Guest Blog Post
Dartmouth is one of the most scenic corners of the UK. The historic harbour town sits along the River Dart and is surrounded by beautiful countryside, charming villages, and a spectacular coastline. You’ll naturally want to spend as much time as you can exploring the area.
One of the best ways to do this is to take day trips into South Devon and Cornwall. This will expose you to everything from peaceful riverside towns and dramatic moorland landscapes to quintessential fishing villages and quiet countryside retreats.
Within a 2-hour drive of Dartmouth, there are plenty of fantastic places you can visit. In this post, we’ve highlighted seven destinations we think you should pencil into your itinerary.
What Makes Dartmouth the Perfect Base for Exploring South Devon?
Dartmouth sits in a brilliant location on the South Devon coast. It also offers easy road access to many nearby destinations. This makes it a great base for travellers to explore the wider South West region.
Given the area’s nature and landscape, driving is often the easiest way to reach many of its scenic estuaries, historic villages, coastal paths, and beautiful beaches. That is why many tourists organise a hire car during their stay. Navigating the roads between towns forms part of the traveller’s experience of coming here.
If this is something you intend to do, it’s worth considering car hire excess insurance. This may help you to avoid unexpected costs during your trip.
Best Day Trips from Dartmouth in South Devon
South Devon is filled with charming towns and landscapes that feel like they belong on a postcard. Many of these destinations can be reached within an hour’s drive of Dartmouth. Therefore, you can easily visit one or more of them on your trip.
Salcombe
One of the most popular places to visit near Dartmouth is Salcombe. This stunning harbour town is known for its turquoise waters and sandy beaches. You may well have seen it pop up on your laptop screensaver!
It is located roughly an hour’s drive from Dartmouth. The journey takes you through rolling countryside and scenic coastal roads that will certainly keep you entertained. Salcombe itself is famous for sailing. It is also known for its waterfront restaurants and boutique shops that line the town’s narrow streets.
Many visitors spend their day wandering along the harbour. Grabbing fish and chips near the water. Or catching a small ferry across the estuary to nearby beaches. If your idea of a good time is coastal scenery and relaxed seaside vibes, then you’ll love coming here.
Totnes
Totnes is about 30 minutes from Dartmouth and has a completely different feel from other nearby coastal towns. The historic town lies along the River Dart and is predominantly known for its independent shops and lively market scene.
One of the best things to do here is walk up the hill to Totnes Castle. It dates back to the 14th Century and offers great views across the surrounding countryside. From there, the town’s main street provides plenty of cafes, bookstores, and artisan shops to explore.
Kingsbridge
Kingsbridge sits along a quiet estuary about 40 minutes from Dartmouth. The town here has a relaxed atmosphere with colourful boats lining the water and small shops scattered along its streets.
Most people who come here spend their time strolling along the estuary paths. Browsing the town’s weekly markets. Enjoying lunch in one of the waterside cafes. It is a peaceful place with delightful scenery and small-town charm. Well worth spending a few hours here.
Dartmoor National Park
For travellers who want a break from the coast, Dartmoor offers a completely different landscape. This vast national park sits just over an hour from Dartmouth. It features wide-open moorland, ancient stone circles, and rugged walking trails, which have inspired countless writers over the years. They include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (The Hound of the Baskervilles), Agatha Christie (The Sittaford Mystery), and Sabine Baring-Gould (Book of Dartmoor).
If you come here, make a point of exploring historic villages such as Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Its church is affectionately referred to as the “Cathedral of the Moors” due to its size and tall tower. You should also head out onto the moor itself to experience the wide-open scenery, check out historic ruins, and take in dramatic viewpoints.
Best Day Trips from Dartmouth to Cornwall
Cornwall sits just across the county border from Dartmouth and offers plenty of exciting day trip options of its own. The following fishing villages and coastal towns deliver some of the most picturesque scenery in the UK. Therefore, if time permits, make the effort to head over to them.
Looe
Looe is one of the most charming places to visit in Cornwall. And it is within easy driving distance of Dartmouth. The town sits along a sheltered harbour and is divided by the River Looe into two areas. East Looe and West Looe.
Visitors often spend their day wandering through narrow streets. Watching fishing boats come and go. Or enjoying fresh seafood near the waterfront. The nearby beach is also a nice place to sit and relax for a while.
Polperro
You would be forgiven for thinking you have stepped back in time when you arrive in Polperro. This tiny village is known for its steep, narrow streets and tightly packed, smuggler-style cottages.
The popular, traffic-free tourist destination regularly appears on lists of the most beautiful coastal towns in Cornwall to visit. It has a sheltered, rocky harbour, independent shops, and maritime history. The town also boasts stunning coastal scenery.
You can spend hours here exploring the winding lanes. Taking photos of the scenic harbour. Walking sections of the South West Coast Path. The scenery here captures the spirit of Cornwall perfectly. It is worth spending as much time as you can in the area.
Fowey
Fowey sits further along the Cornish coast and offers one of the most scenic harbours in the region. The town rises along steep hills overlooking the Fowey Estuary. This creates fantastic views across the water.
Writers and artists have long been drawn to Fowey. Most notably, the famous author Daphne du Maurier. Visitors can wander through narrow streets. Explore small galleries. And watch boats glide through the harbour. It is also a lovely spot to see the sunset.
” Sposnored”
