Nestled in the undulating hills of South Devon, the River Dart meanders its way from where it rises on the National Park of Dartmoor.

Passing through Buckfastleigh, Dartington and Totnes, the river finally reaches its seaward escape at Dartmouth.

Credit to the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company in revealing so much of the scenic beauty of the River Dart and its surrounding environs.

A celebratory hundred years

This year, 1924 has seen a celebratory hundred years since the build of the steam powered Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle, which now plies its passenger service on the River Dart.

It was here in Dartmouth that the vessel was built by Philip & Son back in 1924.

Not to be outshone by the Kingswear Castle in heritage, age and nostalgia is the steam train 'Goliath' also in its hundredth year of service, which in turn runs its rail passenger service between Paignton's Queen's Park Station and Kingswear.

This Scenic route, though only seven miles long, captures the imagination, passing in close proximity to the English Riviera's Goodrington Sands, where an expansive view of land, sea and sky bewitches the eye.

Then in contrast, as 'Goliath' progresses, the train becomes enveloped in the sylvan glades of Long Wood, it being here that the River Dart makes her first appearance, as the river landscape reveals its panoramic beauty.

The tranquil village of Kingswear

Then on to the tranquil village of Kingswear and its station situated on the East shore of the River Dart, whilst on the West shore is the imposing historic town of Dartmouth.

Arrival at the picturesque village of Kingswear's rail terminus, the station is a short walk to the ferry. Crossing here, one can start to appreciate the unique beauty that surrounds the River Dart.

The village of Kingswear being ensconced on a hill, where from the upper reaches to the water's edge, there are no doubt some breathtaking views of the Dart estuary.

The village itself emulating some of the characteristics of the City of Bristol with individual houses painted in contrasting vibrant colours.

The scenic view from the water and from Dartmouth as 'Goliath' undertakes the return journey along the Dart's estuary is one to behold from a distance, capturing a reminiscent picture of a bygone era.

The halcyon days of steam engines

Those magnificent halcyon days of steam engines are embodied with the characteristic visual emissions of both smoke and steam.

Whilst the elusive sound of the train's whistle enhances her nostalgic presence.

As one approaches the town of Dartmouth, it can be perceived that this sheltered harbour is thriving, much a hive of activity with its ferries, yachts, commercial shipping, waterborne and tourist activities.

Marinas with piles, pontoons and buoys

Numerous marinas, accompanied by piles, pontoons and buoys are all very evident. Overlooking the estuary upriver is the Britannia Royal Naval College, a building of imperious stature and majesty.

It is here that the Royal Navy's potential Officer Candidates undertake their initial basic training.

As an aside, and to allude to its stature and location, the College postal address contains the wording South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

As if that was not enough to enhance its reputation. It is open to the public on occasions

www.britanniaassociation.org.uk/tours/

Boarding the Kingswear Castle

Boarding of the Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle takes place at the South Embankment in Dartmouth.

A warm welcome awaits on embarkation as one is impressed by the beauty and high standards of maintenance of the vessel-a perfect picture of devoted loving care and attention to detail.

Of note is the after Coach Roof which is a copy of the 1924 original structure and was fabricated in the Railway Carriage Workshop in Paignton.

Overall, the vessel is best described as A neat little Steam Packet.

The high standard of the vessel's fabric condition is ever evident, with the exemplary condition of the vessel's wooden deck and her fixtures/fittings/livery and also of special note is the decor of the loos.

Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.

The engineering aspects of the vessel

For those interested in the engineering aspects of the vessel, she is a steam propelled vessel powered by a twin cylinder horizontal cross compound propulsion unit.

Steam is generated by the coal fired boiler to a pressure of 100 psi (pounds per square inch-approximately 6.9 bar).

The steam then enters the High Pressure (HP) cylinder where it expands, both losing heat energy and pressure which is expended in turning the Paddle crankshaft.

The steam then passes to the larger Low Pressure (LP) cylinder where again it expands, both losing heat energy and pressure which again is expended in turning the Paddle crankshaft.

Finally, the saturated steam is then exhausted in to the Condenser where it is condensed to water and then fed by a feed pump to the boiler to begin the cycle again (raw feed water can supplement any losses, whilst chemical Coagulant and Alkali treatments are added to condition the Boiler water). Her maximum rated power output is 130 Shaft Horse Power, with a Maximum Continuous Rated speed of 8/9 Knots.

The castles of Dartmouth and Kingswear

The vessel departs the quay and heads out to the mouth of the Dart estuary where the historic Castles of both Dartmouth and Kingswear sought to protect the Port from attack by foreign adversaries.

Dartmouth Castle is under the management of English Heritage and is open to the public, whilst in close proximity to the Castle is the church of St. Petrox.

Dartmouth Castle from its inception in 1388, (during the Hundred Years War against the French), has undergone various phases of enhancement over the years-one of note being a chain ranged across the length of the harbour entrance from the West shore to the East shore to deter enemy attacks on Dartmouth and its environs.

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/dartmouth-castle/history/

Out and beyond in the sea reaches are a number of Coves with somewhat quaint and alluring names: Sugary Cove, Ladies Cove and Deadman's Cove.

In contrast, the Kingswear Castle, hugging the East coast shore opposite the Dartmouth Castle had a very short history as a manned fortification.

Completed in 1502, after 50 years of service it was seldom manned and fell in to a state of dereliction, till it was renovated in Victorian times. Today, it is under the ownership of the Landmark Trust who along with its preservation commitments, rent out the Castle on a self-catering basis.

It is then a one eighty degree turn to meander up the Dart, passing Bayard's Fort Cove on the Portside, this a historic Fort that was built in Tudor times, having gun emplacements for the protection of Dartmouth Harbour.

Then along the Harbour front of Dartmouth, with good panoramic views over the estuary in all directions.

Heading on from Dartmouth, the vessel passes the Royal Naval training area, various Slipways and Maintenance Sheds.

The serene enchantment of the Dart

Then it is in to the serene enchantment of the Dart exploited by the beauty of nature, the wooded verdant hillsides, reaching from the hills to the water's edge.

One can imagine the visual charm of the changing seasons on this evocative landscape of vibrant colour.

As the vessel progresses, nestled among the hills are various homes, one that is in close proximity to the Dart is that of Greenways, one can just catch a glimpse.

Here was the holiday home of Agatha Christie who described Greenways as 'The loveliest place on earth", where apparently she could relax, whilst enjoying the peace, privacy and tranquillity that Greenways afforded her.

That said, the environment did prove a source of literary inspiration as there were three novels written based on the local surroundings, aptly named The Greenway Collection, composed of: Deadman's Folly; Five Little Pigs and Ordeal by Innocence.

As an aside, Greenways has also been used for filming a number of adaptations of Agatha Christie's novels.

The House and surrounds are run and maintained by the National Trust and is open to visitors.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/greenway

Following close to the shore, on a circuitous route, one passes the picturesque village of Dittisham where unfortunately there is no stop off.

But from the vantage point of the Kingswear Castle, one has a good view of the village's waterfront.

Then there are a number of Creeks and Tributaries where Yachts, Motorboats and Tenders lie idly by the gentle lapping waters tethered to buoys, the odd Cormorant in attendance; whilst allied to this at the Marinas there are: wharfs, pontoons and piers with numerous vessels of every shape and size in various states of repose and inactivity.

Thus, the waterborne journey on the Kingswear Castle draws to its conclusion as it docks at Kingswear. Then it is up to Kingswear's Station for the return trip to Paignton's Queen's Park Station.

As Goliath departs, a time for quiet reflection on the day's journey; much about keeping the 'Heritage Dream Alive' in this magical part of Devon-a celebration of a bygone era with that resurrected nostalgia that still captures the Hearts and Minds of many.

What better way to discover the River Dart's beauty, magic and atmosphere.

Sydney Hodges best summed up this mood in his poem entitled: The River Dart:

"I've never known a fairer scene,

A beauty matched with thine sweet Dart!

Thou leav'st, like some soft passing dream,

An endless memory on the heart".

Charm, scenic beauty, allure and fascination

In conclusion, this article, has only scratched the surface of this captivating area alive with so much charm, scenic beauty, allure and fascination.

This unique celebration of age and spirit of the River Dart and her wedded entourage of celebratory vintage transportation has recently been enhanced with a contractual agreement for the vessel Kingswear Castle to stay in her home Port of Dartmouth for the next 25 years.

In the interim, her maintenance requirements are ongoing with the need to maintain her waterborne status.

The environs of Dartmouth and the River Dart have so much to offer and discover whether it is an away day or for a more protracted stay.

The World is your Oyster and it is with the individual to discover the Pearls.

www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk