# River Dart

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The **River Dart** is a [river](/source/River) in [Devon](/source/Devon), England, that [rises](/source/Source_(river)) high on [Dartmoor](/source/Dartmoor) and flows for 75 kilometres (47 mi) to the sea at [Dartmouth](/source/Dartmouth,_Devon).[1]

## Name

Most [hydronyms](/source/Hydronym) in England derive from the [Brythonic language](/source/Common_Brittonic) (from which the river's subsequent names ultimately derive from an original [Celtic](/source/Celtic_languages) etymology. As the lower stretches of the river are still covered in ancient [oak](/source/Oak) woodlands, it is accepted that the first element derives from *dar-*, meaning 'oak' (Cornish: *derow*, Welsh: *derw*).[2] However the second element (evident in the hard consonantal termination of *Dar-t*) is less certain, with postulated etymologies from *Darwent* / *Derventio* ('sacred place of oak') or *Darnant* / *Darant* ('oak stream').

The [Ravenna Cosmography](/source/Ravenna_Cosmography) records a number of [Latinised](/source/Latinisation_of_names) names for the area, *Devionisso Statio* and *Deventiasteno* may represent corrupted doublets of a *statio* ('station') on a river named *Derventio*.[3] Although the name *Derventio* is otherwise unattested for the river, it is an established etymology throughout Britain, found at the [River Darent](/source/River_Darent), [Derwentwater](/source/Derwentwater), and a number of rivers named [Derwent](/source/River_Derwent_(disambiguation)).[4] [Anna Eliza Bray](/source/Anna_Eliza_Bray) recorded that a version of the name, *Darant* was still in common usage as late as 1832.[5]

## Watercourse

The river begins as two separate branches (the [East Dart](/source/East_Dart) and [West Dart](/source/West_Dart)), which join at [Dartmeet](/source/Dartmeet). The paths along these rivers offer very attractive walking, and there are several small [waterfalls](/source/Waterfall). The rivers are crossed by a number of [clapper bridges](/source/Clapper_bridge), notably at the [hamlet](/source/Hamlet_(place)) of [Postbridge](/source/Postbridge,_Devon).

After leaving the moor, the Dart flows southwards past [Buckfast Abbey](/source/Buckfast_Abbey) and through the towns of [Buckfastleigh](/source/Buckfastleigh), [Dartington](/source/Dartington) and [Totnes](/source/Totnes). At Totnes, where there is a seventeenth-century [weir](/source/Weir) (rebuilt in the 1960s),[6] it becomes [tidal](/source/Tide), and there are no bridges below the town.

A passenger ferry operates across the river from the village of [Dittisham](/source/Dittisham) to a point adjacent to the [Greenway Estate](/source/Greenway_Estate). Formerly the home of the crime writer [Agatha Christie](/source/Agatha_Christie), this has views across the river, and the house and gardens are now owned by the [National Trust](/source/National_Trust_for_Places_of_Historic_Interest_or_Natural_Beauty) and are open to the public.[7]

The entrance to the river from the sea is a rocky entrance with cliffs either side. On the East side [Kingswear Castle](/source/Kingswear_Castle) sits very close to the water's edge, and on the west side [Dartmouth Castle](/source/Dartmouth_Castle) is built on a rocky [promontory](/source/Promontory) at sea level. The castles once operated a [defensive chain](/source/Boom_(navigational_barrier)) across the estuary, which was raised at dusk to destroy enemy ships attempting to attack the harbour.

## Crossings

The flooded ria that forms the lower reaches of the Dart, with its deep water and steeply sloping valley sides, is a considerable barrier to crossing traffic. There are no bridges below [Totnes](/source/Totnes).

At the mouth of the river, it separates the communities of [Dartmouth](/source/Dartmouth,_Devon) and [Kingswear](/source/Kingswear). There have been proposals to bridge the river here, but these have come to nothing. Instead the two places are linked by, in order going upstream, the [Lower Ferry](/source/Dartmouth_Lower_Ferry), [Passenger Ferry](/source/Dartmouth_Passenger_Ferry) and [Higher Ferry](/source/Dartmouth_Higher_Ferry). The Lower and Higher ferries both carry vehicles, the Higher one linking the [A379 road](/source/A379_road).

Some 2.5 miles (4.0 km) upstream of Dartmouth, the [Greenway Ferry](/source/Greenway_Ferry) carries pedestrians across the river from the village of [Dittisham](/source/Dittisham) to Greenway Quay.[7]

A further 5 miles (8.0 km) upstream is Totnes, where the river is spanned by two road bridges, a railway bridge and a footbridge over. Totnes Bridge is the nearest bridge to the sea and is a road bridge built in 1826–1828 by Charles Fowler. Some 1,000 feet (300 m) upstream is Brutus Bridge, constructed in 1982 as part of a road traffic-relief scheme and carrying the concurrent [A385](/source/A385_road) and [A381 roads](/source/A381_road). A further 0.5 miles (0.80 km) upstream, the railway bridge carries the [National Rail](/source/National_Rail) [Exeter to Plymouth line](/source/Exeter_to_Plymouth_line) over the river. Immediately upstream of the railway bridge is a footbridge, built in 1993 to provide access to the terminus of the [South Devon Railway](/source/South_Devon_Railway_Trust).[8][9][10]

## Navigation

The lower section of the River Dart forms Dartmouth Harbour, a deep water natural harbour with a long history of maritime usage. In modern times, the port's commercial activity has declined, but it is still a busy port for local [fishing vessels](/source/Fishing_vessel) and a wide variety of [yachts](/source/Yacht) and other private boats. Several local companies specialise in shipbuilding and repairs to small tonnage craft.[11]

[Dartmouth](/source/Dartmouth,_Devon) is also the home of the [Britannia Royal Naval College](/source/Britannia_Royal_Naval_College) and as a result is routinely visited by sizeable [naval ships](/source/Naval_ship). Smaller naval tenders are often seen carrying out training exercises in the harbour and river. Large [cruise ships](/source/Cruise_ship) are occasional visitors, with the largest visitor to date being the [MV *Royal Princess*](/source/MV_Royal_Princess_(2007)) (>).[11][12]

Upstream, the Dart is navigable to seagoing vessels as far as the weir in [Totnes](/source/Totnes). The river almost dries out for 2 miles (3.2 km) below Totnes at [spring tide](/source/Spring_tide) low water, but vessels drawing up to 3 feet (0.91 m) can proceed to Totnes from one and a half hours after low water. Above the weir, the river is navigable only to small craft such as [kayaks](/source/Kayak) and [canoes](/source/Canoe).[13]

Several companies operate trips on the river, including [Dart Pleasure Craft Limited](/source/Dart_Pleasure_Craft_Limited), who also trade as *River Link* and operate the [passenger ferry](/source/Dartmouth_Passenger_Ferry) between Dartmouth and [Kingswear](/source/Kingswear). These include cruises from Dartmouth to Totnes, which can be combined with journeys on the [Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway](/source/Paignton_and_Dartmouth_Steam_Railway) and an [open-top bus](/source/Open_top_bus) between the towns of Totnes and [Paignton](/source/Paignton) to create a circular trip.[14]

The harbour and port are both leisure boating locations, and several [marinas](/source/Marina) and [boat yards](/source/Boat_yard) are located on the river. The [Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta](/source/Port_of_Dartmouth_Royal_Regatta) takes place annually over three days at the end of August.

## Canoeing and kayaking

The upper reaches of [Dartmoor](/source/Dartmoor), especially those on the Dart, are a focal point for [whitewater kayakers](/source/Whitewater_kayaking) and [canoeists](/source/Canoeists). The best known sections of the river are:

- *[Upper Dart](/source/Upper_Dart)* from [Dartmeet](/source/Dartmeet) to [Newbridge](/source/Newbridge,_River_Dart) ([Grade](/source/International_Scale_of_River_Difficulty) 3/4 (higher in high water), advanced run).[15]
- *[The Loop](/source/The_Loop,_River_Dart)* from Newbridge to [Holne Bridge](/source/Holne_Bridge) (Grade 2/3, beginner/intermediate run).[15]
- *[The Lower](/source/The_Lower,_River_Dart)* from Holne Bridge to [Buckfastleigh](/source/Buckfastleigh) (Grade 2, beginner section).[16]

Sections of the East and West Dart above Dartmeet, as well as the [Webburn](/source/River_Webburn) are also paddled when conditions permit. This is somewhat controversial, as riparian landowners and those responsible for local fisheries maintain that the East and West Dart should not be paddled.

The lower reaches of the Dart, including the estuary are suitable for flat water touring.

## See also

- [Rivers of the United Kingdom](/source/Rivers_of_the_United_Kingdom)
- [Rolls-Royce Dart](/source/Rolls-Royce_Dart), a turboprop engine named after the river

## References

1. ["Devon;Nature Features: River Dart Ramble"](http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/articles/2006/04/19/dart_ramble_feature.shtml#:~:text=From%20source%20to%20sea,%20the%20River%20Dart%20is,day%20or%20half-day%20walks%20from%20the%20highlights%20below.). BBC. Retrieved 23 January 2021.

1. ISBN 0-19-852758-6 Oxford Dictionary of British Place Names

1. Todd, Malcolm (23 June 2014). [*The South West to 1000 AD*](https://books.google.com/books?id=pvPgAwAAQBAJ&q=ravenna+cosmography+river+dart&pg=PT305). Routledge. ISBN 9781317871637. Retrieved 29 April 2021.

1. Whaley, Diana (2006). *A dictionary of Lake District place-names*. Nottingham: English Place-Name Society. pp. lx,423 p.95. ISBN 0904889726.

1. Bray, Mrs Anna Eliza (1836). [*A Description of the Part of Devonshire Bordering on the Tamar and the Tavy ...*](https://books.google.com/books?id=PpmOIoehptUC&pg=PA16). Vol. 1. p. 16. Retrieved 2013-05-29. – via [Google Books](/source/Google_Books)

1. ["Swallowfield Weir, Totnes"](http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=MDV9033&resourceID=104). *Devon and Dartmoor Historic Environment Record*. Historic England. Retrieved 8 July 2016.

1. ["Dittisham Departures"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080515072801/http://www.greenwayferry.co.uk/dittishamdepartures.htm). Greenway Ferry Service. Archived from [the original](http://www.greenwayferry.co.uk/dittishamdepartures.htm) on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-24.

1. Bridget Cherry & Nikolaus Pevsner (1989). *The Buildings of England — Devon*. Harmondsworth: Penguin. pp. 866–875. ISBN 0-14-071050-7.

1. Hawkins, Michael (1988). *Devon Roads: An illustrated survey of the development and management of Devon's highway network*. Exeter: Devon Books. p. 52. ISBN 0-86114-817-7.

1. Taylor, Alan & Treglown, Peter (May 1999). *South Devon Railway - A Visitors Guide*. South Devon Railway Trust. pp. 23–28.

1. ["Commercial Vessels Guide"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080912045700/http://www.dartharbour.org/commercial-vessels-guide/). Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority. Archived from [the original](http://www.dartharbour.org/commercial-vessels-guide/) on 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-25.

1. ["Visiting Ships"](http://www.dartharbour.org/visiting-ships/). Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority. Retrieved 2008-09-25.

1. ["Sailing Directions"](http://www.dartharbour.org/harbour-river-guide/sailing-directions/). Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority. Retrieved 2008-09-25.

1. ["River Trips"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080627232152/http://www.dartharbour.org/harbour-river-guide/river-trips/). Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority. Archived from [the original](http://www.dartharbour.org/harbour-river-guide/river-trips/) on 27 June 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-25.

1. Howard., Mark Rainsley, BCU Access and. ["River Dart - New Bridge to Holne Bridge - the 'Loop' - South West - England - Rivers - The UK Rivers Guidebook"](http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/swengland/dart.htm). *ukriversguidebook.co.uk*

1. Access., Mark Rainsley, also Chris Green, Stuart Woodward and Dart. ["River Dart - Holne Bridge to Buckfastleigh - South West - England - Rivers - The UK Rivers Guidebook"](http://www.ukriversguidebook.co.uk/swengland/lowerdart.htm). *ukriversguidebook.co.uk*

## External links

- [Devon Wildlife Trust's Dart Catchment Project](http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/index.php?section=champions:cycleau)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [River Dart](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Dart) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Dart?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.