Dartmouth Castle
Devon, England
Photo: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Michael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- English Heritage
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- English Heritage Overseas Visitor Pass
- Nearest station
- Paignton, 6.4 miles (straight-line)
Pinpoint
Castle Rd, Dartmouth TQ6 0JN
Telephone 0370 333 1181
Opening Hours
Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
Open daily, 10am - 5pm (last entry at 4.30pm)
Checked against the official page on 13 August 2026.
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- A local road closure is in place near the castle; alternative routes are available.
- Facilities
- On-site shop.
Guarding the mouth of the Dart alongside its twin across the water at Kingswear, this English Heritage fort saw active military service as recently as the Second World War. It's a fully staffed, intact site with sweeping views along the river, reached by a pleasant walk out from the town centre with a cafe waiting at the far end.
At a glance
Worth the trip
The view up the Dart estuary from the gun battery, framed by its sister fortification on the opposite bank.
Before you go
The council-run car park machines are reportedly unreliable - reviewers suggest paying online in advance, though note it can cost more that way. It's a proper walk from town, so budget time either way.
What visitors say
Dartmouth Castle reviews · 4.5 / 5 across 2,862 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Dartmouth Castle's riverside setting and history spanning from the 14th century to WW2, with several recommending arriving by boat for the best views.
Limited on-site parking comes up repeatedly, including one mention of malfunctioning payment machines at the council-run car park, so visitors are advised to plan their journey accordingly.
“The views are fantastic and the castle has a lovely cafe. The car park is run by the council and the machines don’t work and online you need to pay more.”- Kerstin Simson, visitor review
Walks at Dartmouth Castle
Dartmouth Castle is on our walks roll because a visitor described a walk here in their own review:
“Lovely walk around headland and picked up coastal footpath.”- Pat Jones, visitor review
Also worth knowing: dogs are reported welcome.
Comparing options? See every UK castle with a walk visitors describe.
One visitor's account, not a route guide. We hold no distances, waymarks or start points. For the actual route, check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map before you set out, and treat coastal and clifftop paths as weather- and tide-dependent.
History
John Hawley (authorized by Richard II) · 1388
Constructed in the 1380s to defend the harbour against French naval threats, this fortification began as a simple enclosure with catapults. In 1481–1495 a new artillery tower was added, representing one of Britain's earliest purpose-built coastal gun emplacements. The castle saw action during the English Civil War and was upgraded multiple times through the 18th and 19th centuries, serving again in the Second World War before retiring to heritage use.
Adapted from this castle's Wikipedia article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Parking
- “The car park is run by the council and the machines don’t work and online you need to pay more.” - Kerstin Simson
- Facilities
- “A good walk down the River Dart from the town centre you can refresh and refill yourself at the welcoming cafe.” - Nigel Huxtable
Common questions about Dartmouth Castle
Where is Dartmouth Castle?
Dartmouth Castle is in Devon, England, at Castle Rd, Dartmouth TQ6 0JN.
Do you need a ticket to visit Dartmouth Castle?
Yes - Dartmouth Castle is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by English Heritage. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
Is Dartmouth Castle dog-friendly?
Visitor reviews suggest dogs are welcome at Dartmouth Castle - one reviewer noted: “…shop, independent tearoom and toilets. Dogs on leads are welcome. Interactive displays will help keep younger visitors engag…”. Policies can vary between parts of a site and change over time, so confirm with the operator before visiting with a dog.
Are there walks at Dartmouth Castle?
Visitor reviews describe walking here - one reviewer wrote: “Lovely walk around headland and picked up coastal footpath.”. That is one visitor's account rather than a route guide, so check the operator's own site and an Ordnance Survey map for distances, paths and start points before setting out.
What is the highlight of visiting Dartmouth Castle?
The view up the Dart estuary from the gun battery, framed by its sister fortification on the opposite bank.
