Kingswear Castle

Kingswear Castle is a square fortress near the mouth of the River Dart with three stories and ground-level gun ports for cannons. The building sits directly at the water's edge and shows the typical design of coastal defense structures from the early 16th century.

The fort was built between 1491 and 1502 and formed part of a defense system with Dartmouth Castle across the river mouth. Together these two fortifications were meant to stop French raiders and protect the Dart harbor.

The structure represents early British military engineering with its ground-floor gun mounting system and strategic positioning for harbor defense.

The building is now a holiday rental managed by a conservation trust, reached via a narrow unmade road suitable only for small vehicles. Visitors should walk the final stretch and expect tight spaces and steep stairs inside.

The castle's ground-floor gun ports were positioned close to water level, making it one of the earliest purpose-built artillery fortifications in Britain.

Location: Kingswear

Inception: 1491

Website: https://landmarktrust.org.uk/search-and-book/properties/kingswear-castle-8737#Overview

GPS coordinates: 50.34214,-3.55981

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:51