Short answer: Teignmouth's winter attraction is free: Brunel's sea wall, where December swells break clean over the wall as the trains come through. The Back Beach is sheltered when the seafront is unusable. Ye Olde Jolly Sailor is open until half eleven.
Brunel's railway runs along the back of Teignmouth beach, and in a December swell the waves break clean over the wall as the trains come through. Reviewers describe strolling the sea wall and ducking the spray as one of the pleasures of the place — and it is free, level and accessible.
The station is right on the beach, so you can watch from cover if it turns properly foul. Between here and Dawlish is the best stretch of storm-and-train watching in Britain.
This is what makes Teignmouth work in winter. When the seafront is being blasted, the Back Beach round on the estuary side is calm — working boats on the sand, the docks alongside, food shacks and old pubs a few steps away, and a large car park that is cheaper than the front.
Shaldon is across the river and the passenger ferry runs from the Back Beach, saving a second parking charge. Over there the Ferry Boat Inn and the London Inn on the green are both open, and Ness Cove through the Smugglers' Tunnel is dog friendly year-round — the tunnel is no less exciting in December.
Shaldon Wildlife Trust runs through the winter and does not take dogs.
Seafront parking is still around £4.60 for two hours; the Back Beach is the better bet. The Den promenade is level and good for mobility scooters whatever the season. And much of the pier is fenced off, so do not build a day around it.
Winter opening is exactly where online listings are least reliable. Ring before you drive — several places in this guide show as closed on Google and answer the phone perfectly happily.
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