Day Out from Torquay

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Day Out from Torquay

On our return trip to Cornwall we decided to reminisce with a return trip to Paignton but, because of our love of Fawlty Towers, decided to stay in Torquay and visit the adjacent resort of Paignton.  We had a great day in Paignton and decided to return the following day to take a trip on the steam train.

The day started off great and then got better.  We boarded an open top bus from Torquay to Paignton and I discovered that my pensioner bus pass also go me free travel on an open top bus 200 miles from home.  My wife is not a pensioner so she had to pay the £2 maximum fare - still a bargain.

Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company

The Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boat Company claims that the Paignton to Kingswear is one of the finest steam train trips in the country.  I would not disagree with that. As well as the experience of travelling on a steam train, it has some great scenery to enjoy along the 7 mile journey.  On leaving Paignton, the beach at Goodrington Sands comes into view. Then it is up hills and down dales, through tunnels and woods and finally alongside the River Dart before reaching Kingswear.

At Kingswear I found out that the price of the ticket also included a ferry crossing to Dartmouth.  It is a very short walk from the station to the ferry landing stage.  The ferry journey is only about 10 minutes but it has some great views up the River Dart.

Dartmouth Castle

Being English Heritage members, we decided to visit Dartmouth Castle.  It wasn't too far to walk but it is quite hilly so, with breaks to admire the view and get our breaths back, it took about 45 minutes.  The cafe at the Castle was a very welcome sight.  The staff in the cafe seemed stressed and overworked on the day that we went.  The ticket office staff, however, were very friendly and very knowledgeable of the castle.

There has been a castle at Dartmouth For over 600 years.  It was built to guard the narrow entrance to the river against the French.  Initially the weapons were catapults but it was later enlarged to include cannons and a chain which could be pulled across the river to stop ships entering.

The Spanish Armada sailed past Dartmouth because Spanish spies considered it too well guarded. During the English Civil War, Dartmouth sided with Parliament but the castle was captured by the Royalists.  This is the only action that the castle has actually had.  It was captured from the higher ground behind the castle, not from the sea.

After visiting the castle we decided to get a river boat back to Dartmouth. The landing stage is only a few minutes walk away and it takes you to the quay at Dartmouth. I wish that I had known about the river boat on the way to the castle.  I would recommend walking or the river boat as the car park at the castle is very small.

When in Dartmouth there is the option, at an additional cost, to travel on a paddle steamer.  Unfortunately time did not allow us to travel on it this time. Perhaps next time.

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