Kingswear

Kingswear is a village and civil parish in Devon, England. It lies on the eastern bank of the River Dart, opposite the town of Dartmouth, and is part of the South Hams district. The settlement is connected to Dartmouth by a regular foot passenger ferry across the river and is the northern terminus of the Dartmouth Steam Railway, with heritage trains running from Paignton to Kingswear and continuing to Dartmouth by ferry.

The parish covers the village and surrounding area, including the hamlet of Upper Kingswear. The landscape is coastal and residential, with viewpoints that overlook the estuary and river traffic. A notable feature is Kingswear Castle, a 19th-century Martello-style coastal defence fort guarding the mouth of the River Dart. The fort remains a visible landmark on the riverbank and forms part of the historic character of the area.

In governance terms, Kingswear Parish Council represents local interests, while the civil parish falls within the South Hams district council for broader administrative matters and is under the remit of Devon County Council for strategic services. The economy is modest and largely supported by tourism, local services, and the nearby maritime and heritage attractions. Visitors commonly use the ferry link to Dartmouth and ride the steam railway for scenic trips along the coast.

Kingswear is known for its quiet, rural character within the South Hams area, offering river views, historic sites, and convenient access to ferries and heritage rail travel, making it a traditional gateway to the Dartmouth area.