What's On

6th - 9th February

Dart Music Festival

16th - 18th May

Street Village Fair

2nd August
 

5th - 9th August

Dartmouth Regatta

28^th August - 30^th August

The first Recorded Regatta in Dartmouth was in 1822. There were three sailing races, one six-oared gig race, and a military band played out at the Dartmouth Castle and 120 attended a ball.

In 1834 the Regatta, which used to be run by leading gentlemen of the neighbourhood, changed its format when the inhabitants of the Town called a meeting and elected a Committee of their own.

In 1856 it became a Royal Regatta when an unscheduled visit by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales came into Dartmouth because of bad weather in a flotilla of nine boats, the day before the scheduled Regatta, 11th August. Prince Albert and his son went up to Sharpham Point in the new steamboat Dartmouth which had arrived on the river only the previous day. The Queen followed in the State Barge, going as far as Dittisham. The Queen came ashore at 6 pm and was met by the Town Mayor. The Queen then drove in a carriage over 'The Ridges' to locally known 'Black House' at the junction of Jaw Bones/Swannaton Road/Stoke Fleming Road. She was accompanied by Sir H.F. Seale on horseback. That night there were special illuminations both ashore and afloat. The Queen donated £25. Prince Albert gave £20. for three rowing races to be competed for by the sailors of Dartmouth and this was done on the second day of the Regatta. The Queen the next day sailed on to Plymouth but before leaving bestowed the title of 'Royal' on the Regatta. We write each year to the Monarch for Royal Patronage. The Patron now is Prince Andrew., the Duke of York.

Kingsbridge Agricultural Show

2^nd September

Celebrates 124 years since its inception. It is being held, for the 52nd year, at Borough Farm, one mile north of Kingsbridge on the A381. Grid reference SX747474.

Kingsbridge Show continues to grow whilst trying to maintain that local feel, keeping it's traditional agricultural and horticultural roots.

Horses feature strongly in the show. They have their own show field, with events running right through the day. Horse judging begins at 9am.

There is something for everyone - and so much to see and do - it's a great family day out whether you farm, ride or just want to see "a little piece of rural England" and enjoy the atmosphere.

Dartmouth Fishing Festival

4^th - 6^th October

A three day event open to all anglers. The competition takes place from boats, shore and wreck.

Dartmouth Food Festival

8^th - 12^th October

Now in its fourth year, the Dartmouth Festival of Food aims to showcase local produce and culinary skills in and around beautiful Dartmouth.  Working with South Hams Food and Drink Association the aim is to provide a fun and rewarding environment for visitors and locals to learn about and taste great food and drink.

The heart of the Festival will be the historic Market Square where a marquee will be erected to provide a weather proof environment for a rolling series of cooking demonstrations, farmers market, wine tasting and much more.  Cooking shacks will give visitors a chance to meet local chefs and producers and try recipes that will be designed to stimulate your taste buds.

Other Festival events will be staged around the town and in the surrounding area.  Participating restaurants will host individual events ranging from specially devised tasting menus to food and wine matching.

The festival takes place from the 12^th to the 14^th of October.

If you would like to be kept abreast of the programme as it develops or would like to see something special on the programme then please email james@brownshoteldartmouth.co.uk who will then send you regular email updates about the festival.  Tickets for the Festival can also be reserved at the same address.