Overview

Dartmouth defended its harbour well in medieval times, a huge chain strung between Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear Castle on the other side kept out anything approaching from the sea. The Castle, built in 1481, was also the first to be constructed specifically for artillery and for nearly 500 years it kept its defences up-to-date. There is even a World War II pillbox, with crenelations for camouflage. Today the castle is in remarkably good repair, and a series of excellent exhibitions bring its history to life. Just up the River is Warfleet Creek, an ancient anchorage used at the time of the Armada and again in the Second World War.