pilotage for all vessels over 50m LOA – please see our Pilotage information here
- Tugs are available.
- Tender Pontoon – two berths available at the south end of the Town Jetty with ramped access to shore. Equipped with handrails, lighting, fenders, ample cleats, welcome tents with tourist information and CCTV.
- Bunkering.
- Town Jetty is departure point for ferry, paddle steamer and steam train tours.
- Coach and walking tours leave from top of jetty.
- Taxi rank, public bus stop, public toilets, shops, restaurants and wifi available near Town Jetty.
Please contact us at [email protected] to discuss your specific requirements.
