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Wales | LADYS MILE HOLIDAY PARK Situated in beautiful South Devon less than a mile from the Blue Flag beaches of Dawlish Warren, Lady’s Mile Holiday Park has something for everyone with superb facilities and family entertainment on park coupled with the many attractions this wonderful area has to offer making this an ideal location for a family seaside holiday. |
 | PORTMILE LODGES Portmile Lodges are set in landscaped grounds with exceptional views of the Devon countryside. This select development of exclusive lodges offers the perfect retreat for a relaxing break. |
 | HARBOUR LODGE Set over three levels and sleeping up to eight guests, Harbour Lodge offers a delightful coastal retreat for both families and friends looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. |
Dawlish is a picturesque seaside town with two inviting sandy beaches and a gorgeous nature reserve. The mix of Victorian and Georgian architecture, as well as the classic British amusements on the coast, create a vintage holiday feeling that is perfect for a sense of escapism.
Exploring the area
Spend a leisurely beach day at Dawlish Town Beach, perfect for sunbathing and swimming. The Cove Café is a pop-up ice cream stand, ideally located for when you need to cool down on a hot day. Walk along the top of the Langstone Cliffs overlooking the beach for amazing views of the coast. Langstone Rock marks the end of the beach and this a picture-perfect viewpoint of the town.
Dawlish Warren is a 500-acre nature reserve of grassland and sand dunes, also encompassing the estuary. There is lots of wildlife to see out on the spit, including oystercatchers, wigeons and teals. Reach this fascinating spot by walking along the sea walls.
Take a stroll through The Lawn in town, a park with blooming flowers and home to the legendary black swans. Have a picnic here in the day or visit at night to be immersed in the magical atmosphere created by the fairy lights.
For a more adventurous way of discovering the natural landscape, hire a kayak or canoe at Exe Adventures. This is guaranteed to be a wonderful and exciting experience, as well as a more hands-on way of exploring the coast.
In town, there are a wide variety of independent shops selling everything from eclectic trinkets to boutique-style clothing. There are also lots of cafés in town for a traditional Devonshire cream tea. The Old Mill Tea Room has a rustic environment created by its location in a renovated mill, with much of the original architecture retained as well as the mill wheels. You will be spoilt for choice of cake at A Piece of Cake Tea Rooms. Alternatively, have a sweet treat at Le Cygne, an elegantly decorated environment. Have a more substantial meal in The Smugglers Inn, just outside of town. This has a nautical theme and its floor to ceiling windows give a stunning view of the coast.
Daytrips nearby
A walk along the coast from Dawlish Warren to Teignmouth is highly recommended. This is a larger seaside town with plenty of shops to explore and a harbour to sit at to watch the boats sailing in and out. There are also lots of art galleries in which incredible local art is displayed.
Across the estuary, Exmouth is a lovely town to visit. Discover its history at the local museum and be sure to travel slightly further outside of the centre to A La Ronde. This National Trust property is a 16-sided country house, eccentrically decorated both inside and out. For a walk in the outdoors, stroll along the cliffs to Orocombe Point, where the Geoneedle marks the most westerly point of the Jurassic Coast. This town can be reached either by car, or by cycling the 16-mile route of the Exe Estuary Trail.
Another cycling route leads to Starcross, a small and charming village right by the estuary. This is perfect for a laid-back outing where the intimate feel of the village welcomes everyone who visits. The Atmospheric Railway Inn, looking over the water, is a great place for lunch after a cycle to this location.
For an escape into nature, a half-an-hour drive away is Canonteign Falls. Two spectacular waterfalls can be found amongst the lush greenery, both of which would make for the perfect photo opportunity. There are also several viewpoints where the rolling countryside can be appreciated from above.
For families
In town, there are activities and amusements for children of all ages. Dawlish Warren’s mile-and-a-half long beach is a great place for sandcastle building and swimming in the sea. Here, there is also Grand Prix Go Karts, which is child-friendly go karting guaranteed to be lots of fun for all the family. Try out the Pirates Cove Adventure Golf for some exciting crazy golf with a pirate theme. Nearby is Funder Park, an amusement area with traditional beachside arcade games and rides.
Try and spot the deer at Powderham Castle, just outside of town. Inside the castle itself is beautifully lavish 14th Century furniture and décor. There are activities available for kids to do whilst exploring its hallowed halls.
If visiting Exmouth, a guaranteed day of fun is at World of Country Life. There are a range of interactive and hands-on experiences for the children to try, including hand feeding goats and sheep and also bird of prey displays to watch. There are picnic tables where you can eat your own packed lunch, or alternatively try a hot dish at Farmer Lee’s Food Barn.