Dartmouths narrow streets and ancient buildings bear witness to a long if not always glorious history, which saw the town develop from a fishing port in the early middle ages to a base for smugglers and privateers. Today, yachtsmen have replaced the privateers, and the licenses are strictly for the many taverns and restaurants.

The mild South Devon climate makes Dartmouth a year-round resort - often with excellent weather in February and March and golden autumn days in October and November. Many visitors who come for Christmas often stay on for the unique New Year festivities. With Christmas in mind, shopping for seasonal gifts is a must at the many specialist outlets which, within a few doors of each other, offer an array of goods rarely encountered elsewhere.

A regular winner of the Britain in Bloom competition, Dartmouth boasts many unusual and exotic blooms in its gardens, making the spring one of the best times to stay. The mild climate and access to the sea bring a rich bounty of local produce to be bought from the shops or sampled in the many eateries. In particular there are local cheeses, fresh and smoked fish, shellfish, wines and ciders - and of course clotted cream.

No visit to Dartmouth is complete without a boat trip on the River Dart, whose wooded banks have provided the tropical setting of many a movie scene. For those more energetic, there are also walks of varying distance, visits to National Trust gardens, golf and sea angling - or one can just laze on the beaches, most of which are only a short bus or steam train ride away.

Dartmouth has over 30 restaurants and 14 bars that sell fine ales and quality local food. There are many first class places to stay, many of the Bed & Breakfast (B&B's), hotels and self catering luxury homes have ETC star ratings and Green Tourism Awards.

The Dartmouth area has several small and beautiful villages such as Blackawton, East Allington, the Kingsbridge area, Stoke Fleming, Strete, Kingswear, Torcross and Slapton.