Dawlish Warren, South Devon
- Exceptionally popular and busy South Devon holiday resort near the River Exe and Estuary and Exeter
- Beautiful, long beach with facilities
- Beach backs onto a National Nature Reserve
- Area great for walking and cycling
- Easy access by train to Exeter, Teignmouth, The English Riviera and Plymouth
- Main photo: the southern section of Dawlish Warren Beach photographed from the sand dunes of Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve
About 500,000 people visit Dawlish Warren every year. It's an exceptionally popular South Devon holiday destination by the River Exe and Estuary near Exeter. There's a train station making Dawlish Warren very easily accessible.
Dawlish Warren Beach
Dawlish Warren Beach backs onto the dunes of Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve.
To get away from the crowds around the resort centre, walk up the beach towards Exmouth. The sand spit here pushes out into the mouth of the River Exe and Estuary.
There are lots of beaches in the local area. Head south along the South West Coast Path to get to Red Rock Beach and then Dawlish and Dawlish Beach beyond. Boat Cove (Beach) and Coryton Cove (Beach) are south of Dawlish.
Note that a passenger ferry runs from Starcross to Exmouth and Exmouth Beach.
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve
Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve 'is one of the most important wildlife sites in Europe'. It's also beautiful and provides magnificent views of the Exe Estuary, Exmouth and the beginning/end of the Dorset and East Devon Coast/Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site at Exmouth Orcombe Point Geoneedle.
Dawlish Warren watersports
Watersports are very popular at the mouth of the Exe Estuary and Exmouth. Activities include swimming, kite surfing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing, rowing and sailing.
Dawlish Warren South West Coast Path walking
Follow the South West Coast Path south of Dawlish Warren to see Langstone Rock, Red Rock Beach and then Dawlish. Continue to Teignmouth and Shaldon at the mouth of the Teign Estuary with views up to the east flank of Dartmoor National Park. Take the train back to Dawlish Warren.
Alternatively, follow the South West Coast Path north of Dawlish Warren to Starcross and take the ferry across to Exmouth before walking to Orcombe Point and the beginning of the Dorset and East Devon Coast/Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site.
See our Dawlish Warren South West Coast Path Walk listing for more information.
Exe Estuary and Dawlish Warren
The sand spit at the top of Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve juts out into the mouth of the Exe Estuary. It provides great views of this magnificent estuary. If you're on holiday in Dawlish Warren then we'd recommend exploring the wider Exe Estuary area.
Heading north of Dawlish Warren on the west side of the Exe Estuary, you'll see Powderham Castle and Estate, Turf Locks (and The Turf pub), various nature reserves, Exeter Canal and then Exeter Quayside.
Coming back down the east side of the Exe Estuary from Exeter, you'll see Topsham, various nature reserves and Exmouth.
Arguably the best way to experience the Exe Estuary is on bike on the Exe Estuary Trail.
Dawlish Warren cycling
The Exe Estuary Trail is a multi-use recreational trail that runs around the side of the estuary. You can walk, run or cycle part, or all, of the Exe Estuary Trail. If you're planning to complete the entire route then you'll have to take a ferry across the water between Starcross and Exmouth.
Exmouth Ferry
A passenger ferry runs between Starcross and Exmouth. Walk or cycle from Dawlish Warren to Starcross. Take the bridge over the railway line to the jetty to catch the Starcross to Exmouth ferry. The ferry curls past Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve to the entrance to Exmouth Marina.
Dawlish Warren amusements
Funder Park and Pavilion Amusements are located between Dawlish Warren Station and the southern end of Dawlish Warren Beach.
Dawlish Warren food and drink
The Boat House Tavern & Grill is located by the sea at the southern end of Dawlish Warren Beach.
There's a fish & chips shop and an ice cream parlour by Dawlish Warren Station.
Major visitor attractions near Dawlish Warren
Powderham Castle and Estate is just north of Dawlish Warren. The family home of the Earl of Devon, it's a major Devon visitor attraction.
Exeter
Hop on the train and explore Exeter.
Highlights include Exeter Cathedral and Exeter's Underground Passages, Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) and Exeter High Street.
The English Riviera
Alternatively, head south on a train to Torquay and The English Riviera.
Highlights include Torquay Harbour and Living Coasts, Torquay Ferries and Boat Trips and Kents Cavern.
Plymouth
Trains also run to Plymouth.
Highlights include Plymouth National Marine Aquarium and Plymouth Barbican, Plymouth Ferries and Boat Trips and Plymouth Smeaton's Tower.
English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark
A Geopark is a territory with an internationally important geological and cultural heritage. The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark was the first urban Geopark in the world. It's exceptionally beautiful and fascinating and within one of the UK's most popular tourist destinations.
The English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark is a territory of international geological importance around The English Riviera covering 400 million years of geological history.
Dorset and East Devon Coast/Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site
England's first 'natural' UNESCO World Heritage Site runs from Exmouth in East Devon (Orcombe Point is the official beginning) to the area around Swanage in Dorset (that's Old Harry Rocks and Handfast Point). It's 95 miles long and covers 185 million years of geological time.
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