Explore Dawlish & Dawlish Warren

Dawlish is a fascinating coastal town sheltered by steep surrounding hills and makes an excellent family and dog friendly day out from the English Riviera.

Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve

Head for the National Nature Reserve at Dawlish Warren with its stunningly beautiful 1.5-mile long sand spit across the mouth of the Exe Estuary and visitor centre. A popular wildlife haven, it is noted for wildfowl and wading birds with thousands of birds coming to feed or to spend the winter here. There are over 600 different plants, many of which are rare species.

Dawlish Black Swan

The town centre of Dawlish is home to the famous black swans, which you can find around Dawlish Water (also known as The Brook) and the public green called The Lawn. The latter is the perfect place for hanging out, eating some sandwiches and letting your children play. Introduced from New Zealand, the black swan has been the emblem of Dawlish for over forty years.

Dawlish Town

Dawlish seafront and town is an attractive mixture of Regency and Victorian style and you can stroll along the Strand enjoying a range of interesting shops. Both Jane Austen and Charles Dickens stayed here and Dickens chose Dawlish as the birthplace of Nicholas Nickleby. There are plenty of cafés and eateries.

The Beach, the Coast Path & Boat Trips

The beautiful, long and sandy Dawlish Town Beach with its stunning cliffs is an ideal spot to relax. Part of the beach is dog friendly all year round and your pooch will also enjoy a stroll or a hike along the beautiful South West Coast Path. You can also enjoy spotting the steam trains that pass by Dawlish regularly and there are boat trips along the coast or up the estuary.

Take a Cycle Ride

A great way to explore the area is by bike. There are many cycling routes around Dawlish and Dawlish Warren. The more adventurous will love The Exe Estuary Trail, which leads you on a 17.5-mile route from Dawlish to Exmouth via Exeter and, hence, goes all around the delightful Exe Estuary. The route is mainly flat and offers you some stunning views along the river. You will pass several lovely riverside towns and enjoy the flora and fauna. There are much shorter routes to try of course and cycles are accepted on the Starcross to Exmouth Ferry. Cycle hire is available locally in Dawlish.

Powderham Castle

Powderham Castle is located within easy reach of Dawlish and can be included in a day out here. The castle is home to the Earl and Countess of Devon and is set in a beautiful deer park on the banks of the River Exe. Opened to the public in 1959 you can enjoy a guided tour of the castle, wander around the grounds, take some refreshments at the Courtenay Café, hop on a trailer ride into the deer park, visit the forge and woodcarvers and admire the beauty of the rose garden. There’s also a large and popular country store with local food and drink plus clothing, gifts, toys, puzzles and glassware.

Getting There

An excellent day trip from the English Riviera by car, train or bus. The train takes you from Paignton or Torquay to Dawlish or Dawlish Warren within 30 minutes. The views are spectacular and the journey exciting as the train runs along the beautiful shoreline with its distinctive reddish cliffs.