Real, curated ideas for Teignmouth's beach, the Back Beach, Shaldon and Ness Cove — filtered by who's actually with you.
Teignmouth has two waterfronts, and knowing the difference is the whole trick. The seafront is the postcard one — red-brown sand, a pier, a long promenade, and Brunel's railway running right along the back of the beach, which is a spectacle in itself when a train comes through.
The Back Beach, round on the estuary side, is the one locals prefer. Working boats pulled up on the sand, the docks still operating, food shacks and old pubs, and the little ferry over to Shaldon. It is scruffier and far more interesting, and it is sheltered when the seafront is being blasted.
Shaldon, across the river, is worth the ferry on its own — a pretty village with rock pools, a small wildlife park and, best of all, Ness Cove, reached through a smugglers' tunnel cut down through the cliff. That tunnel is the single most memorable thing to do here with children.
Listings last checked: September 2026
Long stretch of unusual orange-brown sand with Brunel's railway line running behind it — cargo ships and trains passing make it more interesting to sit on than most. All sand, no pebbles. Rarely as crowded as you would expect. Seafront parking is expensive.
The estuary side, and the one with real character — working boats hauled up on the sand, the docks alongside, food shacks and old pubs a few steps away, and the Shaldon ferry running from it. Sheltered, dog friendly, with a large car park and the town centre within walking distance.
Reached through the Smugglers' Tunnel cut down through the cliff at Shaldon — the tunnel is genuinely the highlight. Red sand and stones, big clam shells, cormorants diving offshore. Dog friendly all year. Two car parks and toilets at the top; nothing on the beach itself, and not buggy or wheelchair accessible.
The village beach across the river, small and relaxed with rock pools, a quay children crab from, cafés and pubs right behind. Tidal currents in the estuary make swimming unwise — this is a paddling, crabbing and watching-boats beach. Reachable on the ferry.
The best breakfast in Teignmouth, on Triangle Place — eggs benedict, burgers, good coffee and a separate gluten-free menu with real choice rather than one option. Dog friendly, and the owners are the reason people keep coming back. Closes at three.
Pub kitchen on the Back Beach doing crab sandwiches, burgers, pizza and loaded fries, eaten either inside or out on the sand. The highest-rated food in Teignmouth, though from a small number of reviews. Good with children and dogs.
Tiki-styled bar and café on the promenade with a patio, strong drinks list and banh mi worth ordering. Open until midnight Friday and Saturday, which makes it the late option here. Dog friendly.
Upper-deck seating at the Pavilions with the best sea view of any café on the front, and an evening set menu that is good value. The food is simple and priced accordingly — come for the view and the terrace. Closed evenings on Mondays and Sundays.
The oldest pub in Teignmouth, a couple of minutes from the Back Beach, doing fish and chips and Sunday roasts at fair prices. Quaint, friendly and open late. Meals can arrive at different times, which is worth knowing with a table of four.