Explore Teignmouth & Shaldon

Teignmouth and Shaldon sit at the mouth of the River Teign, offering a blend of seaside, coastal scenery and traditional village atmosphere. With sandy beaches, coastal walks, independent shops and waterfront cafes,Teignmouth and Shaldon provide a quieter corner just 20 minutes from the English Riviera. But whether you’re planning a day trip or a longer coastal stay, there’s plenty to explore. Find out more about Teignmouth on the Visit Devon website.

Discover Teignmouth 

Teignmouth is located where Devon’s River Teign meets the sea just 20 minutes drive or train from Torquay.  It offers beautiful coastline, a long sandy beach, a busy harbour and attractive countryside. A flat resort, there is nothing better than a walk from the harbour to where the red devon cliffs meet the Great Western Railway.  Walk along the beach and spot the shells or along the promenade, where you will find an array of places to stop and get a bite to eat.

Children and train enthusiasts will love spotting the trains travel along the coastal stretch of the railway as they travel further into Devon or up country, with trains almost within touching distance, and the driver will always give a friendly wave!

It also has a rich history with some wonderful Georgian buildings, a promenade and a bustling high street. Families will love The Grand Pier with lots of fun activities, delicious ice creams and stunning views. Local watersports are available with sailing, kayaking, coasteering and paddleboarding – all popular choices. 

Things to Do in Teignmouth and Shaldon

Teignmouth River Beach & Arts Quarter

Teignmouth River Beach is located on the estuary side of town and has a lovely quaint feel with boats drawn up on the beach and local fishermen mending their nets. Nearby is the Teignmouth Arts Quarter, a trendy area full of arts shops, galleries, restaurants, eateries and pubs.

Eastcliff Park

Eastcliff Park is a large open space located above the cliffs and the sea. It’s an idyllic spot to visit.  Enjoy: Rowdens Lawn - a lawn with large rhododendrons, The Dell – a sub-tropical valley garden with linked ponds and Mules Park Meadows – open grassland with wild flowers. It’s a wonderful place for strolling and super dog friendly with a designated ‘Dog Dip’ (a shallow spot in the stream) for your pooch to cool down.
Teignmouth is also the perfect place to be with children with its free, award-winning playground at The Den. It has a large children’s play area with wet play feature, a multi-use games area, an adventure golf course facility and beautiful floral displays. There’s also a café and the area is wheelchair and pushchair friendly.

Ferry from Teignmouth to Shaldon

The historic Teignmouth to Shaldon Ferry is England’s oldest passenger ferry. It can be traced back to 1296 but is likely to be much older with origins in the Saxon era. It crosses from Teignmouth Back Beach to Shaldon Beach and runs every 10-15 minutes in peak times.

Visit Shaldon Village

Shaldon is located just across the Teign Estuary from Teignmouth. This traditional fishing village offers plenty of original cafés, shops, bars plus sheltered Shaldon beach with sailing, fishing, canoeing, rowing and rock pooling. You can walk to secluded Ness Beach, arriving via an original smugglers tunnel.  A stroll along the stunning South West Coast Path along to picturesque Labrador Bay will reward you with fabulous views.
For a family day out why not visit Shaldon Zoo set in an acre of woodland garden above Shaldon.  Run by Shaldon Wildlife Trust they are open all year and it’s home to many rare and endangered species. You can also have a go at Shaldon Pitch and Putt, a lovely course with full 18 holes.

Plan your Visit 

It’s a scenic trip by car, bus or train.  Take the train from Paignton or Torquay and enjoy the sea view during this 30-minute journey.