Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth, Devon
Dartmouth Castle is over 600 years old and was built to guard the narrow entrance to the Dart estuary and to protect the port of Dartmouth. The commanding sea views and the gun towers fitted with heavy cannons made this fortress well prepared in the advent of enemy approach.
Fascinating stuff and if history is one of your things, make sure you go and visit the castle when you’re on your family holidays in Devon. If the weather’s nice catch a boat trip from the town quay and alight just outside the castle; go for a walk around the clifftops and the woodlands, make a day of it.
Inside the castle is where it gets exciting and it’s easy to imagine what it was like for the men who worked here whose job it was to defend the town. Go up the 4 floors to the battlements and you’ll be astounded at the views, see the weapons in the gun tower where you can try on helmets and get your hands on a cannon ball. On the lower floor you can see the enormous iron chain that stretched across the harbour stopping ships in their tracks, and you can explore the dimly lit passages where ammunition was stored.
Round off your trip to Dartmouth Castle with a Devon cream tea in the Tearoom and a stop at the gift shop to buy a souvenir.
Opening times change throughout the year so check the website before you plan your visit.
T: 0370 333 1181 All information correct at the time of writing