Lower Dart (Totnes to Dartmouth Estuary)
At the river’s mouth, the historic maritime town of Dartmouth sets the tone with its world-class sailing, fine dining, and elegant architecture. Across the estuary and gently upriver, waterside villages like Dittisham, Stoke Gabriel, and Tuckenhay provide secluded charm and easy river access, ideal for boating enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful escape.
Further inland, the market town of Totnes brings a bohemian vibrancy and cultural richness, while neighbouring villages such as Dartington, Staverton, and Harberton offer artistic legacy, strong communities, and countryside elegance within easy reach of town amenities.
As the river climbs into Dartmoor National Park, the scenery becomes dramatic and untamed. Moorland hamlets like Holne, Hexworthy, and Postbridge offer unparalleled access to walking trails, ancient forests, and panoramic views — the perfect setting for those seeking solitude, heritage, and a deep connection to nature. Whether you're drawn to estuary grandeur, vineyard-laced hillsides, or remote Dartmoor vistas, life along the Dart promises a timeless quality of living — where every village tells a story, and every home offers a front-row seat to Devon’s most treasured landscapes.
Dartmouth
Dartmouth is a historic port town with everything: architecture steeped in naval tradition, a deepwater estuary perfect for sailing, a delightful mix of boutiques and restaurants, and a thriving year-round community. It offers excellent schools including The Dartmouth Academy, and it’s a magnet for families, retirees, and creatives. With festivals, a world-class marina, galleries, and ferry links across the river, Dartmouth balances vitality with relaxed coastal charm. The surrounding countryside offers quiet retreats, while the town itself supports a dynamic lifestyle — a true gem of the South Hams and the crowning jewel of the River Dart.
Kingswear
Located on the opposite bank to Dartmouth, Kingswear is a coastal village with a unique mix of maritime energy and scenic beauty. It boasts a charming station for the heritage steam railway, a bustling marina, and a variety of walking trails leading to secluded coves. Commuting to Dartmouth is as simple as catching the ferry, and mainline rail connections are accessible via Paignton. Residents enjoy excellent sailing facilities, great pubs, and a strong local community. Kingswear suits professionals, retirees, and second-home owners seeking coastal living with iconic views and easy access to urban centres.
Dittisham
Dittisham (pronounced “Ditsum”) is a jewel of the Dart — a picturesque waterside village with pastel cottages, steep lanes, and breathtaking river views. Residents enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle, from sailing and kayaking to paddleboarding and birdwatching. The village has a much-loved pub right on the water, and ferry links to Dartmouth add to the charm. Property here is highly sought after, combining coastal style with countryside tranquility. While there are no schools in the village itself, nearby Dartmouth and Totnes offer excellent options, and fast broadband ensures Dittisham remains connected despite its hideaway feel.
Cornworthy
Set on a hill above the Dart estuary, Cornworthy offers spectacular views and elegant homes surrounded by rolling green fields. It’s a close-knit, affluent village with a timeless Devon character — think whitewashed cottages, a parish church, and hedgerow-lined lanes. The area is ideal for walkers, dog owners, and countryside lovers, with nearby access to Bow Creek and the wider South Hams. Despite its rural ambiance, it’s well-positioned for travel to Totnes, Dartmouth, and Kingsbridge, with excellent broadband and discreet luxury developments making it a magnet for second-home buyers and year-round residents alike.
Tuckenhay
Once a bustling industrial hamlet, Tuckenhay is now a serene riverside village lined with elegant converted mills and historic cottages. Life here revolves around the water — whether it’s sailing, crabbing from the quay, or watching the tide roll in from your garden. There’s a popular riverside inn, and the entire setting exudes timeless charm. Though peaceful, Tuckenhay is just 15 minutes from Totnes or Dartmouth by car, offering convenient access to schools, services, and shopping. It's perfect for buyers seeking a luxurious rural escape with a touch of waterside magic.
Ashprington
Ashprington is one of the South Hams’ best-kept secrets — a stunning riverside village perched just above Bow Creek, a dreamy tidal tributary of the River Dart. With honey-stone cottages, rolling vineyards, and postcard-perfect views, Ashprington offers a rare combination of elegance, tranquillity, and heritage. It’s home to the award-winning Sharpham Estate, known for its wine and cheese, and residents enjoy riverside walks, kayaking at high tide, and a food-lover’s lifestyle just minutes from Totnes. Despite its rural charm, the village has a lovely local pub and strong community spirit, while schooling, rail links, and shopping are easily accessible via Totnes. Ashprington appeals to discerning buyers looking for a refined rural retreat, where fine living meets natural beauty — whether it’s a second home by the water, a family base with a touch of luxury, or a peaceful haven for retirement. It's quiet, exclusive, and visually breathtaking — an exceptional place to put down roots.
Totnes
Totnes is one of Devon’s most sought-after towns, loved for its vibrant culture, independent spirit, and progressive outlook. It combines historic architecture with a dynamic arts scene, bustling markets, and gourmet food outlets — all set against a backdrop of river views and green hills. The town offers top-rated schools, a Steiner academy, and mainline rail service direct to London Paddington. The River Dart is central to life here — ideal for paddleboarding, canoeing, and riverside walks. Excellent broadband, a thriving entrepreneurial scene, and a strong sense of community make Totnes especially popular among professionals, families, and eco-conscious buyers.
Dartington
A short hop from Totnes, Dartington is famed for its historic Hall and progressive heritage rooted in the arts, education, and sustainability. The Dartington Estate hosts music festivals, film screenings, and workshops year-round, enriching the local culture. The village itself is tranquil, with leafy lanes, artisan food outlets, and beautiful river walks. It’s ideal for families seeking a holistic lifestyle, with access to both state and alternative schools, including Dartington Primary and Schumacher College. The area also attracts academics, artists, and nature-lovers who value its creative atmosphere and proximity to Totnes rail connections.
Middle Dart (Totnes to Dartmeet)
At the river’s mouth, the historic town of Dartmouth sets an elegant tone with its deep maritime roots, world-class sailing scene, and a wealth of fine dining, boutiques, and beautifully preserved Georgian architecture. Across the estuary, tranquil villages like Dittisham, Stoke Gabriel, and Tuckenhay offer secluded riverside charm, where homes cling to the water’s edge and residents enjoy kayaking at sunrise, crabbing from quaysides, or evenings in cosy waterfront inns. These are havens for boating enthusiasts, nature lovers, and those in search of a peaceful yet privileged way of life.
Further inland, the market town of Totnes brings a burst of energy and cultural richness, celebrated for its independent spirit, weekly markets, alternative therapies, and creative community. Its neighbour, Dartington, is steeped in artistic legacy — home to the Dartington Hall Estate, international music festivals, and progressive education. Nearby Staverton and Harberton offer timeless rural beauty and close-knit communities, with leafy lanes, riverside walks, and access to highly regarded schools and modern amenities — all within easy reach of Totnes' mainline rail and vibrant town centre.
As the River Dart climbs into Dartmoor National Park, the scenery grows more dramatic and untamed. Moorland villages such as Holne, Hexworthy, and Postbridge offer immersive access to some of Devon’s most iconic landscapes — ancient oak woodlands, high granite tors, wild rivers, and walking trails that begin at the garden gate. These are places where solitude meets soulfulness, where heritage homes stand weather-worn but proud, and where every window frames a view worth painting.
Whether you’re drawn to the estuary’s grandeur, vineyard-laced hillsides, or the windswept beauty of the moor, life along the Dart promises a timeless quality of living — where each village tells its own story, and every home offers a front-row seat to one of England’s most beloved and unspoilt river valleys.
Dartington
A short hop from Totnes, Dartington is famed for its historic Hall and progressive heritage rooted in the arts, education, and sustainability. The Dartington Estate hosts music festivals, film screenings, and workshops year-round, enriching the local culture. The village itself is tranquil, with leafy lanes, artisan food outlets, and beautiful river walks. It’s ideal for families seeking a holistic lifestyle, with access to both state and alternative schools, including Dartington Primary and Schumacher College. The area also attracts academics, artists, and nature-lovers who value its creative atmosphere and proximity to Totnes rail connections.
Staverton
Staverton is a quintessential English village, known for its beautiful stone bridge crossing the River Dart and its heritage railway stop on the South Devon Railway. A strong sense of community, idyllic rural setting, and quiet lanes make it an appealing destination for families and retirees. The village hall regularly hosts events, and the surrounding countryside is perfect for walking, fishing, and bird watching. Being just 10 minutes from Totnes, residents benefit from excellent schools, healthcare, and shopping while enjoying the peaceful rhythms of village life. Fast broadband and reliable transport routes enhance its appeal for remote workers.
Buckfastleigh
A creative and community-driven town, Buckfastleigh has undergone a quiet renaissance in recent years, attracting young families, entrepreneurs, and nature-lovers alike. The town features primary and secondary schools, a community swimming pool, yoga studios, vintage shops, and cafés with a welcoming, bohemian vibe. It’s perfectly positioned for river and moor access, with excellent canoeing and wild swimming in nearby Holne Bridge and River Dart Country Park. With its own heritage railway station, close proximity to the A38, and improving broadband infrastructure, Buckfastleigh offers a lifestyle that’s both connected and grounded in Devonshire charm.
Buckfast
Best known for Buckfast Abbey — a working monastery and iconic landmark — Buckfast is a quiet, green pocket of tranquility nestled along the River Dart. It enjoys a peaceful atmosphere with scenic riverside walks and quick access to the South Devon Railway and the Dartmoor Way cycle route. The abbey grounds offer serene gardens and a sense of cultural richness rarely found in villages of this size. Buckfast is within walking distance of Buckfastleigh for local amenities and schools, and its proximity to the A38 makes it an excellent base for commuters heading toward Totnes, Exeter, or Plymouth.
Ashburton
Ashburton is a lively and characterful town that blends heritage with modern living. As one of Dartmoor’s ‘gateway’ towns, it boasts an array of independent shops, antique stores, artisan bakeries, and a thriving arts and foodie scene. There are excellent schools, including South Dartmoor Community College, and strong transport links via the nearby A38 make commuting to Exeter, Plymouth, or Newton Abbot easy. Residents enjoy walks along the Dart, regular community events, and proximity to some of the best wild swimming spots in the UK. Ashburton offers the perfect compromise for buyers who want to be close to the natural beauty of Dartmoor while enjoying a vibrant small-town lifestyle.
Holne
Perched on the southern edge of Dartmoor, Holne is a charming village with sweeping views over the Dart Valley and quick access to riverbanks and moorland trails. It’s a place where traditional Devon life flourishes — with a small church, a friendly community, and local produce stalls that pop up seasonally. Residents enjoy a wealth of outdoor opportunities: wild swimming in the River Dart, fishing for brown trout, riding across the moor, or hiking directly from their doorstep. The village is just a 10-minute drive to Ashburton, making schooling, shops, and restaurants easily accessible. Holne strikes a perfect balance between rural serenity and convenience — ideal for families, creatives, and retirees alike.
Dartmeet
Dartmeet is where the East and West Dart rivers converge in a dramatic and picturesque landscape of mossy boulders, tumbling water, and ancient woodland. It’s a popular spot for day-trippers but a deeply peaceful place to live, especially just beyond the immediate tourist trails. The area is ideal for river lovers, offering fishing, kayaking in season, and idyllic picnic spots just minutes from home. It’s also a strategic spot for exploring wider Dartmoor, and while remote, it’s not isolated — with Ashburton and Tavistock reachable by car. Living in Dartmeet means embracing a wild, elemental lifestyle where your neighbours might include otters, herons, and red deer.
Upper Dart (River Dart Source Region)
High on the moor, where the River Dart is born amid granite tors and heather-strewn hillsides, the landscape is wild and elemental. Villages like Dartmeet, Poundsgate, and Hexworthy sit within the folds of Dartmoor National Park, offering residents immediate access to windswept trails, cascading waterfalls, and some of England’s most awe-inspiring wilderness. Here, homes are woven into the terrain, perfect for those seeking an off-grid lifestyle with nature as a constant companion.
Descending from the moor, the river threads through woodland valleys and pastoral scenes, passing through the artistic and historic community of Holne — a place where cob cottages, ancient churches, and spirited village life coexist in peaceful harmony. Nearby, Scorriton and Buckfast nestle between farmland and forest, each with a storybook charm and a pace of life that invites reflection and connection.
As the river approaches the edge of the moor, the vibrant town of Ashburton stands as a gateway — bustling with antique shops, artisan bakeries, and an eclectic mix of creatives and professionals. It combines market town energy with rugged surroundings, making it an ideal home for those wanting both culture and access to the great outdoors.
The Upper Dart is a region of contrasts — from high moor to deep wood, solitude to society. It offers a lifestyle shaped by nature and nurtured by community, where each bend in the river brings new character, and every village offers a sanctuary steeped in Devon’s wild beauty.
Hexworthy
Hexworthy is a peaceful hamlet tucked along the upper reaches of the West Dart River, offering raw Dartmoor beauty with a soft, lived-in charm. Set amidst ancient oak woods, rolling granite hills, and the flowing river itself, it’s one of the last outposts before the open moor stretches westward toward Fur Tor. Homes here — a mix of traditional stone cottages and bespoke countryside dwellings — are few, creating an unmatched sense of privacy and immersion in nature. The historic Forest Inn, a well-loved moorland pub, anchors local life, while nearby villages like Holne and Poundsgate provide essentials. Outdoor life thrives here: residents enjoy fly fishing on the Dart, horse riding on bridle paths that thread through the hills, and walking straight from their doorsteps into landscapes barely changed in centuries. Though remote, Hexworthy is within 30 minutes of Ashburton and the A38, offering access to broader services and commuter links. For those drawn to Dartmoor’s wilder edges — but still wanting community, comfort, and storybook surroundings — Hexworthy is a rare and deeply rewarding place to call home.
Two Bridges
Two Bridges is a remote and strikingly beautiful Dartmoor landmark where dramatic open moorland, ancient rivers, and quiet history converge. Best known for the charming country hotel that shares its name, this high-moor location offers one of the most awe-inspiring settings on the entire moor. Living near Two Bridges means waking to the sound of skylarks, stepping into vast, uninterrupted landscapes, and experiencing true seasonal variation — misty mornings, crisp frosts, and brilliant summer sunsets. While there is no village as such, the area is dotted with historic farmhouses, converted barns, and discreet eco-builds, ideal for those craving solitude and privacy. You’re just a few miles from Princetown (with basic amenities and schooling), and larger towns like Tavistock or Ashburton are within a 30–40 minute drive. With nearby highlights like Wistman’s Wood, the West Dart River, and countless walking and riding routes, Two Bridges is heaven for ramblers, wild swimmers, nature photographers, and anyone seeking a slower, more soulful way of life. Remote but not unreachable, this is Dartmoor living in its purest and most poetic form.
Bellever
Tucked just south of Postbridge, Bellever is a peaceful forest hamlet flanked by the River East Dart and the towering Bellever Tor. It’s an ideal location for those looking to live close to nature while remaining in a safe, close-knit community. Bellever Forest is a haven for dog walkers, riders, and families, with its wide, well-marked trails and picnic spots. The area supports sustainable living and has a timeless charm that appeals to writers, artists, and anyone seeking a slower, more meaningful pace of life. Despite its rural feel, access to schools and larger towns is manageable, and improved broadband supports remote working, making Bellever a quiet but connected place to call home.
Postbridge
Postbridge is an enchanting moorland village located in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, famed for its historic clapper bridge and stunning wilderness. Living here offers a true escape into nature, with miles of walking trails through heather-strewn moorland, clear rivers, and ancient woodlands. It’s a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, wild swimming, cycling, and horseback riding. The air is clean, the skies are dark for stargazing, and wildlife is abundant — from ponies to rare birds. Although beautifully remote, Postbridge remains within reach of larger towns such as Tavistock and Moretonhampstead for essential services and schooling. Broadband infrastructure has been improved in recent years, allowing those seeking digital quietude without disconnection to thrive here.
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe-in-the-Moor is one of Dartmoor’s most iconic and picturesque villages, nestled in a wide green valley surrounded by dramatic tors and windswept moorland. Famed for its beautiful 14th-century church and the annual Widecombe Fair, the village draws visitors year-round — but remains a peaceful and deeply livable place for residents. Life here feels timeless: thatched cottages, village greens, artisan cafés, and a strong sense of community underpin daily life. The village supports a primary school and has a regular visiting post office, while the nearby towns of Ashburton and Bovey Tracey provide broader amenities. For lovers of the outdoors, it’s a dream: endless riding tracks, hiking paths, and clear-flowing rivers are all just beyond your doorstep. Birdlife and stargazing here are outstanding, and while the mobile signal can be patchy in places, broadband is available and improving steadily. Widecombe is perfect for those who want a balance between a vibrant village identity and the raw, natural splendour of Dartmoor — ideal for families, retirees, or second-home seekers who value character, culture, and calm.
