Dartmouth in Winter: How The Town Feels like When Everyone Is Home For Christmas.

Dartmouth in Winter: A Walk to the Castle and Warfleet

Dartmouth feels very different in winter, especially away from the busy tourist season. This post shares a January walk to the castle and surrounding areas, including Warfleet, and how the town feels at this quieter time of year.

A Slippery Walk to Dartmouth Castle

On the 10th of January 2026, my dad and I went out for a walk to Dartmouth Castle. It was a lovely day, but the paths were slippery in places due to the winter weather.

Dartmouth Castle is a historic attraction that can sometimes have an eerie or slightly creepy atmosphere, especially on quiet days. In winter, with fewer people around, this feeling is even more noticeable.

St Petroc Church and the Graveyard

Next to the castle is St Petroc Church, which has a small graveyard. Like the castle, it can feel a bit creepy at times, particularly on grey days when the area is very quiet.

Warfleet Beach and Old Buildings

At Warfleet Beach, there is a very old disused lime kiln, as well as a parking area for boats and watercraft, which people have to pay to use.

There is also a private boat workshop shed nearby, where a man is sometimes seen working on boat engines. In the same area, there used to be an old pottery factory, which closed many years ago and has since been converted into a block of flats.

The Closed Road Out of Dartmouth

The road leading out to the castle from the rest of Dartmouth town is currently permanently closed due to a broken wall. This has caused ongoing arguments locally about who should be responsible for paying for the repairs.