KINGSWEAR

Kingswear is like a less famous little sister to Dartmouth, with a similar vista of colourful houses climbing up the hill from the bank of the Dart. The main reason for people visiting Kingswear is the heritage railway which goes from here to Paignton, the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway. Kingswear also has its own castle, with a blockhouse built by Henry VIII. The castle acts as a mirror to its better known counterpart in Dartmouth, but with an equally important past as a defender of the mouth of the river. Both castles fell during the English Civil War. Kingswear is accessible from Dartmouth by ferry.

If you are feeling rich, you can book a stay at Kingswear Castle through the Landmark Trust, but you will have to be prepared to part with over a thousand pounds for the privilege. However, for those who can afford it, this would make a wonderful base for exploring the area, whether by the heritage railway, by boat or by walking along the South West Coastal Path.

Map of the area.

Kingswear Castle from southwest. Photo by Nilfanion, via Wikimedia Commons.