Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Butterflies & Otters
Butterflies, exotic birds, and adorable
otters all frolic happily in the Disney-
like environment of the
Buckfast But-
terflies & Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary
at
the edge of Dartmoor.
The sanctuary
not only provides safe haven for all its
creatures, but also nurses wounded
otters back to health. Human guests
are welcome but dogs are forbidden
(otters hate them). The sanctuary is in
the town of Buckfastleigh (
&
01364/
642916;
www.ottersandbutterflies.co.
uk), and is open from April to October
daily 10am to 5:30pm. Admission is £5
for adults, £2.50 for children 3 to 15.
DARTMOUTH
236 miles SW of London; 35 miles S of Exeter
With its houses stacked on the side of a steep hill like toy pieces in some bizarre
game of balance, Dartmouth is an alluring, historic seaside town. This ancient
seaport at the mouth of the River Dart has an esteemed maritime history. This was
where knights set out for the Crusades in the 12th century, and it was the home
of the Royal Navy for so long that Warfleet Creek at the edge of town is believed
to have been so named in honor of the many fleets that gathered in the harbor
nearby before setting off for battle. Given that military history, it's no surprise that
the river is flanked by two once-heavily fortified castles—
Dartmouth Castle
and
Kingswear Castle.
Wonderfully, much survives of this town's long history—
streets are lined with houses dating to Tudor and Elizabethan times, and even
more from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
Dartmouth is not easily reached by public transportation. Cross-
Country trains run to Totnes and Paignton where you can catch buses that run about
once an hour to Dartmouth. Call
&
0870/6082608
or visit
www.stagecoachbus.
com
for schedules.
If you're driving, at Totnes turn onto the A381 and follow signs for Dartmouth.
There's only one parking lot in town, and it can get full in the summer. If that hap-
pens, park at the edge of town by the leisure center, in the park-and-ride lot on the
A3122—signs will direct you there.
You can also travel between Totnes and Dartmouth by boat from Easter to October
on
Dartmouth River Boats,
5 Lower Street, Dartmouth (
&
01803/555872;
www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk). A round-trip journey costs £14.
VISITOR INFORMATION
The
Tourist Information Centre
is at the Engine
House, Mayors Avenue (
&
01803/834224;
www.discoverdartmouth.com). It's
open April through October, Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sunday
10am to 2pm; in the off season, hours are Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 4:30pm.
Exploring the Area
Dartmouth is a gorgeous town just to wander in. It does have sights worth seeing, but
the main attraction is the town itself, with its watercolor Victorian houses stacked
above one another on the steep hill. While you're wandering, pop into the local
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