Dartmouth Regatta in 360º

A virtual tour of Dartmouth Regatta where thousands of visitors descend on Dartmouth every August for a packed three-day programme of air sailing, sports, live music, street food, fireworks and more.

Location/Facts History Food Entertainment Getting There Helpful Tips Weather Sunrise & Sunset Times Tide Times Nearby Destinations

Update: 6th September 2021

Added: New 360 images

I’ve been coming to the Dartmouth Regatta for a number of years, usually arriving either by catching the sea train ferry (£24, 2021) from Torquay or the Steam train (£19.60, 2021) from Paignton to Dartmouth. The sea train is a stunning 2 hour boat trip with amazing views and often spot dolphins and seals along the way. (sadly it is very weather dependant though and has been cancelled at the last minute a few times, so we’ve then had to take the steam train both ways instead 😒) If the boats on though it takes you into the heart of Dartmouth, then when you’re done return to Kingswear on the foot passenger ferry included in your train/ferry ticket and catch the steam train back to Paignton. For regatta they usually have extra trains running and the last train is later than usual, but this is still early for most leaving around 21:45 – 22:00 after the firework display. This is why we always make sure we’re across the water and back on the Kingswear side before the fireworks watching from the Ship Inn, as the rush and queues after the display can be crazy and you will likely miss the last train.

Once in Dartmouth for the day the place is buzzing with people everywhere. I tend to head straight for the food market to see what’s available for lunch, there’s usually always plenty of delicious stuff to try. If you want a beer the the best beer garden is at the George & Dragon, though it gets busy fast and your lucky to find a table. One year we did see a group carrying an ironing board as a pop up table, which I thought was a great idea 😂 I also like the Dartmouth Arms at Bayard’s Cove as it has the best view, it’s just the opposite side of town. I should mention The Dolphin & The Cherub are also good places to visit.

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Location/Facts

The Dartmouth Regatta takes place over the Thursday, Friday and Saturday where the Friday is the last Friday in August. The Regatta is formally opened on the preceding Wednesday evening, although as the regatta has grown, some events start as early as the weekend before.

The Committee write each year to the Monarch to request the renewal of the Royal Patronage.
The patron now is Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, and last visited the Royal Regatta on its 175th anniversary celebrations in 2019.

History

In 1856 it became a Royal Regatta when Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales came into Dartmouth in a flotilla of nine boats on an unscheduled visit because of bad weather, arriving the day before the regatta started on 11 August. Prince Albert and his son went up to Sharpham Point in the new steamboat Dartmouth, which had arrived on the river only the previous day. The Queen followed in the state barge, going as far as Dittisham. The Queen came ashore at 6 pm and was met by the borough mayor. The Queen then drove in a carriage over ‘The Ridges’ to the ‘Black House’ at the junction of Jaw Bones/Swannaton Road/Stoke Fleming Road. She was accompanied by Sir H.F. Seale on horseback. That night there were special illuminations both ashore and afloat. The Queen donated £25 and Prince Albert gave £20 for three rowing races to be competed for by the sailors of Dartmouth and this was done on the second day of the regatta. The Queen the next day sailed on to Plymouth but before leaving bestowed the title of ‘Royal’ on the regatta.

The first recorded regatta was in 1822 and the regatta was formally established in 1834.

Food

There’s plenty of food available from the street market or you can choose to eat in one of the many restaurants or pubs.

Entertainment

Rowing
Air displays Although recently, in light of restrictions in place, the focus of the event has been on activities afloat and ashore rather than in the air.
Sailing
Street Market
Fireworks
Music public performances in the bandstand in the Royal Avenue Gardens

Getting There

I usually travel to Dartmouth by either catching the ferry from Torquay or the Steam train from Paignton.

Car, Park and Ride car park at the top of town. Parking is £10 per car per day, which of course includes use of the bus for the car driver and all the passengers (provided they ride together). There is NO town centre parking available. Many of the roads both in Kingswear and Dartmouth will be changed to ‘CLEARWAYS’ and form part of an emergency access plan, therefore there is no parking permitted at any time.
Bus, Stagecoach South West offer special services to and from Dartmouth Regatta. Additional services will be running on Torbay routes 18, 20 and 120.
Ferry, The last ferry is usually around 23:00 depending on the direction, best ask on the day.
Train, The Dartmouth Steam Railway between Paignton and Kingswear is running all day with departures from each end of the line at frequent intervals throughout the day. £16 for a return adult. The last train is usually around 23:00.
Taxi: Taxi Rank (usually outside Platform 1) will operate from the Mayor’s Avenue, out of the suspended Police Station/Flavel Carpark, opposite the Dartmouth Visitors Centre.
- Bluebird Taxis: 01803 833522
- Darren’s Taxi 07805 138850 – 6 seaters
- Devon Taxis: 01803 833778 – 6 seaters
- Kestrel Taxis: 01803 832526
- Kingswear Taxi: 01803 752626 (Kingswear)
- Mainland Taxis: 07970 121466
- Mickeys Taxis: 07812 088935 – 6 seaters
- Paul’s Taxis: 07516 219466

Tip: There are a limited number of parking spaces available for Disabled Blue Badge holders available in Victoria Road (free) and in Coronation park on a first come first served basis, for £5 per day, please email dartmouthregattaparking@gmail.com. Please note that all of the SHDC Dartmouth Park and Ride buses are ‘kneeling busses’ to enable easier access.

Helpful Tips

Dartmouth Regatta is a free event!
The last train and Ferry are usually around 11pm depending on the direction you want to go, check the time table on the website.
Make sure to get across the water onto the Kingswear side before the fireworks and watch form the Ship Inn, as the rush and queues after the display can be crazy and you will likely miss the last train.
There are a limited number of parking spaces available for Disabled Blue Badge holders available in Victoria Road (free) and in Coronation park on a first come first served basis, for £5 per day, please email dartmouthregattaparking@gmail.com. Please note that all of the SHDC Dartmouth Park and Ride buses are ‘kneeling busses’ to enable easier access.
Don’t forget the sunscreen, if it’s a scorcher.
Taxi Numbers:
- Bluebird Taxis: 01803 833522
- Darren’s Taxi 07805 138850 – 6 seaters
- Devon Taxis: 01803 833778 – 6 seaters
- Kestrel Taxis: 01803 832526
- Kingswear Taxi: 01803 752626 (Kingswear)
- Mainland Taxis: 07970 121466
- Mickeys Taxis: 07812 088935 – 6 seaters
- Paul’s Taxis: 07516 219466
Be aware of the seagulls if your outside with food.
For more info go to www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk or facebook.
www.drinkaware.co.uk