Dartmouth Castle occupies a rocky outcrop overlooking the entrance to Dartmouth Harbour. The castle dates back to the 1388AD when King Richard II ordered the mayor of Dartmouth to construct a small fort from which catapults and other projectile weapons could defend the mouth of the River Dart from invaders. This fort consisted of a curtain wall and deep ditch, which also enclosed the chapel of St. Petrox. The fort was not permanently garrisoned and was intended for use only under threat of invasion.

By 1481AD Dartmouth was becoming increasingly important as a port, and Henry VII agreed to pay the town an annual fee in order to maintain a chain barricade across the river mouth. He also funded the addition of a bulwark and an artillery tower alongside the original fort. Works finished in 1493AD, leaving Dartmouth Castle as a complex of gun positions, ammunition storage and watchtowers - all linked by a series of underground passages.

By 1715AD, neglect had left Dartmouth Castle in a ruinous condition, but renewed threats from France led to further improvements and repairs. The bulwark was transformed into the "grand battery", housing a two-tiered firing platform and twelve guns. The older parts of the castle were put to use for the storage of ammunition and supplies and also to house a permanent garrison.

Although Dartmouth was declining in importance following this period, the castle was maintained as a defensive gun platform - albeit with fewer guns and one permanent gunner. However, in 1861AD further threats from the French led to the addition of a final battery housing six large guns. The battery was re-built with granite defences, and a permanent staff of three professional soldiers and over fift reservists.

The castle remained in service during both world wars, and during WWII two rapid-firing guns were added to defend against swift-moving enemy vessels.

In 1955AD, Dartmouth Castle was transferred to the Ministry of Works, who leased the old battery back to the town for use as a restaurant, with the remainder of the site being opened to the public. In 1984AD, it was passed into the stewardship of English Heritage.

Today, Dartmouth Castle is incredibly well persevered, having never fallen out of use right up until modern times. It's an interesting site, but hard to interpret due to the maze-like layout spanning many hundreds of years of development. The real star of the show though is the location. From the small carpark adjacent to the castle, the visitor can enjoy a sweeping panorama out over the English Channel. Opposite the castle, the view across the River Dart to the wooded cliffs on the opposite side of the bay is similarly striking. The charming little café abutting the castle is also worthy of note, especially since it enjoys the same views but with the benefit of shelter in inclement weather.