Local Essentials
The practical stuff most travel sites skip. Everything you need to know before visiting Dartmouth, from parking to pharmacies.
Accessibility
Museum
Dartmouth Museum in the Butterwalk has no wheelchair access beyond the street-level entrance lobby, by its own statement.
Hotels
The Royal Castle's bedrooms are on the second to fourth floors with stairs only; Dart Marina has a ground-floor low-mobility garden room with ramp access.
Town
The town is steep away from the waterfront; the Embankment, the Quay and Bayard's Cove are level.
Emergency Services
General Emergency
999 or 112
Coast Guard
999, ask for the Coastguard.
Police Station
Non-emergencies on 101; 999 or 112 in an emergency.
Dartmouth has no A&E and no minor injuries unit. The nearest emergency department is Torbay Hospital, Lowes Bridge, Torquay TQ2 7AA, open 24 hours every day for all ages (NHS listing, last confirmed 9 July 2026); it is about 15km away in a straight line and about 22km by road using a car ferry. When the ferries are not running at night the road route is via Totnes and much longer. For a minor injury, Totnes Minor Injuries Unit is open 8am to 5pm every day. For anything urgent but not life-threatening, call NHS 111.
01803 654003Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre
Townstal Road, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0JL
01803 832845NHS health centre (GPs, community services), no minor injuries unit
Opened in 2023 at the top of town next to the park and ride; open 8am to 4.30pm by the trust's page. It has no minor injuries unit: the trust names Totnes as the nearest. Visitors not registered locally should call NHS 111 first.
Totnes Minor Injuries Unit
Totnes Community Hospital, Coronation Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5GH
01803 862622Minor injuries unit, not an A&E
Open 7 days a week, 8am to 5pm, including bank holidays, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust; appointments by phone (option 1) are prioritised over walk-ins. About 12km from Dartmouth in a straight line.
The emergency department phone number is the one on Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust's emergency department page.
Parking
Dartmouth park and ride
At the top of the town off the A3122, next to the Health and Wellbeing Centre; the 91 bus runs down to Dartmouth Pontoon. The recommended option in summer, by the museum, the Bayards Cove Inn and Discover Dartmouth.
Mayor's Avenue car park
Rate: Check the tariff board or PayByPhone
South Hams District Council car park in the town centre.
Old Market car park
Free but closed to cars on market days, by Discover Dartmouth and Rockfish; read the signs.
Dartmouth Castle car park
Small South Hams District Council car park at the castle, TQ6 0JN.
Pet-Friendly Info
Steam railway and boats
The Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company takes well-behaved dogs for a £3 fee on its services, except the Train of Lights.
Pubs and hotels
Dogs are welcome at Rockfish, in the Royal Castle's bar and in the Bayards Cove Inn; the Royal Castle and Dart Marina have dog-friendly rooms.
Pharmacies
Boots
5-6 The Quay, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 9PS
The pharmacy in the town centre, on the Quay.
Wellbeing Pharmacy
Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre, Townstal Road, Dartmouth, Devon TQ6 0JL
At the top of town next to the park and ride. Its old Victoria Road branch shows as closed on the NHS listing.
Shopping
Markets
The Old Market has shops all week and market days on Tuesday, Friday and, in high season, Thursday; the Good Food and Artisan Market is on the second Saturday of the month.