Historic and picturesque, Dartmouth is an old naval town in a wonderful spot at the mouth of the River Dart. It’s still a working town, with Britain’s largest naval college and all sorts of boating activity going on, but it’s pleasantly stuck in a time warp of steam trains, chintzy cafes, and pretty flower boxes, which are all to please the town’s numerous visitors. The fancy yachts in the harbour yield up immaculately dressed luncheon guests, and you can expect ice creams in all sorts of dairy-free configurations, as well as a myriad of flavours and colours. The best places to stay in Dartmouth are as varied as the visitors ranging from postcard-perfect stone cottage B&Bs, to top of the range spa hotels.

Dartmouth’s smart holiday crowds ensure the pretty cobbled streets are lined with interesting shops, and the market place is regularly stocked with local produce — including local wines, gins and ales. The town also has a number of very nice restaurants and a small arts centre. It’s also ideal for a family holiday. There’s a beautiful sandy beach, Blackpool Sands, just a short drive along the coastline; the wonderful Dartmouth Steam Railway; the atmospheric ruins of Dartmouth Castle and fort; the Naval College Museum; the boat trips and ferries; and a number of National Trust properties, including Agatha Christie’s house, Greenway, at Brixham.

The best places to stay in Dartmouth may also make a great base if you’re exploring further afield. As well as Blackpool Sands there are beaches at Bigbury on Sea, Thurlestone Beach and South Milton Sands, and easy access to the South Coast Path for lovely walking. It's heaven for sailors here, but there’s plenty for kayakers and surfers too.

The Best Places to Stay in Dartmouth

For Waterviews

• The Dart Marina Hotel is right on Dartmouth’s buzzing river harbour, with great views of the water and all the comings and goings on it. As well as the rooms in the hotel there are self-catering apartments, which are ideal for families, and there are designated family-friendly hours in the excellent pool. The spa menu is impressive, and there’s a sauna and steam room.
• The Royal Castle Hotel enjoys a plum location overlooking the harbour, across the boats and ferries to Kingswear. This is a charmingly traditional hotel, with 24 rooms and suites decorated with antique furniture, chandeliers, and patterned fabrics and wallpapers. The pub is warm and welcoming, the cafe cheerful, and The Grill Room restaurant boasts an AA Rosette.

For Families

• The Dittisham Hideaway Treehouses and Shepherd’s Lodges is a magical collection of unusual accommodation options in a quiet, leafy spot just five minutes from the River Dart. All in all there are five treehouses, five Shepherd’s lodges, and an original Airstream caravan. Each has been well thought out, with the right blend of comfort and luxury — as well as wood-burning stoves, some of the treehouses have outdoor wood fired hot tubs. All have an outdoor deck with a hammock, plus a collection of games and other entertainments. Some of the treehouses and shepherd’s lodges are dog friendly.
• Small and historic, with Tudor beams inside and out, Bayards Cove Inn is a great pick for families who want to stay in Dartmouth proper. Two of the seven rooms are set up for families, with plenty of space and beds for four. The hotel also does a great turn at a children’s menu in its restaurant and cafe, and they’ve a good collection of toys and games to share.

Best B&Bs

• Kaywana Hall is a modernist, architect-designed house built above the river Dart. The three bedrooms each have their own front doors, private terraces, fluffy robes, iPod docking stations — in fact most of the accoutrements you would expect from a luxury hotel. On a sunny day you can simply kick back by the outdoor pool and imagine you’re in California.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Cottage?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• If you’re trying to get to Dartmouth via plane the closest airport is Bristol Airport, which is about two hours away by car or taxi, or about three hours by public transport. If you’re travelling via London by train the trains depart from Paddington, then it’s a two and three quarter hour journey to Totnes. Dartmouth’s beautiful old station is just for the steam trains these days!
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Dartmouth, like the rest of Devon, is busiest in the spring and summer months, when people are more inclined to feel drawn towards the coastline. But there’s plenty to do in Dartmouth year round, with the steam railway running through the school holidays, and the numerous National Trust properties. Whenever you plan to visit there’s a decent chance you’ll see some rain — with more wet days in autumn and winter — so it’s definitely worth packing your waterproof gear, even if you’re visiting in the height of summer. The Dartmouth Royal Regatta takes place over three days at the end of August, and that’s when the town is at its busiest.

Still not sure where to stay?

• Expand your search to include our Gurus’ recommendations for all of the best places to stay in Devon
• Consider our recommendations for the best hotels in Dartmoor National Park
• Refine your search by the type of accommodation you’re looking for: the best country house hotels in Devon, the best pubs-with-rooms in Devon or Devon’s best seaside hotels
• Consider some of Dartmouth’s pretty neighbours Salcombe or Torquay
• Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.