



Explore a historic 16th-century fort overlooking Dartmouth's picturesque cove with free outdoor access to this English Heritage site.
Venue Type
Outdoor
Typical visit duration
1-3 hours
Booking
Walk-in
Little Tudor fort. Just down from the ferry crossing. Access via a few steps. Little plaque in the middle explaining the place.
Beautiful historical spot - we stumbled across it when walking along the Dartmouth harbour front - along the cobbled street (cute houses!). Lovely to see and take beautiful photos from.
This sturdy Tudor fort, built into the rock face at the far end of Bayard's Cove, is worth visiting to learn about its history, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the river views. It was built between 1522 and 1536 to defend the harbour against any enemy warships that managed to get past the cannon fire of Dartmouth and Kingswear Castles, and the iron chain stretched across the river that was capable of ripping a hole in the bottom of a ship. The fort is an English Heritage site, free to enter and open all year round. I accessed it from Lower Street, walking along the old stone quay. It's small inside, and now empty except for an interpretation board outlining the history, but the thick walls with their large gunports through which cannons were fired, and the view of the estuary through an archway, were well worth a look. The whole area is a delight to explore on foot, and there are numerous shops and eateries close by.
The fort itself is in great condition especially being by the ocean. We accessed it via the stairs from the upper road, which can be a bit hazardous in the rain but is also accessible directly on the lower road, although there are a few steps down either side to enter the fort. Parking nearby is mostly permits or ticketed. If you drive pass the busy town shops, you’ll reach parking area which has free parking (although council is planning to implement meters in early 2024). The walk from there is about 10 minutes. Great views no doubt. This is open to the public and no tickets are required.
Beautiful spot in Dartmouth, Devon. There are information boards placed around giving a history of the area. We were lucky to visit on a gorgeous sunny day. Plenty of bars and coffee shops in local area - we thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Dartmouth.
Reviews last updated: 29 September 2026
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This venue was last updated on 28 September 2026
