Explore Little Dartmouth and Gallants Bower

Walkers on the coastal path at Little Dartmouth, Devon | © National Trust Images/Emma Wakeham

Join the South West Coast Path to Dartmouth and the ruins of a Civil War fort at Gallants Bower. It’s all about the ocean views until you reach the mouth of the estuary, where you can then follow it inland to the bustling harbour town of Dartmouth.

Ash dieback at Gallants Bower and Dyers Wood

Please note that some of the permissive footpaths will be closing in the woodlands at Gallants Bower and Dyers Wood due to ash dieback. Where possible, paths will be re-routed. Trees affected by ash dieback become brittle which makes them dangerous and unstable. We are taking a measured approach to managing diseased ash trees, drawing on research and guidance from the Forestry Commission to ensure we do not remove trees unnecessarily and only when there is a risk to safety. Wherever possible the trees will be left to carry on providing great habitats for wildlife.

A civil war fort at Gallants Bower

These ruins of an English Civil War fort are a great place to explore, offering views for miles across the estuary and surrounding countryside.

Built between 1643 and 1645 to defend Dartmouth against the Parliamentarians, the fort would have seen the fiercest action in 1646, when it came under attack from Roundhead forces under General Fairfax.

Four years later, the fort was dismantled. Today it’s one of the best preserved examples of a fort from this period and is a Scheduled and Listed Ancient Monument.