The 168th Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta takes place from Thursday 30th August to Saturday 1st September 2012 and it promises to be the best one yet!

The Regatta is based around a programme of rowing and sailing events, but also incorporates a busy programme of activities including air displays, fireworks, a large fair, sporting events and many other smaller events that happen in and around the town centre which will ensure that visitors to Dartmouth will never want for spectacles to watch. 

For those who wish to actively participate there are sports of every description, including tennis, swimming, rowing and running, and there are plethora of other events ranging from pavement painting, a photographic competition, a crab fishing competition the infamous "Spot the Oddity".

The two firework displays, which will take place on Thursday 30th August and Saturday 1 September at 21:00 are expected to be watched by approximately 50,000 people who line the viewing points on both Dartmouth and Kingswear banks, so please make sure to utilise the park & ride arrangements when coming to the town as there is no parking in the town itself.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the Red Arrows, the RAF Aerobatic Team, have been tasked to display at the Regatta on Friday 31st August.  This year the Red Arrows will learn to fly in an unusual seven formation.  The team usually flies with nine aircraft but its first female pilot moved to a ground-based role earlier this year following the very sad loss of two Red Arrows pilots last year.

Nearly 100,000 people visit Dartmouth during the Regatta period, swelling the town’s population of approximately 6,000 and making Dartmouth Regatta one of the largest public events in the South West, and the second largest Regatta in the UK after Cowes Week. 

Please click HERE for more details on the 168th Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta.

Yes the South Devon Crab Festival is back, bigger and better than ever before! The festival started on Monday and runs all week until Sunday 5th August. Why not take part in this fantastic week of events dedicated to the celebration of South Devon Crab, one of the regions finest natural resources. Enjoy the delights of this wonderful seafood at one of the street parties throughout South Devon, learn about their habitats and the importance of sustainability in fishing for them or take part in one of our crabby trails around the region. You can discover crab in so many ways! There are a huge number of activities throughout the week across the South Hams but if you want to stay close to Coastal Retreats there are two great events you won't want to miss.

Thursday 2nd August
Monty Halls Talks Crab, The Royal Castle, Dartmouth. 6.00 – 7.30pm
TV Presenter and Explorer Monty Halls talks about the sustainability of Crab and the importance of it to our Community.

Sunday 5th August
Dartmouth Crab Street Party
Taking place alongside the River Dart, on the Quay in Dartmouth, this fantastic Crab Street Party also sees South Devon Crab on the menu, as well as music and entertainment for all. An excellent day out for the whole family. Tickets available to book online.