Motor Boat & Yachting — August 2017

Berry

Head

Scabbacombe

Head

Newfoundland

Cove

Slapton

Ley

Blackpool Sands

Hall Sands

Start Point

Skerries

Buoy

Hope’s

Nose

Greenway

House

Steam

Railway

River Dart

Ore

Stone

Mew Stone

Tor Bay

English

Channel

Start Bay

N

DEVON

Torquay

Torbay

Paignton

Goodrington

Dittisham

Dartmouth

Salcombe

Kingsbridge

Totnes

DEVON

CORNWALL

Penzance

Exeter

Swansea

Bristol Channel

Celtic
Sea

English Channel

nautical miles

0 1 2345

Blackpool Sands is a

peaceful, secluded bay

backed by lush woodland

This beautiful south Devon harbour was our home port for many

years. Strangers arriving between its two sturdy castles almost

gasp at the stunning hillsides suddenly revealed. Colourful houses

stack up from the river, softened by woods and rambling gardens.

Ahead, you see the gracious park and grand facade of Britannia

Royal Naval College, one of England’s fi nest maritime vistas.

The trick with a summer holiday in Dartmouth is to get your

boat down here well in advance, taking advantage of a calm

weekend. Dartmouth entrance lies about 85 nautical miles

from the Needles and you can conveniently break the passage

with a night in Weymouth or Portland.

Dartmouth has three marinas. Darthaven is just upstream from

the lower car ferries on the Kingswear shore, with an excellent

chandlery and lift-out facilities. Dart Marina is on the Dartmouth

side just above the Higher Ferry, a short stroll from town and

conveniently next to the Dart Marina Hotel, with its waterside

terrace and restaurant. Half a mile further upstream on the east

bank, Noss on Dart is a peaceful retreat in rural surroundings.

MARINA BOOKINGS

Contact Martin Pragnell at Darthaven, Tel: +44 (0)1803 752545,

Email: [email protected]; Les English at Dart Marina,

Tel: +44 (0)1803 837161 or 837156, Email: [email protected];

David Sharam at Noss on Dart Marina, Tel: +44 (0)1803 839087,

Email: [email protected]

LOCAL DAY CRUISES

AROUND START BAY This glorious coast has some splendid

anchorages for long summer days. Newfoundland Cove is just

outside Dartmouth and Scabbacombe is further east around

the craggy Mew Stone, only accessible by boat or keen walkers.

Blackpool Sands is an award-winning beach three miles west

of Dartmouth entrance, with the Venus Café ashore. Secluded

Redlap Cove lies between Dartmouth and Blackpool. In Start

Bay’s southern crook, you can anchor off Hallsands near the

cliffside ruins of a washed-away village.

CRUISING UP THE DART Two miles upriver there are visitors’

buoys in a picturesque bend near Dittisham, where a landing

pontoon leads to the Ferry Boat Inn and Anchorstone Café. Above

half fl ood, you can follow the channel another six miles inland to the

old river port of Totnes. The Dart winds past sleepy creeks, ancient

oaks and farms where Devon cattle graze. Just below Totnes, you

can lie alongside an east bank quay until the tide starts to ebb again.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

SEA KAYAK TRIPS The sheltered river, estuary and nearby

coastline are perfect for family kayak trips. Sea Kayak Devon

are based at Coronation Dinghy Park, just downstream from

Dart Marina. Beginners can enjoy a half-day taster session.

Contact Ben Brierley. Tel: +44 (0)1392 580535 or +44 (0)7766

228815. Web: http://www.seakayakdevon.co.uk

DARTMOUTH

1

TRAVEL