River Dart
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The River Dart is a river in Devon, UK. The river rises on Dartmoor, as two separate branches (the East Dart and West Dart), which join at Dartmeet. The paths along these rivers offer very attractive walking, and there are several small waterfalls. The rivers are crossed by a number of clapper bridges, notably at the hamlet of Postbridge.
After leaving the moor, the Dart flows southwards past Buckfast Abbey and through the towns of Buckfastleigh, Dartington and Totnes. At Totnes, where there is a seventeenth century weir (rebuilt in the 1960's), it becomes tidal, and there are no bridges below this point. A passenger ferry operates between the villages of Dittisham and Greenway, the latter being the location of the estate of the late crime writer Agatha Christie which has stunning views across the river. The house and gardens are now owned by the National Trust and are open for public use.
The Dart estuary is a large ria and is popular for sailing. The village of Kingswear and town of Dartmouth are on the east and west sides of the estuary, and are linked by two vehicle ferries and a passenger ferry. The deep water port of Dartmouth is a sheltered haven.
The entrance to the river from the sea is a rocky entrance with cliffs either side. On the East side Kingswear Castle sits very close to the water's edge, and on the west side Dartmouth castle is built on a rocky promentary at sea level. The castles once operated a defensive chain across the estuary, which was raised at dusk to destroy enemy ships attempting to attack the harbour. The remains of the operating machanisms for the chain are still visible in Dartmouth castle.
The river takes its name from a Celtic word meaning 'many oaks' due to the banks of the lower Dart being covered in ancient woods of native oak.
The River Dart is the source of much folklore on Dartmoor, where it is traditionally respected and feared - the waters have a tendency to rise without notice following heavy rainfall on the moors above, adding to the dangers of its rapids and powerful currents. This gave rise to the couplet:
- "River of Dart, Oh River of Dart!
- Every year thou claimest a heart."
