Earlier this summer we opened a pop up store in Dartmouth, Devon. With numerous festivals and events taking place throughout the year, as well as a great range of attractions and activities, and a rich maritime heritage, there is always something happening in this vibrant harbour town. We were really excited when Salcombe Gin offered us the space at the back of their Dartmouth store. Timelines were tight and resources limited but as usual our formidable Beth and Kim rose to the challenge. Picking up the keys on Monday morning, we were open by Friday.
It’s been a whirlwind summer with so much going on in this busy town and we will be staying open until New Year’s Eve as there is still all sorts happening in Dartmouth throughout the rest of the year.
One of the biggest events is the Dartmouth Food Festival which runs Friday 24th to Sunday 26th of October. A celebration of food, drink, and culinary talent, set against the stunning backdrop of the River Dart. It brings together top chefs, food writers, producers, and enthusiasts for a packed programme of events. Visitors can wander through bustling trade stands, sample the region’s finest produce, and soak up the atmosphere of one of the UK’s most loved food festivals. If you can’t make that weekend then The Dartmouth Good Food & Artisan Market is held on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9.30-3.30pm and offers a wide range of local, artisan products including sourdough bread, Dartmoor honey, locally baked cakes and savoury goods as well as home grown plants & flowers.
There are some great places to eat in the town. We would start our day with breakfast at Cafe Alf Resco. This quirky, funky place is a local institution. Maybe lunch and at The Seahorse which offers three courses for £35 Tuesday to Saturday and focuses on locally caught seafood served with Italian inspiration. There are plenty of options left to try for supper from informal tapas to Michelin starred. It’s a foodies paradise.
Situated at the mouth of the picturesque river Dart, there are plenty of ways to get out on the river and enjoy the beautiful Devon scenery. You can take river cruise up to Agatha Christie’s Greenaway or even travel as far up as the lively market town of Totnes. Check out Dartmouth Steam Railways and Riverboats for tours. Beth is lucky enough to be able to use the river as her commute to work when the tides are right.
The surrounding coast is stunning and varied. There are sheltered coves amongst high red cliffs like the ever popular Blackpool Sands. Enjoy a bracing dip and warm up in the sauna there before coffee and cake at the cafe. And the stunning Slapton Sands. If you like your scenery to have a bit of history, this beach has a very moving story attached to it. In 1943, the beach was taken over by the allied forces to use as a rehearsal area for the D-Day Landings.
If you are visiting do stop in and see us. The store has the same coastal vibe as Padstow and Salcombe and is stocked with some of our favourite brands and a few new ones too. We are open Tuesday to Saturday until the end of the year.
We hope to see you soon.
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