Useful Links
Below are links to external websites that you may find useful.
- Explore the archives and view original documents at the Devon Heritage Centre.
- The National Archives is the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales.
- The Devon History Society is is a registered charity that promotes the study of all aspects of Devon’s history.
- The South West Maritime History Society encourages interest in all aspects of maritime history and promotes research in these fields, leading where possible to the publication of the results of such studies.
- GENUKI provides a virtual reference library of genealogical information of particular relevance to the UK and Ireland.
- The Dartmouth Directory is an online resource for all things in and around Dartmouth, including accommodation, shopping, estate agents, education and hospitals.
- The Blackawton & Street History Group aims to research, collate and record historical information on the twin parishes of Blackawton and Strete publicise activities and outcomes.
- Dartmouth Museum is a small but fascinating museum which occupies part of the historic Butterwalk, a terrace of rich merchants’ houses built in 1640.
- The Kingswear Devon website provides an abundance of information on Kingswear, on the opposite side of the Dart from Dartmouth.
- The Devon Family History Society promotes the study of genealogy and history, especially of Devon families and places.
- The Friends of Devon Archive promotes the preservation and use of historical records throughout Devon and to raise public awareness of their importance for research and education.
- The Devon Rural Archive in Shilstone, Modbury is an independant heritage centre for the study of Devon’s buildings and landscapes.
- Based in Totnes in South Devon, the Totnes Image Bank & Rural Archive is a volunteer-run historic photographic archive.
- Dartmouth’s Great War Fallen is a website dedicated to all those commemorated in the town of Dartmouth who died as a result of their service to their country, during or shortly after the Great War.
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🗺️ John Davis: Who boldly went where no Devon man had gone before.![]()
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Sandridge, Stoke Gabriel. A small farm up the river from Dartmouth. Not exactly where you’d expect to find the home of one of the greatest explorers of his time.![]()
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In summer 1585, John Davis sailed out of Dartmouth harbour chasing a dream: was there a Northwest Passage through the Arctic connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific? Find it, and England’s merchants could reach the fabled riches of China and the East Indies.![]()
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Each summer for three years he pushed further north than any known European had ever been, exploring the coasts of Greenland, Baffin Island, Labrador, deep into the Arctic. In 1587 he wrote back with confidence: the sea was open, the passage was real.![]()
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He was also a decent human being. Where other explorers brought fear and distrust, Davis brought curiosity; learning the language of the Inuit people he met, treating them with respect, and coming home with almost all his ships and men intact.![]()
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His life took another course, so he never made it back to the Arctic. But the Davis Strait carries his name, a permanent mark on the map for the Devon boy from the banks of the Dart who became a great explorer.![]()
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And that passage he staked his reputation on? He was right. In 2025, the Scott Polar Institute recorded 465 transits of the Northwest Passage, opened up by melting ice.![]()
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📸: DHRG
All welcome at our free History Help drop-in session at Dartmouth Library tomorrow Friday 17 April 10am-12noon.![]()
Use the Library's local history collection and other resources to answer that important question about Dartmouth's history that's been puzzling you, get help on researching your family or house history, or just pop #dartmouthh#localhistoryh Dartmouth LibraryrtExplore Dartmouthplore Dartmouth
Dartmouth - a popular destination for two centuries!![]()
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200 Years Ago: ![]()
"We are happy to perceive the present delightful weather has had the effect of enlivening our fashionables.![]()
Dartmouth from its romantic scenery and the well known excellence of its harbour, seems to be a very favourite resort.![]()
Several Yachts have already made their appearance this season"![]()
(Flindell's Western Luminary 4 April 1826)![]()
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100 Years Ago: ![]()
"The motor traffic commenced in earnest at Dartmouth ...![]()
The crowds on the River Dart steamers were evidence of the unusually large numbers of holiday-makers in South Devon.![]()
The visitors book at St Petrox contained the names of persons from many parts of the world"![]()
(Western Morning News 5 April 1926)![]()
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Today![]()
The riverboats are still busy, the yachts are still coming in, and the present weather is indeed delightful!![]()
#dartmouth #LocalHistory Explore Dartmouth
With the damage to the A379 very much in the news after Storms Ingrid and Chandra, all welcome at our next meeting on Monday 2 March at 10am, to hear a talk about the history of the road. It was seen as vital to the local economy right from the beginning. More details here: dartmouth-history.org.uk![]()
Our picture shows an original "vignette" of a peaceful Slapton Sands, produced by Robert Cranford of Dartmouth c1850, soon after the opening of the "newly erected and beautifully situated" Slapton Sands Hotel, where Thomas Pollard offered "strict attention to comfort and moderate charges" especially for "gentlemen fond of fishing"! (Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 19 April 1848)![]()
Dartmouth Visitor Centre Dartmouth Library Explore Dartmouth #localhistory