New interpretation at Dartmouth Castle uses animations, panels, sound and video installations, and a 3D model of the castle complex to help visitors discover over 600 years of Dartmouth's history.

Designed to be family friendly, visitors can try on helmets and get hands on with cannon balls fired from the castle's guns. There's also an explorer trail named after John Hawley, the pioneering mayor of Dartmouth - a merchant and warrior who may have inspired Chaucer's 'Shipman' in the Canterbury Tales.

A defensive harbour chain

Dartmouth Castle is the earliest known purpose-made coastal gun fort in England, and it has a special defence: the harbour chain. A massive iron chain - over 250m long - was hung across the Dart estuary. The chain could be raised up through the water to stop enemy ships in mid-river, which made them an easy target for gunfire. The Gun Tower contained a winding mechanism for lifting and lowering the chain, which defended the estuary for over 200 years.

Until now little has been known about the workings of Dartmouth's unusual defence system, but a new video uses animation to bring the working of the chain to life.

Paul Pattison, Senior Historian at English Heritage, said:

"Today, [Dartmouth Castle] enjoys a peaceful, picturesque setting at the mouth of the River Dart but for centuries it was a key part of the defences of the town, helping to keep would-be attackers away from the prosperous port. Whilst it has long been known that the Castle is the earliest known purpose-made coastal gun fort in England, the story of how a great iron chain, stretched across the river, worked with the guns to stop enemy warships has been somewhat neglected."

The new interpretation at Dartmouth Castle will be revealed on Friday 27 May. The Castle is open daily throughout the summer from 10am - 6pm.

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