A Family Holiday in Devon
Dawlish Sea Front
Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
I have been visiting Dawlish on the south coast of Devon for the past 33 years and in all of that time, it has barely changed. Resting between the city of Exeter and the holiday destination of Torquay, you really can’t fault Dawlish as a great place to spend your holidays. It is quiet; no night clubs or binge drinking issues, surrounded by breathtaking coastline, including Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve and is over looked by the beautiful Haldon Moor and Mamhead hills.
Dawlish Railway
During all of my visits, I have found the locals (population of around 13,000) to be incredible friendly, relaxed and hospitable. There are plenty of good Victorian and Georgian built shops to visit in Dawlish, including several tea-shops, gift-shops and the excellent Gays Creamery – selling the best cakes and pies I have ever tasted. There are also several traditional Devonshire 17th century buildings dotted here and there around the town.
The sea front is very pretty, featuring a coastal train line that runs inconspicuously over head above a high granite sea defense and across a victorian iron bridge. The beach itself is a marbling of sand, shells and colourful pebbles and a few small stone built piers jutting out into the sea – great for fishing.
Once home to Charles Dickens and Jane Austin, Dawlish in nestled in a valley surrounded by hills. A small weir runs though the centre of it edge by a well kept park. Chestnut trees, Cordylines (Torbay Palm), Hardy Palms and the biggest Agave I have ever seen colour the park with a Victoria-style tropical theme. The park, also known as the ‘Lawn’ is also home to many ducks and other waterfowl, including Dawlish’s famous Black Swans.
I love the place so much, I am now planning to move there as soon as I have sold my house in North Warwickshire. I never get tired of Dawlish and feel at home ever time I visit this gem of the British coastline.
Places to stay in Dawlish
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