3 Best Sights in Dartmouth, The West Country

Located on Start Bay, this privately managed beach sits at the edge of an extraordinary natural setting of meadows and forest. It's favored for its clear water and long, wide stretch of shingle. Popular with families, the beach is big enough that you can always find a quiet stretch. Take A379 south of Dartmouth and look for signs. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee); showers, toilets; water sports. Best for: swimming.

Dating from the 14th century, this well-preserved fortification a mile downriver was once equipped with a massive chain attached to the Dart's opposite bank to protect the town from sea raiders. Five hundred years later it was the site of a gun battery, dramatically illustrated in a sound and light display. It's a pleasant riverside walk from Dartmouth's center, or take one of the frequent boats leaving from Dartmouth's quay.

These lovingly restored trains chug along on tracks beside the River Dart between Paignton and Kingswear (across the river from Dartmouth). You can combine a train ride with a river excursion between Dartmouth and Totnes and a bus between Totnes and Paignton or Torquay on a Round Robin ticket (£39.50). Consult the website for the sporadic winter timetable.