Father’s Day is a great excuse to get out and explore Dartmouth, not only are there great footpaths and beaches to be explored, but there’s also a lot of fab pubs, restaurants and bars where you can treat dad to a dinner and a pint! If you’re looking for inspiration, you’re in the right place! Here’s a list of all the things you can do in Dartmouth on Father’s Day.
Enjoy a pint and a bite to eat!
If dad is a total foodie, treating him to a nice lunch or dinner is one way to show your appreciation for him. If you’re looking for a cosy pub atmosphere, there’s plenty to choose from. The Dartmouth Arms have a wide and varied menu to choose from, plus a great selection of wine, real ales and ciders to wash it down with. The Ship in Dock Inn is another fab option, they offer a great, reasonably priced Sunday lunch menu, costing just £18.25 for a main and a desert! If your dad is a big seafood fan, Platform 1 serve a wide selection of fresh local fish, including monkfish, scampi and muscles. We all know that sharing is caring, so you could even split their seafood, ploughman’s, or vegetarian platter. There are plenty of other excellent eateries in Dartmouth so head over to our Food and Drink page to discover more!
Do something active!
Dartmouth is known for its watersports, so if you’re a family who love to stay active, you’ll certainly get your adrenalin-filled fix here! You could try your hand at paddle boarding with The Paddle Shack, or kayak around the stunning Dart Estuary and bay with Sea Kayak Devon. If you’re looking for something low cost, you can spend some quality time together exploring the many beaches, coves and coastal paths that Dartmouth and the surrounding area, have to offer. As Dartmouth sits on the South West Coast Path, there’s plenty of great walks –, short and long you can take together. You could venture out to Blackpool Sands, or Torcross, or, keep it more local by visiting Little Dartmouth and Dartmouth Castle. Perhaps stop and treat dad to an ice cream, lots of beachside cafes and shops within the town centre will sell our the legendary Dartmouth Ice Cream! Check out more activities in Dartmouth here.
Spend the day at Greenway Estate
Lots of Dad’s love reading, many will remember reading the Agatha Christie novels as a child, perhaps passed down from their parents. If your dad is one of these book worms, spending the day exploring Agatha Christie’s humble abode will certainly strike his interest! Greenway House is the beautiful estate, owned by the National Trust, where the iconic crime writer would spend her holidays relaxing by the river or imagining her next mystery book in the library! The house is filled with a lovely collection of books and silverware wear once owned by Agatha herself, and in the garden, the woodlands trail all the way down to the river.
Visit Coleton Fishacre House & Gardens
Books may not be your dad’s thing, but jazz might! Travel back in time to the Jazz Age with a visit to Coleton Fishacre House and Gardens, which was originally owned by the D’Oyly Cart family, and is now owned by the National Trust. The art-deco house is instilled with elegance and grace, you can almost imagine the roaring twenties parties that would have occurred here as socialite Rupert D’Oyly Cart was a hotelier, theatre owner, and best known as the proprietor of the D’Olyl Carte Opera Company. There are also plenty of walks you can take with captivating views of the coast and hidden coves, such as the 125th anniversary walk, a short 1.25km meander through woodlands, meadows and along the rugged coastline. They also have a lovely café, the perfect place to grab a light bite to eat, or a cup of coffee.
Take in some history
Perhaps your dad is one of those who loves watching history programmes or old war films. Simply taking a walk around Dartmouth may excite the retrophiliac in him! Dartmouth is steeped in history and this can be seen throughout the town’s unique architecture and characterful streets. From the medieval Dartmouth Castle at the mouth of the River Dart, to the iconic Britannia Royal Naval College that overlooks the whole town, there’s plenty of history and heritage to be explored. Discover more about the history and heritage attractions of Dartmouth here.
Get your thinking caps on!
Escape rooms are a great way to spend some quality time together as it involves lots of teamwork! You’ll absolutely need to communicate to solve puzzles, beat the clock and escape before the 60-minute timer runs out. HQ Escape Rooms are suitable for children ages 9+, and what’s more, they’re even dog friendly so the whole family can enjoy some time together and create some long-lasting memories!
If you’re staying in Dartmouth for Father’s Day, let us know what you’re up to on Twitter! You can also stay up to date with all things Dartmouth by following us on Facebook and Instagram!
