Dartmouth Castle

The castle was built on a rocky promontory overlooking the mouth of the River Dart.

The original fortress was begun in the 14th century but most of the building was carried out during the 15th century. It is the earliest surviving English coastal castle specifically designed for artillery.

Dartmouth Castle consists of a square and a round tower built next two each other to fit the shape of the rock.

Another castle was built on the opposite bank at Kingswear and both fortifications were designed as protection against French pirates.

During the Civil War Royalists besieged and captured the castle and held it for three years. When the Parliamentarians under Sir Thomas Fairfax attacked and took the town the Royalists surrendered the castle the next day.

During World War II a brick gunshelter was built at the castle for use against a possible German invasion.