Real, curated ideas for Dartmouth's castle, the river, Blackpool Sands and places to eat — filtered by who's actually with you.
Dartmouth is a river town, and the Dart does most of the work. Boats run downriver to the castle, across to Kingswear for the steam railway, and upriver towards Totnes; the ferries are not a novelty here but the actual transport, and using them is the difference between a relaxed day and an afternoon spent looking for parking.
The town is genuinely handsome — narrow streets of Tudor and Georgian buildings behind a working quay — and it has more good places to eat per square mile than anywhere else on this coast. It also has a naval college on the hill, which gives the place a slightly more formal air than the beach villages further west.
The beaches are not in Dartmouth. Blackpool Sands is a fifteen-minute drive west and is the family day out; the coves nearer town — Sugary, Compass — are small, shingly and reached down steep steps, which makes them swimming spots for the able-bodied rather than beach days. Plan around the river and treat the beach as a separate trip.
Listings last checked: September 2026
The family beach for Dartmouth, fifteen minutes west — a sheltered blue-flag bay with lifeguards, kayak and paddleboard hire, a café, restaurant, showers and a boardwalk down to the water. It is fine shingle, not sand, so bring beach shoes and warn any toddlers. Paid parking, and it fills.
The long pebble beach at the Slapton end, big enough that it never feels crowded, with clear water and seals seen close in. No lifeguards and the beach shelves steeply, so it is not one for children to swim from. There is a signed naturist section to the left of the toilet block.
A small shingle cove three minutes' walk from Dartmouth Castle, or half an hour on foot from town. Warm, clear water for an afternoon swim, and it goes into shade early. Uneven underfoot getting in and out — worth taking care.
The hidden one, off the coast path south of the castle, down a long flight of wooden steps. Clear water, no rocks underfoot, no facilities of any kind. Steep and remote enough that it is a walk with a swim at the end rather than a beach trip.
Part medieval, part Victorian fort guarding the mouth of the Dart, with a gun battery dating to the 1300s, St Petrox church alongside and long views out to sea. Best approached by the little ferry from town rather than the narrow road. Lots of steps — not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
The twin fort on the opposite shore — worth knowing that it is a Landmark Trust holiday let, not an attraction you can visit, and the grounds are private. Photograph it from the water or from Dartmouth Castle; do not plan a trip around going inside.
The protected coast and countryside around the Dart — the coast path east towards Brixham and west past Blackpool Sands, with secluded bays along the way. Some stretches are challenging and toilets are scarce, so plan the stops.
The Dartmouth institution — open from seven, covered courtyard, excellent breakfasts and brunch, strong vegan and vegetarian options and famously dog friendly. It is small and it queues, which is the price of it being this good.
Small, warm café on Lower Street with one of the best gluten-free menus on this coast — a full separate range rather than one option — plus crab sandwiches and alternative milks. Dog friendly. Closed Wednesdays.
A tiny coffee shop off the main streets, and the best coffee in Dartmouth on most accounts — fresh toasties, almond croissants, everything traceable to where it came from. Genuinely small: not suitable for pushchairs or walking frames. Closed Wednesdays and Sundays.
A big, characterful room on Foss Street with a wood burner upstairs, doing burgers, pizzas and cocktails in a relaxed setting that suits all ages. Dog friendly with plenty of seating inside and out. Opens at three most days and closed Sundays.
The oldest building in Dartmouth and the most characterful pub in it — real ales, a small upstairs restaurant doing seafood platters and proper puddings, and about seven tables in total. Charming rather than practical: too tight for pushchairs.
Recently refurbished quayside hotel and gastropub, done sympathetically rather than gutted, with an upstairs restaurant and window tables over the harbour. High chairs available. The smarter option in town without being stiff about it.
Lower Street pub with a river view, sensible prices and a menu that goes beyond standard pub food — pizzas, Tex-Mex nights, a good Sunday lunch. Well-informed about gluten-free, and they will fry chips separately if you ask. Steep stairs to the toilets.
Riverside pub by the higher ferry, a short walk out of the centre, known for its Sunday roast and a long list of specials. Book online — it fills, and there are only three parking spaces outside.