Shipping on the River Dart at Dittisham with women selling fish in the foreground

The village of Dittisham on the River Dart is believed to be named after 'Deedas', a Saxon chief, who probably settled here soon after the Saxon invasion of Devon, in about 660 A.D. On the opposite bank of the river is the village of Greenway. Until the early 20th Century, a ferry crossed the river between the two villages, there is now only a passenger ferry, which is still summoned by ringing the bell.