Dawlish has a long, sandy beach which is ideal for summer days, rock pools that gather on the front make it an interesting place to spend a few hours and being just a short walk from the town centre make it an ideal place to visit. Home to the famous black swans and a beach, Dawlish is a great destination for families. There are a whole host of amusements all surrounding the lawn and the brook which is the centrepiece for this charming town.
Nature Reserve and Blue Flag Beach
Just a little further along is Dawlish Warren, where you’ll find a blue-flag beach and a nature reserve.
The town centre features an interesting assortment of shops, as well as the brook which runs through the centre of a wide open green. The Lawn, which is great for games and picnics, is a beautiful place to stop and reflect. It is also the place to go to spot the black swans which have been living on the river since the early 1900s.
Fans of walks and cycling trails will love this area of Devon. Dawlish has a number of routes in and out of the town. The Exe Estuary Trails offers of road cycling for 20 miles from Dawlish to Exmouth along some stunning coastal scenery. You can also head along the South West Coast Path which goes from Dawlish along to Dawlish Warren and Exmouth or, if you had in the opposite direction, you can walk along to Teignmouth and Torbay. Choosing to wonder down to Dawlish Warren will give you the chance to explore a beautiful seaside resort. There are sand dunes, a nature reserve and amusements.
Alternatively, travel around the area by rail. The railway route through Dawlish is considered to be one of the most scenic rail lines in the country. The route goes along the Exe Estuary and out to sea running along cliffsides and the shoreline. You can connect with main line trains all over the country and also take in the coast from Exeter to Newton Abbot.
2023 Gold winner for “Best café + tearoom of the year” - Devon Tourism Awards…
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a sandy beach at Dawlish?
The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle, and follows the curve of the sheltered bay from Lea Mount to Langstone Rock, a distance of over a mile. It's great for swimming, with pleasure boat trips around the bay in summer. There is a wide, scenic footpath on top of the sea wall at the back of the beach.
Dawlish's Black Swans have been part of the town since the 1940s when a pair were presented to the town. They have been the emblem of the town for more than 50 years and have lived on The Brook in the centre of Dawlish ever since.
