What a perfect day to do the Round Robin trip from Paignton to Dartmouth and on to Totnes before returning to Paignton.

Day 34: Round Robin

Our starting point was Paignton, which was about a half hour drive from our home base in Chudleigh. We left early as we were worried about getting an all day park but drove straight in to a parking spot when we arrived so had time up our sleeve before the first leg of our tour.

Paignton to Kingswear

The first leg of our journey was a 30 minute steam train ride from Paignton to Kingswear.

The train roughly followed the River Dart and when we reached our destination we had to catch a ferry across the river to Dartmouth.

As we walked along the platform we noticed that the train carriages had names and there was one called Dave! What a photo opportunity!

Kingswear to Dartmouth

The shortest leg of our Round Robin tour was the passenger ferry across the Dart to probably the only station in Britain that has never had a railway – at Dartmouth.

Funny to have a plaque to commemorate something that really doesn’t exist.

We had an hour or so before the next leg of our trip so had a short walk around town

and wandered into a park where there was a celebration of something happening. It turned out to be a Town Crier competition!

We approached one of the Town Criers to ask what it was all about and – what a coincidence – he happened to be the Australian Champion Town Crier from Toowoomba, Queensland! Kevin Howarth was here competing in the Armada Cup, a 3 day event that takes place at Plymouth, Kingsbridge and where we caught up with them, Dartmouth.

Dartmouth is also home to the Royal Naval College, perched on the hillside overlooking the town.

Dartmouth to Totnes

After enjoying a very messy icecream while watching youngsters crabbing along the sea wall it was time to board a boat for the next leg of our journey, a 90 minute trip up the River Dart to Totnes (totness).

Totnes to Paignton

We disembarked in Totnes and walked along the river front while waiting for the last leg of the Round Robin tour, an open topped double-decker bus back to Paignton where our trip began.

Up we went to the top deck to really see the sights! I felt like I had to duck my head as we travelled the narrow roads with trees forming a canopy overhead.

What a day! It was the most perfect weather with sunshine and clear blue skies. We haven’t done too many ‘touristy’ things so far but I would definitely recommend this for a great day out. Thanks Richard & Gwen for recommending it.

More about the Round Robin and towns it visits here