Dartmouth is a major tourist destination set on the banks of the estuary of the River Dart, which is a long narrow tidal ria that runs inland as far as Totnes. It lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Historically, Dartmouth was of great strategic importance as a deep-water port for sailing vessels. The port was used as the sailing point for the crusades of 1147 and 1190, and a creek close to Dartmouth Castle is still named for the vast fleets which assembled there (Warfleet Creek). It was a home of the English navy since the reign of Edward III and was twice surprised and sacked during the Hundred Years' War, after which the mouth of the estuary was closed every night with a great chain. The narrow mouth of the Dart is protected by two fortified castles, Dartmouth Castle and Kingswear Castle.

The town is dominated by the Royal Navy Officer Training college (Britannia Royal Naval College) and all officers of the Royal Navy, as well as many foreign navies, are trained there. The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta takes place annually over three days at the end of August.

No railway has ever run to Dartmouth, but the town does have a railway station, although it is now a restaurant. The original plans for the Dartmouth and Torbay Railway line took the line across a bridge and into the town. Opposition from local seamen and merchants saw the route diverted to Kingswear on the opposite side of the river, but this occurred after the station had been built at Dartmouth. The railway terminated at a station called "Kingswear for Dartmouth" (now on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway) and a ferry took passengers across the river to the station at Dartmouth, which had a dedicated pontoon. It is believed to be the only place in the world with a purpose built railway station which has never seen a train.

Key Stats

• There has been very little population growth since 1991 in the market town area. The population is around 5,700.
• Unemployment levels in the Dartmouth market town area are similar to both the district and county averages. However, the level of unemployment in the surrounding hinterland is noticeably lower.
• Claim rates for Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance in Dartmouth are noticeably lower than the national average.
• The number of households with an annual income of less than £20,000 is broadly similar to the district and county averages, although rates in Dartmouth parish are higher.
• The percentage of employment by industry sector of those living in the market town area highlights the main sectors of employment are wholesale & retail and hotels & catering. This represents around 30% of employment in the market town area.
• Children living in areas other than Dartmouth parish achieve significantly higher results at Key Stage 2 than those that live in the parish and are higher than average compared to the district, county and national figures. Conversely the children living in Dartmouth parish have much lower results compared to same areas.
• Achievement rates for GCSEs at grades A* to C were also better for children living outside of Dartmouth parish although the percentage of children achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to G were similar across the market town area.
• Select here for more statistics about Dartmouth and surrounding area. (865KB - pdf help)