Dartmouth is set in a picture book location, on the picturesque River Dart, with steep wooded hillsides on either side. Dartmouth's main Embankment runs along the length of the town, from the New Quay - built on reclaimed land towards the historic Bayard's Cove. The Embankment provides visitors with a pleasant and relaxing promenade to stroll down - admiring the sights of the busy estuary or to select from the many boat trips that depart from the waters edge.

The main road never reach down into Dartmouth, protecting the character of the town and helping to retain the historic atmosphere of Dartmouth's narrow streets and buildings. Dartmouth's oldest building, The Cherub Pub ( c1380), in Higher Street, and Agincourt House at Lower Ferry, are both examples of 14th century buildings that have survived in the town.

Dartmouth offers the visitor a stunning array of bistros, restaurants, boutiques and specialist shops. All lining Dartmouth's narrow streets with their long flights of winding steps and intriguing medieval buildings.

The Butterwalk, with its timber framed arcade was built in 1635-40. This impressive façade was damaged by bombs during 1943, but it has now been fully restored.

Two impressive Castles have maintained a guard at the mouth of the River Dart for centuries. Dartmouth Castle, built in 1481, featured many state-of-the-art defences. It was the first Castle in the country to be constructed specifically for artillery.

Dartmouth Castle along with Kingswear Castle, on the opposite bank of the river, afforded this deep water anchorage even greater protection by having a heavy chain strung between them in times of war - protecting the ships at anchor and the homes and warehouses of Dartmouth's merchant community.

The Inventor of the Steam Pumping Engine, Thomas Newcomen, was born in Dartmouth in 1663. A working example of one of his engines can be seen in the Engine House.