Short answer: Dawlish, Dawlish Warren, Teignmouth and Paignton all have stations within a short walk of the sand, all on the same south Devon line. The north Devon coast has no railway at all — Barnstaple is as close as the train gets.
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, with the sea a few feet from the window. Sit on the seaward side.
In a swell the waves break over the wall as the trains come through, which is why people stand on the Dawlish promenade in bad weather on purpose.
Dawlish for the trains and the sea wall, then walk half a mile south to Coryton Cove, which is sandy and sheltered and much better than the town beach. Dawlish Warren for a proper sandy beach day with amusements. Teignmouth if you want two waterfronts — the exposed seafront and the sheltered Back Beach. Paignton if you have children and want flat sand and a pier.
Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton and Putsborough have no stations. Barnstaple is the end of the line, with buses out to the coast from there. It is doable but it is a bus journey, not a train to the beach.
The Dartmoor Line runs from Exeter to Okehampton, and a second station, Okehampton Interchange, opened on the east side of the town on 1 August 2026 with a large car park and step-free access. It is the easiest rail access to the high moor there has been in fifty years.
Train times and fares change, and Devon's branch lines thin out on Sundays and in winter. Check National Rail or GWR for the day you are travelling.
Pick a town and plan the day around who's with you.
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