Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve

The sand dunes at Dawlish Warren stretch for nearly two miles along the Devon coast, and they're genuinely one of the best-kept coastal reserves in the South West. You're looking at a properly wild mix of dunes, shingle ridges, and saltmarsh that somehow exists just a stone's throw from the seaside town of Dawlish itself. It feels like the developers forgot about this corner, which is exactly why it works.

Walking the reserve takes you through habitat that shifts dramatically depending on where you are. The outer dunes are windswept and sparse, colonised by tough grasses that anchor everything in place. Move inland and you hit the wetter bits where marsh plants and birds proper thrive. Birdwatchers will spend hours here - warblers, grebes, and overwintering wildfowl depending on the season. Even if you're not a twitcher, the sheer quiet of the place is striking when you're surrounded by holiday parks.

Allow two to three hours if you're doing a proper walk. The paths are well-maintained but can get muddy, especially after rain. It's free to access and open year-round, though autumn and winter offer the best birdwatching. Families with young kids might find it a bit exposed and windy, but teenagers who like the outdoors will get something real from it.

If you're staying at Haven Devon Cliffs or the Haven Resort nearby, this reserve is brilliant for escaping the holiday park bustle without going far. It's the kind of place that reminds you there's still proper nature along this coast.