Bayard's Cove Fort — Attraction in South Hams

This sturdy Tudor fort, built into the rock face at the far end of Bayard's Cove, is worth visiting to learn about its history, soak up the atmosphere, and enjoy the river views. It was built between 1522 and 1536 to defend the harbour against any enemy warships that managed to get past the cannon fire of Dartmouth and Kingswear Castles, and the iron chain stretched across the river that was capable of ripping a hole in the bottom of a ship. The fort is an English Heritage site, free to enter and open all year round. I accessed it from Lower Street, walking along the old stone quay. It's small inside, and now empty except for an interpretation board outlining the history, but the thick walls with their large gunports through which cannons were fired, and the view of the estuary through an archway, were well worth a look. The whole area is a delight to explore on foot, and there are numerous shops and...

Bayard's Cove Fort, also known historically as Berescove or Bearscore Castle,[1] is an English 16th-century artillery blockhouse, built to defend the harbour entrance at Dartmouth in Devon. Constructed in the early part of the century, it had eleven gunports for heavy artillery and was intended to engage enemy vessels that broke past the external defences of the Dartmouth and Kingswear castles. It remained armed during the English Civil War, but was neglected in the 18th century and used for storage. The fort was restored in the late 19th century and is now managed by English Heritage and open...

The fort itself is in great condition especially being by the ocean. We accessed it via the stairs from the upper road, which can be a bit hazardous in the rain but is also accessible directly on the lower road, although there are a few steps down either side to enter the fort.

Parking nearby is mostly permits or ticketed. If you drive pass the busy town shops, you’ll reach parking area which has free parking (although council is planning to implement meters in early 2024). The walk from there is about 10 minutes.

Great views no doubt. This is open to the public and no tickets...