Short answer: Shaldon faces the estuary rather than the open sea, so it stays calm when Teignmouth across the water does not. The Smugglers' Tunnel is covered, and the London Inn is on the green.
The village green, the estuary beach and the tunnel through to Ness Cove — all free. Shaldon's Boxing Day advantage is shelter: it sits on the estuary side, so when the open coast is unpleasant this is comparatively calm.
A tunnel cut down through the red cliff to Ness Cove — covered for its length, which makes it the one bit of sightseeing here that weather does not spoil. Red sand and big clam shells at the bottom, and dog friendly all year round.
Built around a green with the pub on it, so everything is a minute apart. Short, flat and genuinely pretty in winter light.
RSPB Labrador Bay on the cliffs towards Maidencombe — a proper walk, excellent for birds of prey.
Ring before you set off. Boxing Day hours are decided late, change year to year, and are the single thing most likely to be wrong online. A two-minute call beats a wasted drive.
The passenger ferry to Teignmouth's Back Beach does not run in rough weather and may not run at all over Christmas. Check before relying on it — otherwise it is a short drive round over the bridge.
If you want to eat out, book now rather than in December. The places that do serve on Boxing Day fill weeks ahead, and the ones that do not take bookings have queues instead.
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