The Dartmouth Regatta is one of those bucket list events you simply have to see. It’s a marvellous mash-up of water-based competitions, land-based contests, foodie feasts, community parties, live music and a fabulous fireworks display. But how best to experience it? Read the Leonard Cove guide to making the most of the 2024 Dartmouth Regatta and find out.
The Dartmouth Regatta, or to give it its full title: the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, was first staged in 1822 and is always held over a Thursday, Friday and Saturday that includes the last Friday in August. This year, the Dartmouth Regatta 2024 runs from Thursday August 29th to Saturday 31st.
A premium sailing event - the Dartmouth Royal Regatta Sailing Week - is also staged as part of the regatta each year. It draws around 250 entries, making it the UK’s second largest sailing regatta after Cowes Week. In 2024, the Sailing Week will be held from Saturday 24th August to September 1st.
One of the best things about the sailing at the Dartmouth Regatta in 2024 is that it encompasses all kinds of vessels, from yachts and keelboats to gaffers and dinghies. It also includes all abilities - from ultra-serious yachting competitors, to people who just enjoy pootling about in boats.
If serious sailing is your thing, book accommodation to include Tuesday August 27th through to Saturday 31st. This means you can take in the Savills Passage Race, which runs from Brixham to Dartmouth - good vantage points include Berry Head off Torbay and Froward Point on the eastern mouth of the River Dart.
You’ll also get to see the top-notch yacht and dayboat sailing which takes place in Start Bay, just south of Dartmouth. Superb vantage points run from Little Dartmouth, to the west of the mouth of the Dart, to Blackpool Sands - in fact right in front of us here at Leonards Cove.
Other sailing events in the Dartmouth Regatta 2024 include the Gaffers racing in Start Bay on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st, and dinghy racing in the River Dart, when a wealth of Toppers, Lasers and Solos take to the waters between Dartmouth and Kingswear.
For many, the rowing will be another top highlight of the Dartmouth Regatta 2024. Again, there’s an impressive variety of crafts and competition will be fierce. Here are some of our favourites:
West of England Amateur Rowing Association Championships Thurs 29th
See skilled rowers battle it out on a 1000 metre course between the Higher and Lower Ferries. Craft include eights, coxed fours and double and single sculls.
Pilot Gig Racing Day TBC
Watch six-strong crews compete in 32-ft long, clinker built boats that were originally used to race to be the first to get their pilots aboard ships coming into port.
Coastal Rowing Day TBC
Cheer on as coxed and un-coxed sculls row out of the river, around the Mewstone and back in impressive races of 6-8km.
Local Rowing Fri 30th
Watch local crews battle it out in the hotly-contested whaler racing - arguably the local highlight of Dartmouth Regatta 2024.
Bungee Rowing Day TBC
Laugh as crews of four try to row a whaler the furthest, despite being attached by a bungee chord to the Town Pontoon.
One of the most satisfying things about Dartmouth Regatta 2024 is that it’s not all about the water. There’s a superb schedule of land-based competitions too. Look out for these highlights
Tennis Tournament Two events, Local and Open, with a wide range of categories in both. Held beside the river at Coronation Park.
Road Race Dartmouth has plenty of hills, which makes the road race, over a 5.1 mile course, an impressive event. Look out too for the youth race and a fun run.
Dog Show Your chance to enter your four-legged friend in a wealth of fun classes. No need to book - just turn up.
There’s loads for families to love about the Dartmouth Regatta 2024, with plenty of contests for kids and families. Highlights include the Waterborne Treasure Hunt and a Shore Scavenger Hunt, as well as your chance to Spot the Oddity in the windows of local shops.
You can also compete in the Junior Crabbing Competition, fancy dress, a pavement artist contest and - a very popular one with the kids - an ice cream eating contest.
Dartmouth is a delightful town year-round and during the Dartmouth Regatta 2024 there’s even more to enjoy. Our top tips:
Shop till you drop Explore a wealth of superb independent stores, featuring everything from swish lifestyle and clothing shops, to gourmet food and quirky art.
Take in some music Head to the Royal Avenue Gardens in the heart of town to enjoy sets played from the historic bandstand.
Enjoy the party Join the regatta’s family entertainment, Morris Dancing, stalls and fairground games. And sup a pint with the rowing competitors at pubs all around town.
Dartmouth Regatta 2024 is also a chance to sample great food ranging from burgers, hotdogs, fudge and ice cream, to prime local meats, shellfish and net-fresh fish. Food stalls pepper the town during regatta week while the local cafes and restaurants offer great deals.
Be sure to book at table at Kendricks Restaurant, the sister venue to Kendricks at our Leonards Cove site. Our Dartmouth restaurant is set right in the heart of the regatta action, beside the picturesque boat float. At Kendricks, you can be sure of a vibrant atmosphere and fresh, local, seasonal ingredients cooked up with flair.
And our final tip to making the most of the Dartmouth Regatta 2024? Book your accommodation early to be sure of somewhere to sleep. And book at Leonards Cove one of the Best South Devon Holiday Parks to ensure a fantastic stay.
At just 11 miles from Dartmouth, our stunning clifftop location is perfectly placed for enjoying the regatta. A gorgeous clifftop setting ensures you look out onto cracking sea views - and some of the sailing events. While our wide range of accommodation suits all budgets, from tents and campervans to luxury mobile homes, delightful cottages and stylish lodges - all with sweeping sea views.
Our acclaimed on-site Kendricks restaurant rustles up fine grilled meats and fish, gourmet burgers and a great range of vegetarian food. Add wi-fi, a laundry service and a strong environmental ethos, and you have the idea base the make the very most of the Dartmouth Regatta 2024.
If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that there is absolutely no shortage of pretty villages in South Devon. Framed by luscious countryside, atmospheric moors, and glistening coast, the area’s hidden gems and picturesque pockets never fail to inspire awe in all those with visit. Full of character and radiating charm, each one has a unique appeal and awaits for year-round adventures.
Originating from a high moorland plateau in Dartmoor and meandering its way down to the sea at Dartmouth, the River Dart is one of Devon’s most scenic waterways and home to an array of wildlife from seals to dolphins, as well as must-visit attractions like Agatha Christie’s Greenway.
On a staycation, nothing compares to a day on the beach, and in South Devon, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the best beaches, as it has around 120 miles of coastline and over 50 beaches waiting to be explored. But with so much choice, narrowing down a beach that will keep all members of the family entertained can be tricky.
If you’re planning a getaway during the UK summer holidays 2025, Dartmouth should be high on your list. This Devon town offers everything families, couples, and groups need for a memorable coastal escape: stunning views, beautiful beaches, top-notch food, and enough adventure to fill your entire break.
For anyone visiting South Devon, Bayard’s Cove Fort (formerly known as Berescove and Bearscore Castle) is one of the most magical attractions hidden in plain sight. Located on the banks of the River Dart close to Dartmouth Harbour, it has a history stretching back hundreds of years and is still a beloved feature of the town. One of the area’s last lines of defence, it has played an integral part in Dartmouth’s history since the Tudors and is a must-visit for history buffs of all generations.
One of Dartmouth’s oldest traditions and a must-visit for lovers of all things maritime, the annual Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta returns to celebrate its 180th year in 2025.
Taking place from 28 - 30 August, with a family fun weekend on 23 - 25 August, prepare for an action-packed celebration of all things river and sea.
There’s a packed timetable of events, including rowing and sailing competitions, raft races, river parades and a steamboat rally, and plenty to get involved in shoreside too. The Dartmouth Regatta attracts a huge number of competitors from serious sailors to amateur enthusiasts, providing a raft of entertainment for everyone.
Keep reading to discover the Leonard’s Cove guide to the Dartmouth Regatta.
Spanning roughly 125 miles from the coastal town of Seaton to the port city of Plymouth, the South Devon Coast is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt segments of the British coastline. Much of South Devon’s coast is protected and designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, providing a haven for native wildlife.
Home to over 50 beaches, many renowned for their clear, clean waters, ranging from vast golden stretches to rugged, rocky coves, South Devon’s coast is famed for its varied landscapes, natural beauty and welcoming seaside towns.
If you’re headed to South Devon this summer, a visit to the coast is a must. We’ve put together a guide to the different ways you can experience this beautiful stretch of our county, enabling you to see South Devon’s highlights from land and sea.
Dartmouth Castle is one of Devon’s most iconic historic landmarks. Steeped in 600 years of history, the castle, which is perched on the edge of the River Dart estuary, is still a remarkable site today. Originally built to protect the town of Dartmouth from invaders, the castle evolved over centuries into the attraction that both visitors to Leonard’s Cove love today. In this guide, we uncover some of Dartmouth Castle’s fascinating history and offer insights into the region’s long maritime past.
With sweeping views, rugged moorland and famous trails, Dartmoor National Park walks are unbeatable. There are a variety of family-friendly trails taking in scenic moorlands, wild woodlands, tumbling waterfalls and more