The Best Amusements and Rides in Dawlish Warren
If you are already planning your family’s next summer holiday and you want to explore what’s on offer in the south-west of England, look no further than Dawlish Warren. This corner of South Devon is hugely popular among young families thanks to its stunning Blue Flag beach situated at the mouth of the Exe Estuary, in close proximity to the charming city of Exeter. 2018 was a wonderful summer with a glorious heatwave bathing Dawlish Warren and the rest of South Devon in magnificent sunshine throughout the school holidays. If 2019 is anything near as impressive on the weather front, our resort offers plenty for all the family.
This particular article is focused on the entertainment on offer at Dawlish Warren, spanning the best rides and amusements for little ones and big kids (over-18s), too. The town’s entertainment scene is brilliant if the weather is inclement for an afternoon or an entire day, ensuring guaranteed fun come rain or shine. There are two primary entertainment venues that are popular in the summer holidays and even earlier in the year – Funder Park and the Pavilion Amusements.
Funder Park – a family magnet throughout the holiday season
As seaside family funfairs go, Funder Park is certainly one not to be missed. It is reasonably priced, with many new rides having been introduced in the last 18 months, including a pirate ship ride that has captured the imagination of many young visitors. The park operates a token system for all its rides, costing £2 apiece. Each ride costs just one token and families can also take advantage of the bulk-buy offer of 20 tokens for £20, halving the price of your entertainment in one fell swoop.
The Family Roller Coaster is almost continuously busy, providing the perfect introduction to roller coasters for little ones with parents. There’s also a fun-filled slide that offers unlimited usage throughout the day. It is proudly known as Devon’s largest Bumpy Slide. Funder Park also boasts its own Crazy Golf course. It is pirate-themed and by no means a small one either – offering a full 18-hole game! Combine that with Bumper Boats, quad bikes and a gentle Merry Go-Round, it’s clear to see that Funder Park is a great entertainment option just 50 yards from Dawlish Warren beach and its well-served train station.
Pavilion Amusements – classic family-friendly arcade fare
The Pavilion Amusements are situated literally a stone’s throw from Dawlish Warren’s Blue Flag beach. They benefitted from the installation of brand-new gaming machines back in 2014, which have ensured the premises keeps up with the times. There is an adult-only Casino Lounge area offering a plethora of state-of-the-art slot machines with big-value jackpots up for grabs, as well as complimentary snacks and drinks. There are also fun-filled slots and ‘grabber’ machines, where wins print out vouchers directly from the terminal that can be used to redeem other gifts such as cuddly toys.
The Pavilion Amusements are something of an institution in Dawlish Warren. They’ve been in operation since 1952, offering gaming of all types seven days a week from 10am until 11pm. Of course, if you get a taste for slot gaming once you’ve left the Pavilion Amusements and return to your holiday cottage or caravan, you can still practice and hone your skills on the various iGaming sites available. Many of these offer no deposit bonuses, which are marketed as free cash welcome offers with no deposit requirements necessary.
Aside from the gaming machines and terminals on offer at Pavilion Amusements, they also offer free face painting for all the family every Saturday and Sunday between 1pm and 5pm. As a family-run venue, there’s always a warm welcome guaranteed at the Pavilion. The venue is also at the heart of many summer events hosted in Dawlish Warren for locals and tourists alike. Every August sees the arrival of the Dawlish Warren Fireworks Spectacular on the green overlooking the Amusements. This event normally closes the Dawlish Carnival Week which is one of the best weeks of the year to visit. The fireworks are entirely free to watch and demonstrate the wonderful community spirit that exists in Dawlish Warren.
CREDITS
- Top Image: Pavillion Amusements
- Dawlish’s Pavilion Amusements have been here since 1952
- Photo by Derek Harper, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Lower image: Funderpark
- Flying Elephants are one of the main attractions at Funder Park
- Photo by Lewis Clarke, CC BY-SA 2.0
