Dartmouth

A mesh of narrow lanes, stairways and corridors, with plenty of medieval and Elizabethan streetscapes, make Dartmouth a must-see for anyone visiting this part of Devon. The town has a reputation for good food - with many fine restaurants, as well as arts, antiques and craft shops just about everywhere. If the shopping doesn't keep you fit, the leisure centre will.

The natural deep water harbour here has been the driving force behind the town's history as a port and military centre. It grew to prominence in the Middle Ages exporting cloth from Totnes, and importing wine from France and Spain. The Cherub Inn (1380) and The Butterwalk (1628) which includes the Dartmouth Museum, are two of the oldest surviving buildings, among a wealth of architectural interest. Dartmouth lost economic momentum when Plymouth was preferred as the base for a western naval defence force. The consolation prize though, when the navy "returned" in 1863, was the magnificent red brick Britannia Royal Naval College which opened in 1905 as a training base for naval officers. Tours of the college can be booked through the Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre.

Also well worth the effort is a visit to Bayards Cove - a cobbled medieval quay and 16th Century coastal defence tower; Dartmouth Castle (1488); and Gallants Bower - a civil war redoubt - above the castle. The Newcomen Memorial Engine (next to the Museum) and St Saviours Church, which has a most unusually carved south door, dated 1631.

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