Dawlish
There is something about Dawlish that has you reminiscing of times gone by. It could be the fact that it’s a beautiful seaside resort with lots of Victorian charm, or it could be that there is such a sense of community here that it can appear that the reality of harsh modern living hasn’t interrupted the way that the town goes about its daily business. Here you can still enjoy a traditional family holiday beside the sea. This was once nothing more than a small fishing village where the income was derived from the sea in the form of seafood and salt production. The charm of the area is such that it has been attracting artists and writers for centuries, with the likes of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens coming to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere of this beautiful resort town.
Things to Do
The beach is the perfect place to spend time with the kids, from making sandcastles on the beach to exploring the rock pools. The beach itself is long and sandy, the water is safe for swimming or you could even take a boat out. There are a number of parks to explore complete with the iconic black swans, so make sure you take some bread to feed them. This is a resort that flourished with the advance of the railways during the Victorian era, and the label of ‘Railway Resort’ is something that the town is respectful of. The line that runs through the area is widely regarded as one of the country’s most scenic rail routes. Plus you can explore what remains of the old railway designed and built by Brunel. Take a boat trip out into the bay and see if you can spot the dolphins that are local to the waters here and take in the beautiful and dramatic cliff-scapes from your unique perspective.
Places to Visit
The beach area has something for all of the family, from shops and amusements to go-karting and adventure golf. There are plenty of bars and cafes along the beach front should you be in need of refreshment. This is also a place popular with birdwatchers so you might even spot a rare bird or two. The beach and dunes are backed by a National Nature Reserve of more than 500 acres making this a place of truly outstanding natural beauty.
The Dawlish Warren is the place to find all of the entertainment that you could need while you are here. With everything from dodgems to a fabulous open air market, fish and chips and candyfloss stalls, it has everything that you could need from a British seaside resort.
Practically all of the main attractions are within a short walk of the beach, so even the younger children can cover the distance without complaining. The beach really is the focal point of the resort and once you experience the blue flag sea and sand for yourself you will understand why this area has such a good reputation for being a destination of choice to the families that return here year after year.
