For a great day on the South Devon beaches Ashcombe Cottages are 4 miles from the seaside towns of Dawlish and Teignmouth. The glorious coast road winds along the English Riviera to others. Devon has it all from traditional ‘bucket and spade’ beach day to sailing, walking, bird-watching, surfing, diving or water-skiing.
Two Coastlines, twice the fun
Devon has 300 miles of coastline and the second highest annual sunshine. Go for high-adrenalin water sports such as kite surfing, water skiing and wake boarding or learn to sail or windsurf on the River Exe. Diving centres at Exmouth and Teignmouth offer the opportunity for visitors of all diving abilities to explore shallow reefs and deep wreck dives.
Jump off a Cliff!
For more of an adrenaline boost try Coasteering from Maidencombe near Teignmouth. Rock Solid Coasteering provide an awesome experience exploring the coastline and jumping off the rocks – we had a go too. Read more.
Bucket and Spade
For a more sedate seaside experience visit the Victorian seaside resort of Dawlish. Walk along the coastline to Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth. Designated areas allow dogs. Dawlish Warren has a fun fair and mini-golf and a great Blue Flag beach for long walks, bird watching and picnics. All Dawlish beaches are MCS Good Beach Guide approved. The bathing water quality on many beaches from Dawlish to Torquay have the highest Blue Flag score.
Coastal Railway
Brunel’s Scenic Coastal Railway follows the route of Brunel’s atmospheric railway on a track that hugs the beautiful South Devon coastline between Teignmouth and Dawlish and is a sight to see, especially in winter when the waves can break over the trains… perhaps a little bit too much in 2014 resulting in the destruction of the railway (reopened on 4 April 2014.)
Fishing
Fisherman can catch sea bass, mullet and ling from Thatcher’s Rock just east of Torquay. Other deep sea fishing trips can be arranged from Teignmouth’s back beach.
Swimming
Smaller, more secluded beaches can be found driving along the winding coast road from Teignmouth to Torquay. These beaches along the English Riviera have some lovely swimming areas notably at Babbacombe where you can also visit the model village and lunch at the Cary Arms.
Surf and History
Travel further west and surfers can enjoy the vast beach at Bantham while others can visit the historic Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel, integral in Devonian Agatha Christie’s plots.
Dawlish Warren is our nearest sandy beach under 6 miles away: