Cottages in Dartmouth

Table of Contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a cottage in Dartmouth?
• Cottages in Dartmouth: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Dartmouth: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Dartmouth?

• Cottages for every group: From snug romantic getaways to six-sleeper family homes with gardens, Dartmouth's cottages suit any group, many just a short stroll from the harbour.
• Where to base yourself: Stay in the town centre for a car-free break, above town for sweeping estuary views, or near Blackpool Sands for a proper beach holiday.
• Top-rated stays: Guests rate Dartmouth cottages highly for comfort, cleanliness and waterfront locations, with several homes scoring a perfect 10.0+ over the past year.
• Where to eat: The town punches above its weight, from The Seahorse's charcoal-grilled seafood to candlelit pub dinners at The Cherub Inn.
• Things to do: Explore Dartmouth Castle, relax on Blackpool Sands and take to the River Dart by kayak, steam train or river cruise.

Cottages in Dartmouth range from snug two-person boltholes tucked along cobbled lanes to roomy six-sleeper homes with gardens and harbour views, so couples and families are equally well served. Many sit within a short stroll of the waterfront, while others nestle in the green hills above the River Dart. If a cottage isn't quite right, you'll also find holiday homes in Dartmouth, cosy B&Bs in Dartmouth and even glamping near Dartmouth for a more outdoorsy stay. Whichever you choose, expect thoughtful touches that make a Devon holiday effortless:

• Wi-Fi throughout, handy for planning day trips or the odd spot of remote working
• Private gardens, terraces or balconies for an alfresco Devon cream tea
• Pet-friendly options, so even four-legged family members can come along
• Well-equipped kitchens for cooking up the day's catch from the harbour
• Parking or permits close by, a real bonus in the narrow streets

With nightly prices starting from around £25 and discounts of up to 54%, there's a Dartmouth cottage to suit every budget.

What are the best areas to stay in Dartmouth?

The best base depends on your plans: most visitors love being near the waterfront, while the hills above town reward you with sweeping estuary views. You'll find holiday lettings across Dartmouth in every pocket of the town. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently praise Dartmouth cottages for their comfort, spotless interiors and unbeatable locations close to the water. Hosts earn especially warm words for thoughtful welcome touches and local tips that turn a good holiday into a memorable one, and ratings sit high across the board, with many homes scoring a perfect 10.0 over the past year.

Here are our top-rated cottages from the past year:

1. The Mews Apt 1 Newcomen Road - 10.0: A charming bolthole on historic Newcomen Road, moments from the quay, praised for its cosy feel and superb central Dartmouth location.
2. 13 Above Town - 10.0: A roomy six-sleeper with a sunny yard and far-reaching rooftop views, ideal for families wanting space near the centre.
3. Silver Cottage - 10.0: A snug two-person retreat loved by couples for its peaceful setting and easy stroll down to the harbourfront.

Dartmouth sits on the west bank of the River Dart in the South Hams of Devon, in south-west England, where a deep natural harbour meets a charming medieval maritime town. With centuries of maritime heritage, Elizabethan-era streets and a delightfully traditional harbour, Dartmouth is an excellent destination for anyone with an interest in history.

🥗Where to eat in Dartmouth?

Fresh fish and seafood are always on the menu in Dartmouth, whether you want a fine dining tasting menu built around locally-caught delights or good old-fashioned fish and chips overlooking the sea. Our travel experts have picked these five restaurants for particularly good meals:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Aisha and Ravi recommend The Cherub Inn in Dartmouth: this 14th-century timber-framed pub serves proper Devon comfort food, and its candlelit upstairs dining room is just the spot to relax over a plate of traditional grub after a slow day exploring the lanes.

1. Stand guard at Dartmouth Castle
2. Soak up the buzz of Dartmouth Harbour
3. Spend the day at Woodlands Family Theme Park
4. Dig into history at Dartmouth Museum
5. Unwind on Blackpool Sands
6. Take to the water with Sea Kayak Devon
7. Explore the Tudor Bayard's Cove Fort

1. Stand guard at Dartmouth Castle

   Perched on a rocky outcrop where the River Dart meets the sea, Dartmouth Castle may enjoy the most picturesque setting of any fortress in England. By the late 15th century it had become Britain's first purpose-built artillery fort, its cannons trained on enemy ships and a great iron chain once strung across the harbour to Kingswear at night. Today you can wander the gun decks and admire the neighbouring Church of St Petrox.

2. Soak up the buzz of Dartmouth Harbour

   The deep natural harbour is the beating heart of the town, with around 3,000 moorings and a working fishing fleet that lands crab and lobster through the autumn months. Warships still call in thanks to the nearby Britannia Royal Naval College, and the wooded hills on either bank lend the scene a real sense of theatre. Time your visit for late August and you'll catch the three-day Dartmouth Royal Regatta, with rowing races, air displays, fireworks and plenty of family fun.

3. Spend the day at Woodlands Family Theme Park

   Just eight kilometres from town, Woodlands Family Theme Park is Devon's largest and a brilliant day out whatever the weather. Spread over 90 acres, it packs in three of Devon's biggest roller coasters, a high-speed toboggan run and gentler rides through mature woodland. Younger visitors adore the zoo farm with its meerkats, llamas and alpacas, while the indoor play centre is the largest in the South West.

4. Dig into history at Dartmouth Museum

   Housed in a beautifully preserved 1640 merchant's house on the Butterwalk, the Dartmouth Museum tells the story of this seafaring town. Charles II sheltered here during a storm in 1671, and the displays celebrate famous locals such as Thomas Newcomen, inventor of the first practical steam engine. There's plenty of interactive, hands-on fun for the kids.

5. Unwind on Blackpool Sands

   A crescent of coarse golden sand framed by low green cliffs, Blackpool Sands looks almost Mediterranean. This Blue Flag beach is privately run, which means spotless facilities and an easygoing, stress-free feel. You can hire paddleboards and kayaks, swim out to the floating raft, or simply let the children loose on the sand before retreating to the organic café for lunch.

6. Take to the water with Sea Kayak Devon

   Dartmouth and the South Devon coast are best appreciated from the water. Sea Kayak Devon runs courses and guided excursions along the sheltered shoreline, while the Dartmouth Yacht Club offers sailing lessons for all levels. The calm, scenic Dart Estuary is ideal for paddleboarding. The more adventurous can even try wild swimming in the river.

7. Explore the Tudor Bayard's Cove Fort

   Tucked at a narrow point of the Dart, Bayard's Cove Fort is a small 16th-century artillery fort begun under Henry VIII to guard against attack from France or Spain. It formed a last line of defence behind the castles of Dartmouth and Kingswear, and later served as a machine-gun post in the Second World War. Today you can step where Tudor gunners stood, peer through the eleven cannon ports and take in the cobbled quay where the Pilgrim Fathers' ships once moored.