Real, curated ideas for Dawlish's sea wall, the Warren, Coryton Cove and places to eat — filtered by who's actually with you.
Dawlish is the town where the railway runs along the beach. Brunel's sea wall line is the reason people photograph it and the reason a walk along the front is more entertaining here than anywhere else in Devon — an express going past a few feet from the promenade never quite stops being a spectacle.
There are really two destinations. Dawlish itself is a small Regency town with black swans on the stream running through the middle of it and a shingly town beach that mostly disappears at high tide. Dawlish Warren, two miles north, is the sandy one — a long spit with amusements at one end and a national nature reserve at the other.
Coryton Cove, half a mile south of the town centre, is the one worth knowing about. Sheltered by cliffs, sandy, gently shelving, with rock pools and no nearby outflow — locals rate it well above the town beach.
Listings last checked: September 2026
A long sandy spit stretching towards the Exe estuary, with fairground rides, a go-kart track, amusements and takeaways at the entrance and a national nature reserve about twenty minutes' walk the other way. Elephant Rock and the natural arch are worth the walk. Pay-and-display parking.
The best beach in Dawlish and half a mile from the centre along the sea wall — sandy, sheltered by cliffs from the wind, gently shelving, with rock pools at low tide. A kiosk and toilets nearby. The local pick over the town beach.
The town beach beside the railway, reached down steep steps. Mostly pebbles until the tide drops, when decent sand and good rock pools appear — check the tide before committing. Parking close by and cheap, plenty of food nearby.
The sea wall promenade, with trains passing a few feet away, the station right on the beach and waves that break over the wall in a swell. Level and wheelchair accessible, toilets, cafés and chip shops all within a couple of minutes.
The quieter stretch of the Warren coast towards the reserve — good for early-morning walks and picnics, and noticeably less busy than the main Dawlish and Paignton beaches. Clean water and open sand.
On the hill between Dawlish and Teignmouth with a large car park and views over fields to the sea. The daily carvery is the draw — three portion sizes including a smaller over-60s option — plus a full menu alongside. Good outdoor terrace.
The new local at Dawlish Warren under fresh ownership — freshly made food, pizzas people rate as the best around, and a big beer garden with a children's play area. Highly rated, though from a small number of reviews so far.
The most interesting cooking in Dawlish, on the Strand — an unusual menu, chefs who will build a vegan version of a dish on request, and staff who go out of their way. Closed Wednesdays and Sundays; open evenings Thursday to Saturday only.
The big beach-front pub at Dawlish Warren with sea views from the windows and a large menu. Reviews are mixed on the food — the fish and chips, gammon and mixed grill come out well, other dishes less so. Reliable for a drink with a view.