Dartmouth Castle, Devon, England, August 2021 – Tony Giles, Blind Author and World Traveller

Wednesday, 4th August 2021

Tony outside the entrance to Dartmouth Castle. The ticket office and shop can be seen in the background. This concrete building dates from World War Two and originally housed a gun position used to guard shipping passing along the Dart Estuary below. It has a crenellated roof intended to disguise it as a medieval turret.

Dartmouth Castle is an artillery fort overlooking the mouth of the Dart Estuary in Devon, England. The castle’s earliest parts date from the 1380s when it was built in response to the threat of a French attack and with the aim of protecting Dartmouth Harbour. The fort later saw action during the English Civil War of 1642 to 1646 when control switched from the Parliamentarians to the Royalists and then back again. The site was last used for military purposes during World War Two when concrete gun houses were built to guard the shipyard at Kingswear and merchant convoys using the estuary. The military relinquished control of the site in 1955. Today it is managed by English Heritage and is open to the public.

View of an outer stone retaining wall at Dartmouth Castle with a small rocky bay below and wooded cliffs running south towards the mouth of the Dart Estuary beyond.

Tony touching an old cannon facing out towards the estuary from the Old Battery roof at Dartmouth Castle.

Tony in front of an old brick retaining wall with grave stones embedded in it. More gravestones can be seen in a graveyard above. This is the churchyard of Saint Petrox Church which adjoins the fort. A sign indicates that there are Commonwealth War Graves located here.

A view over the Dart Estuary with a few small boats visible in the distance. A stone wall belonging to the fort can be seen to the left with natural rock beneath. A small wooden bridge can also be seen below taking a footpath over an inlet.

Now looking down the estuary from the rugged rocky shoreline. In front, a round stone tower belonging to Dartmouth Castle can be seen, part obscured by trees.

Outside Saint Petrox Church which sits on cliffs above the Dart Estuary and adjoining Dartmouth Castle. The church is believed to date from the 12th century. It was rebuilt and enlarged in the 17th century. The view includes the sloping churchyard filled with old gravestones and the church's tall stone tower. — Outside Saint Petrox Church which sits on cliffs above the Dart Estuary and adjoining Dartmouth Castle. The church is believed to date from the 12th century. It was rebuilt and enlarged in the 17th century. The view includes the sloping churchyard filled with old gravestones and the church’s tall stone tower.

Inside Saint Petrox Church with wooden pews along the central aisle and a simple altar at the far end.