ROUTE PLAN No.4 The Dart Estuary, Devon
Introduction
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The Dart, as its name suggests, begins way up on Dartmoor. In fact the catchment area is huge and the East and west Dart finally meet above Buckfastleigh. From there it winds its way through truly wonderful scenery before joing the sea at Dartmouth. |
This particular trip takes in the tidal stretch of the Dart below Totnes as this trip doesn't require any extraordinary booking procedures like the Dart upriver.
The particular attraction of this canoe touring area is the beautiful wooded valleys hiding a number of inlets and creeks that can be explored all along the estuary. Some are isolated and secluded picnic spots and others are popular with holiday makers and have lovely pubs right by the waterside.
Maps
Ordnance Survey Landranger 202 (1:50,000)
See a Google Map of the route
Access Points
The best access point is the rowing club on the east bank in the town centre.
Journey
It is important to time your journey with the tide as it can travel up to 7knots. High tide at Dartmouth is about 5 hours before Dover and up river at Totnes is about one hour after that. If you've timed it right the tide will take you easily away from Totnes and about 3 miles down river you will pass by the beautiful Sharpham house on the west bank.
Next you will come to Bow Creek which you can paddle up as far as the Maltsters Arms in Tuckenhay. If the tide allows you can get further then try for the Watermans Arms at Bow Bridge where Harbourne River meets the estuary.
Back out on the main river head down stream another mile and a bit to Stoke Reach which leads,on the north bank, up to village of Stoke Gabriel with pubs and shops.
The river then puts in a sharp bend, turns south and narrows between Dittisham and Greenway Quay. The Ferry Boat Inn is a very popular pub right on the water at Dittisham. Aparrently teh Quay owner at Greenway quay tries to get you to pay a landing fee if you try and exit there.
After Noss Creek on the East bank you come to the imposing Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth overlooking the river.
The river is very busy down here and beyond Dartmouth and Kingswear you are out to sea with little but coastal cliffs to help you so its best to get out at one of these two towns once you've been far enough to see Dartmouth castle guarding the mouth of the river. You can stand easy and wait for the tide to turn for your return voyage or you can get a bus back to Totnes if you left your car there. Or you can get the steam train back to Paignton from Kingswear.(Paignton to Totnes by train is only 30 minutes so this would make a superb round trip).
Tides
The tides are very strong in the Dart and need special care and awareness.
Totnes high tide Dover+3
Dartmouth high tide Dover+4
Other
Dartmouth Castle is English heritage
There are toilets at the car park in Totnes GR 808597.
There is a campsite just up from Galmpton Creek.
