Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Natural Monuments

Gallants Bower Civil War Fort Ruins

Natural Monuments

Gallants Bower Civil War Fort Ruins

Highlight • Viewpoint

Gallants Bower Civil War Fort Ruins

Name: Gallants Bower Civil War Fort Ruins
Rating: 2

Recommended by 20 hikers

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: South Devon National Landscape

Save

Location: Dartmouth, South Hams, Devon, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Save

See hikes here

Take Me There

Routes here

Best Hikes to Gallants Bower Civil War Fort Ruins

4.9

(67)

526

hikers

1. Dartmouth Castle & Compass Cove loop from Kingswear — South Devon

10.3km

03:00

280m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Intermediate

4.8

(17)

129

hikers

2. Dartmouth Town, Harbour & Castle loop — South Devon

6.25km

01:56

230m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

4.8

(4)

hikers

3. Compass Cove & Gallants Bower loop from Dartmouth Castle — South Devon

3.31km

01:02

130m

120m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Easy

Tips

51m

May 26, 2023

Gallants Bower is the remains of a fort built during the English Civil War. Today it's just the earth works and trees have grown on the slopes, but you can still see why this site was chosen in 1643. The views are amazing, both inland and out to sea so it's a perfect defensible position.
The fort was built by the Royalists to help defend Dartmouth from the Roundheads. The fiercest fighting occurred in 1646 when the Roundheads attacked and defeated the town, then the castle and finally the last remaining Royalists surrendered from here.
The National Trust look after the area now and the fort is a scheduled ancient monument.

Patrick

May 7, 2021

A fantastic view point with 360° views

Andy Smith

December 6, 2020

From the National Trust, who own this site:
Although now just a ruin, the Civil War fort is still an impressive place to explore with amazing 360-degree views across the estuary and inland.
Stand with the Royalists at a Civil War fort
Built between 1643 and 1645 to defend Dartmouth against the Parliamentarians, it saw the fiercest action in 1646, when it came under attack from Roundhead forces under General Fairfax. The Royalists having already fled the town and the castle finally retreated to Gallants Bower where they soon surrendered.
Four years later the fort was dismantled. It is now one of the best-preserved in the country and is a Scheduled and Listed Ancient Monument.
A great time to visit is when all the bluebells are out in late April – early May.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 170 m

Weather

Today

Saturday 25 October

12°C

9°C

10 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Dartmouth, South Hams, Devon, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sugary Cove

Broadsands Beach

View of Froward Cove and the English Channel

Blackpool Sands

Greenway House (Agatha Christie's Holiday Home)

Churston Court

Goodrington Sands North Beach

View of Mill Bay

View of the Coast at Little Dartmouth

View of Dartmouth from Jawbones Hill

Compass Cove Beach

View of St Mary's Bay

Gallants Bower Civil War Fort Ruins

1. Dartmouth Castle & Compass Cove loop from Kingswear — South Devon

2. Dartmouth Town, Harbour & Castle loop — South Devon

3. Compass Cove & Gallants Bower loop from Dartmouth Castle — South Devon

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️