Dartmouth Castle
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Dartmouth
What it’s like
A trail round a coastal fortress where kids build their own fort and get hands-on with the weapons that once defended it.
The activity trail is the spine of a visit here, taking you round the whole castle rather than just the bits with a good view. There's a World Builder trail where the kids design and build their own fort, and a chance to handle the sort of weapons that would have actually defended the place. The audio and light display, showing a gun crew getting ready to fire, is the bit that'll stick with older kids longer than any information panel would.
Under-fives go round free, though the site says to book them a free infant ticket anyway rather than just turning up. Everyone aged five to seventeen needs a proper child ticket. It's open daily from 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4:30pm, so you've got a decent stretch of the afternoon if you arrive after lunch.
Booking isn't compulsory, but it's the smarter move. Book online by midnight the night before and you get 15% off, and you're guaranteed to get in even if it's a busy day. You can still book on the day, on your phone as you walk up, but you'll pay full price and miss that guaranteed entry. One thing to know before you pay: tickets can't be changed or refunded once bought.
Need to know
- Last entry
- 4:30pm
- Booking
- Book online by midnight the day before to save 15%
- Worth knowing
- Under-fives go free (need to book a free infant ticket)
- Booking the night before by midnight gets you 15% off the on-the-day price
- Under-fives still need a free ticket booked, not just a walk-in
- Tickets are final once bought, no swaps or refunds
- Last entry is 4:30pm even though the castle stays open till 5
Plan your visit
Do we need to book ahead?
Not strictly, you can turn up and buy on arrival. But booking online by midnight the day before saves you 15% and guarantees you'll get in.
Can I book tickets over the phone?
No, phone bookings aren't taken. It's online only, either in advance or on the day.
What ticket does my child need?
Under-fives go free but still need a free infant ticket booked. Anyone aged 5 to 17 needs a paid child ticket.
What time can we arrive?
The castle's open daily 10am to 5pm, with last entry at 4:30pm.
Can I change or cancel our tickets?
Once you've paid, tickets can't be changed or refunded, so pick your date carefully before booking.
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