A day in Dartmouth: where to eat, drink, shop and explore
We might be a bit biased, but we reckon that Dartmouth is just about the most charming little town in the whole of the South West. Famous for its long maritime history (and still the home of the prestigious naval college), Dartmouth remains a town anchored by the water, standing watch over the river Dart as it meets the English Channel.
Today, its warren of ancient streets are home to some of the finest dining, drinking and shopping in the area, and the harbour is the gateway to a whole host of adventures up and down the river Dart.
Here are just a few of our favourite things to discover in Dartmouth…
Eating and Drinking
The whole of the South Hams is increasingly becoming known as something as a foodie hotspot, and Dartmouth is no exception. Sure to be a hit with the whole family is Rockfish, seafood legend Mitch Tonks’s absolutely fabulous fish and chip and seafood restaurant right on the riverfront. With everything caught fresh each day by their boat ‘Rockfisher’, their motto is ‘tomorrow’s fish are still in the sea’.
For a coffee, smoothies or lunch, we love Bula Devon, while Cafe Alf Resco is our go to for a fun-filled brunch. When the sun goes down, we love heading to The Sail Loft’s stylish bar and kitchen, or cosying up in one of Dartmouth’s ancient maritime inns. For a special occasion, it’s got to be The Seahorse: another of Mitch Tonks’s award-winning seafood institutions. Make sure you make time for an aperitif in Joe’s Bar!
Shopping
Fashion, homeware, art, gin, jewellery - Dartmouth has it all. Make sure you make some time to wander through the boutiques and galleries of gorgeous Foss Street (we always stop in at Browser Books and Simon Drew’s wonderfully eccentric gallery!) and explore Dartmouth’s historic Old Market, now home to a whole variety of shops and cafes.
For homeware, drop into Distinctly Living and Mahalo Home, and for a special addition to the gallery wall try The Dart Gallery, Baxters Gallery and The Whistlefish Gallery for gorgeous prints, ceramics and original art, much of which is inspired by the local area.
Exploring (by foot, boat and steam train!)
Dartmouth is the starting point for all kinds of adventures for the whole family to enjoy: take a ferry or walk through the picturesque suburb of Warfleet to Dartmouth Castle (and take your swimming costume for a dip in nearby Sugary Cove!), or take a ferry upriver to explore the gorgeous village of Dittisham, and Agatha Christie’s summer home, Greenway.
Kids and grown ups alike will love ‘crabbing’ on the Embankment (a proper seaside tradition!), and getting the ferry across to nearby Kingswear to climb aboard the Dartmouth Steam Railway!
Happy holidays!
Studio Cottage x