Dawlish

The Strand, Dawlish, Devon, EX7 9PW

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Dawlish, The Brook
  • Dawlish, The Brook
  • Dawlish Beach
  • Dawlish seafront
  • Dawlish Black Swan
  • Dawlish beach and boats
  • Dawlish Waters
  • Dawlish Brook with trees
  • Dawlish seafront and train line
  • Dawlish beach and sea views
  • Dawlish Brook with Flowers
  • Dawlish Black Swan in Dawlish

Where to Stay in Dawlish
Food and Drink in Dawlish
Things to Do in Dawlish
What’s On in Dawlish
Dawlish Warren

Dawlish is a traditional seaside town, with a wonderful golden sand beach on its doorstep. The town offers a range of amusements and is centred around The Lawn and Brook, which is home to the famous black swans. Just a few miles down the road is Dawlish Warren, a beautiful nature reserve with a blue flag beach.

Things to do in Dawlish

Dawlish is a great family holiday destination, with a long sandy beach which is perfect for summer day swimming, exploring rock pools or sand castle building. Dawlish Town Beach is just a short walk from the town centre, full of golden sand perfect for families and days on the beach. Dawlish Warren Beach  and Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve is just under 2 miles away and has beautiful sand dunes and is a bird watchers paradise. 

The town has plenty of interesting shops and a brook that runs through the centre of a wide open green, The Lawn, which is great for games and picnics. The brook is home to a range of birds as well as the famous black swans which can be found swimming sedately along the river, the swans have been residents in Dawlish since at least the early 1900s. 

If you love to cycle - you will love the cycling routes in and around Dawlish. The Exe Estuary Trail offers off road cycling for 16 miles from Dawlish Warren to Exmouth, along some of the most stunning coastal scenery. 

There are also plenty of coastal walks from Dawlish along the South West Coast Path - you can either head left to Dawlish Warren and Exmouth, or right to Teignmouth and Torbay

The South Devon Railway Line runs through Dawlish, this is considered one of the most scenic railway lines in Britain, it runs along the coast from Exeter to Newton Abbot providing wonderful views along the Exe Estuary and out to sea. The line runs along the coast under the distinct red brown cliffs and through series of dramatic tunnels, literally a few metres from the shoreline. 

History of Dawlish

The first inhabitants of Dawlish were fisherman and salt makers. This industry continued through the Roman occupation, and the town also benefited from farming in the surrounding countryside. It was the railway that transformed the town, allowing many more visitors to enjoy its classic Regency and early Victorian styles.

Dawlish sits in the middle of South Devon Mainline, part of the Great Western Mainline, which was built by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The line was first constructed as part of the Atmospheric Railway, a system of using atmospheric power to propel trains with the use of pumping stations, pipes and flaps, this system proved impractical and costly and was abandoned. Pumping stations and exhibits can be seen along the line and in local museums, but the railway, bridges and tunnels he built can still be seen along the route today. 

Something a little different

If you follow the South West Coast Path and the sea wall to the east of the town you will reach Dawlish Warren. Dawlish Warren is a seaside resort situated around a split of sand, sand dunes and nature reserve. With amusements and facilities found nearby, as well as a range of accommodation providers, it offers a great day trip destination.      

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Facilities

Parking & Transport

  • Car Parks
  • Parking for disabled visitors

Towns & Villages

  • ATM
  • Information Centre
  • Public toilets
  • Toilets for disabled visitors
  • Train station

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Map & Directions

Road Directions

From Exeter and the M5, take the A380 signposted Dawlish, then the B3192 towards Teignmouth/Dawlish.  

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Public Transport Directions

Rail: Dawlish is renowned for having one of the most scenic railway lines in the world, running just metres from the sea it is well worth making the trip by train. Dawlish Train Station is on the main line to London Paddington. 

 

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What's Nearby

  1. Dawlish Town Beach

    Within a short walk from the town centre, Dawlish Town Beach is ideal to escape the…

    0.06 miles away
  2. The Lawn

    In the centre of Dawlish is The Lawn; a focal point of the town and seafront The Lawn is…

    0.17 miles away
  3. Dawlish Leisure Centre

    Dawlish Leisure Centre hosts a number of activities and facilities including:

    0.39 miles away
  4. Coryton Cove Beach

    Rock pools to explore, occasional sightings of dolphins, brightly coloured painted beach…

    0.46 miles away
  1. Holcombe Beach

    Holcombe Beach

    A small cove situated at the base of the cliffs between Teignmouth and Dawlish. A small…

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  2. Dawlish Warren Tourism Group

    The family beach resort with shops, amusements, go-karts, adventure golf, pubs and…

    1.48 miles away
  3. The Paint Hub

    The Paint Hub is a pottery painting cafe where you can customise your own piece of…

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  4. Dawlish Warren Nature & Wildlife Reserve

    Dawlish Warren's most valuable ecological asset appears outside of the summer months -…

    1.78 miles away
  5. Dawlish Warren Beach

    Dawlish Warren prides itself on being one of South Devon's top family beaches.…

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  6. Dawlish Warren and Cliffs

    Dawlish Warren is a fascinating place. This sand spit at the mouth of the Exe Estuary is…

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  7. Ashburn Springs

    Ashburn Springs Gym and Pool is the fantastic pool, fitness centre and gym complex at…

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  8. Eastcliff Park

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  9. Teignmouth Lido

    Set in a beautiful location overlooking the sea, our 25m pool hosts a variety of swimming…

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  10. Teign Heritage, Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum

    Teignmouth's landmark building contains a range of interesting exhibits in two wonderful…

    2.63 miles away
  11. Teignmouth Town Beach

    A long sandy beach from the mouth of the River Teign east towards Dawlish. Free summer…

    2.74 miles away
  12. Teignmouth Arts Quarter

    Over near Teignmouth’s River Beach is the Arts Quarter.  Here you will find a selection…

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