Travel to the Highlights of Devon in UK
Plan a Vacation in Historic Dartmouth and Totnes in England
Aug 4, 2008
The chocolate-box town of Dartmouth was a once-famous Elizabethan port where Raleigh and other explorers set sail for Newfoundland, the Spanish Main and other far-flung spots.
In 1620, the Pilgrim Fathers finally left English shores from Dartmouth for America. It’s a place that’s long had an association with the sea, and indeed the British Royal Navy.
Towering above the harbour and today’s town is the hugely impressive Britannia Royal Naval College where today’s British Naval Officers are put through their rigorous training. Royal connections are plentiful: no less than Prince William has been drilled there this summer, following in his father’s footsteps. And it was at this Royal Naval College where William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, first set eyes on Prince Philip as a young Officer Cadet.
Visitors to Dartmouth can enjoy a guided tour of Britannia from Easter to October for £12.25 or US$25.50. Given the amazing history and treasures of this working establishment, it’s well worth doing.
The town of Dartmouth boasts many 16th and 17th Century timbered buildings, narrow streets and an abundance of smart shops and stylish restaurants.
THE place to stay is the charming Royal Castle Hotel (tel 01803 833033), situated at 11 The Quay. It started life as two merchant houses in the 1630s and was extensively added to in Victorian times. 25 bedrooms, many with four poster beds. Rooms from UK £95 or US$182.
Crime writer Agatha Christie has to be the town's most famous export. More than a dozen of her books have links with Devon.
In terms of places to eat in Dartmouth there are two contrasting outstanding contenders: One is the award-winning "New Angel Restaurant "at 2 South Embankment. The other is "The Dartmouth Apprentice’" housed in the former St Barnabus Church on Newcomen Road.
The former is a superb restaurant in modern French style where UK-famed Chef John Burton-Race works his magic. The excellent food is of Michelin standard and rooms are also available. Tel 44 1803 839425.
‘"The Apprentice" restaurant is an exciting new project where disadvantaged people work with, and are trained by professional staff to run a restaurant offering quality food at low cost. Top Italian Chef Clemente Marianna is the custodian of the cuisine, and all profits are ploughed back in to the ‘Training for Life’ charity - the organisation behind this enterprise. Open from 8am to 11pm, it offers a fine dining restaurant, Trattoria, bar and deli. Prices are reasonable and the experience is truly inspirational, in all ways. Tel 44 1803 837820.
Explore the environs and travel from Dartmouth to nearby Totnes and Paignton on the ‘Round Robin’ – a circular tour by river, steam train and riverlink bus. For just £15.25 or US$29.30, it’s an excellent day trip.
Totnes
Totnes is an ancient market town which covers a long hill sloping gently to the Dart Estuary. The busy narrow streets, dominated by the castle, are full of architectural and historic interests.
See the famous Arch - the main entrance to the Medieval town. Then take in the 11th century Norman Totnes Castle. The Guildhall is 16th century and still in use today as a civic building.
As a base you won’t improve on the impressive Royal Seven Stars Hotel. Located at The Plains. This 17th century Devon inn has comfortable bedrooms, atmospheric bars and good food. Rooms from £79 or US$151.70. Tel 01803 862125
Two good places to eat are the "Waterside Bistro" at The Plains, and "The Steam Packet Inn "on St Peters Quay. The Waterside has an excellent local Chef and the accent is on fresh, local English produce, creatively presented, while the Steampacket is in a river-location and serves good British pub food at competitive prices.
For more tourist information see www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk
For airline connections the carrier Flybe offer the best low cost flight connections to this part of the UK. Fly to Exeter from over 30 cities in the UK and Europe, with prices from only £29.99 or US$7.60.
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