Dawlish Without a Car

Short answer: Dawlish station is on the beach, which makes it arguably the easiest car-free seaside day in Devon. Walk the sea wall south to Coryton Cove, or north towards the Warren. The journey along Brunel's sea wall is part of the day.

The station is on the beach

This is the whole point. Dawlish station sits on the seafront, beside the sea wall, with the trains running a few feet from the promenade. You step off the train onto the best free attraction in town.

The journey is part of it

The line between Exeter and Newton Abbot runs along the sea wall at Dawlish and Teignmouth — one of the best stretches of railway in Britain. Sit on the seaward side.

On foot

• The sea wall promenade — level, and runs both ways from the station.
• Coryton Cove — half a mile south along the sea wall, the best beach in Dawlish.
• Dawlish Warren — two miles north along the sea wall, or one stop on the train.
• The black swans on the stream through the middle of town.

Teignmouth next door

One stop south. Teignmouth's station is a short walk from the front, and the Shaldon ferry leaves from the Back Beach — a two-town car-free day.

Eating

The Wild Swan Brasserie is on the Strand in the centre. Sola Bar & Kitchen is at the Warren, a stop up the line.

Bus timetables in Devon thin out sharply from October and differ between summer and winter. Check the operator's current timetable before building a day around a connection, and check the last bus back before you settle in.