Central to any visit to South Hams is the historic and beautiful River Dart. Located just down the road from Galmpton Touring Park, the river offers a wealth of different activities to try out, from leisurely cruises to adventurous coasteering. We’ve picked out a few highlights to help you make the most of your trip to the south coast.
If you’re looking forward to a relaxing time in the sun, make sure you take advantage of one of the many opportunities for boating. If you’re after a luxurious – but still totally unique – experience, then the Kingswear Castle is just the ticket. This 1924 coal-fired paddle steamer is the only vessel of its kind in the UK and is part of the National Historic Fleet. The Kingswear Castle offers a range of dog-friendly trips, including cruises back and forth between Totnes and Dartmouth, as well as more recreational circular cruises around the River Dart.
Alternatively, you can take in the scenery from the banks of the Dart as well as the river itself, on the Dartmouth Steam Railway which offers a vintage steam train, bus and steamboat river cruise all in one package. The ‘Round Robin’ ticket gives you the opportunity to take in the picturesque beauty of the area and visit a variety of different attractions.
Or, for the explorer in you, why not take a completely different view of the Dart and dive below? The river plays host to a range of diving charters for those who prefer to explore Devon’s depths. Companies like Falcon Diving Charters operate around the Dart estuary and with their boat, the Flacon II, offer the chance to explore the wrecks, reefs and rocks of the South Coast. Falcon Diving offer a range of diving sites, including southern Lyme Bay, Start Bay and Bolt Tail. As well as leisure diving, they also offer coastal explorations, wildlife tours and commercial diving operations.
Coming back to the surface, but offering no less in the way of excitement, are the coasteering excursions offered by Reach Outdoors. Based in Torbay, Reach Outdoors give budding coasteers the opportunity to scramble, jump, climb and swim their way around Devon’s South Coast. This challenging new coastal pastime is becoming one of the UK’s most popular extreme sports and offers a fantastic opportunity to see England’s coastline from an entirely new perspective. Reach Outdoors tailors their excursions to suit the whole group, meaning no one gets left out and the whole family can get involved and try something new.
A good meal is important when you’ve had a busy day and the bank-side eateries of the River Dart offer great food in spades. The Ship Inn in Kingswear is a 15th century pub and restaurant that features stunning views towards Dartmouth. A CAMRA and Cask Marque award winner, the Ship Inn is hugely popular with locals and visitors alike and often features live music.
Or if you want to grab a bite on your way back, just over the water from Galmpton Touring Park is the Anchorstone Café in Dittisham, boasting to be the only true riverside café in South Hams. The Anchorstone Café offers some of the best in local produce with great seafood and a quality selection of wine. The Anchorstone Café is a must for those who want to enjoy the best view and great food without having to go too far from the park.
These are just some of the great experience that the River Dart has to offer, so why not take the opportunity to enjoy them all? With it’s central location, Galmpton Touring Park is perfectly suited to be your hub for a South Coast holiday you’ll never forget!
