The harbour authority of Dart Harbour has recently upgraded the tendering arrangements for cruise vessels calling at Dartmouth (England). According to a recent report, the improvements include ISPS-certified landing facilities not only at the central Town Jetty — where tenders for most visiting ships berth — but also at two major shore-side excursion spots: Greenway House (the former summer residence of the writer often dubbed the “Queen of Crime”) and Kingswear Steam Railway at Kingswear, enabling direct tender access from ship to destination.
For vessels deploying Zodiac-style tenders, a dedicated low-freeboard berth has been established in the heart of town to facilitate safer and easier disembarkation.
Greenway House lies along the River Dart and is reachable by a scenic ferry or tender ride from Dartmouth; its history stretches back to the era of Sir Walter Raleigh, who once moored his ship in the river nearby. The estate later served as the summer home of a prominent crime-fiction author, and its name and legacy remain compelling draws for cruise passengers seeking literary connections.
Meanwhile, Kingswear Steam Railway offers a complementary excursion: passengers landing at the Kingswear tender berth may transfer directly to the train station, from which the railway wind along wooded riverbanks, traverse viaducts and tunnels, and reach the coastline. Many cruise visitors combine this rail journey with a boat trip along the Dart or a visit to regional market towns — a contrast to the more typical coach-based excursions.
With these enhancements, cruise lines calling at Dartmouth will be able to deliver guests directly to key heritage and scenic destinations without dependence on coaches, simplifying disembarkation logistics and enriching the excursion offerings available on shore.