Dawlish Warren and Everything In-Between

Looking across the end of Dawlish Warren towards Lympstone

The little seaside village of Dawlish Warren is a little gem along the south west coastline. Its golden sands and English Channel coastline means its a popular travel destination for many people across the UK and abroad. Families and couples alike are attracted to the beautiful beaches, historic background and beautiful walks which stretch for miles across golden sand and spectacular national nature reserve. As part of the English Rivera, Dawlish and the surrounding area mainly serves as a tourist. The lucrative promise of more sun and less rain and a diverse range of holiday activities means the summer holidays bring this little town to life with families enjoying their stay-cation. Being part of Devon means that for many travelling to the destination, it takes a reasonable amount of time to reach. By knowing your route beforehand it could really lift your journey, inspiring the children to look out the window instead of at the in car DVD player.

Getting here by Plane

If you’re travelling from abroad, or taking a plane from elsewhere in the UK, Exeter airport serves the south coast, taking just half an hour to reach the Dawlish coast. Exeter airport is the most southern international airport in the UK, making it an ideal location for visitors flocking to the south coast. But, like many small airports, flights may not be as frequent or else, as convenient as many of the airports across the UK. With good transport links to both Bournemouth and Bristol, these airports are both important destinations for onward journeys to the south coast. Taxis are generally the more reliable way to get to your end destination if you’re not hiring a car. With the airport close proximity to the coast most taxi drivers are happy to take you without any pre-booking.

Travelling by Car

Many visitors to the South West travelled by car and as the M5 is the main gateway between the Midlands and the South West, at peak it becomes a busy gateway for tourists and locals alike. Once past Exeter, the M5 ends and is served by a multitude of ‘A’ roads to take you deeper in to the south coast. The rolling countryside which lines the M5 most of the way down is a brilliant sight to behold if you’re travelling in daylight. Once you reach closer to Dawlish Warren, you’ll find yourself travelling along the River Exe. Look out for wading birds at low tides which fill the mud flats, some of the rare birds that flock to the river are what makes Dawlish Warren such a fantastic place for bird watching particularly during the summer months. Remember if you’re travelling by car to make sure you come prepared for the journey with the appropriate maps, a well maintained vehicle and the right cover in place.

Using Public Transport

First Great Western is the main service provider for trains in the south west area. Dawlish Warren its own mainline train station; however not all services stop there. It may mean a change of train at another station or using another form of public transport to take you from one of the larger train stations in the area such as Exeter or Newton Abbot. Devon County Council provides a comprehensive list of bus services and timetables in the area. If you’re planning to take a bus from other areas in the country to Dawlish Warren, it’s worth checking with your local services to see whether they travel to the South West. Travelling by public transport is a great way to see the surrounding countryside as you can simply sit back, look out of the window and enjoy the view.