Dolphin Hotel

The Dolphin Hotel sits right in the heart of Dawlish, a proper Victorian seaside town that's seen better days but retains real charm. This isn't some grand manor house - it's a working hotel that's been welcoming guests since the 1800s, when Dawlish was the place to be for anyone with a bit of money and a railway ticket. The building itself tells you everything about the era: solid Devonian stone, period features, the kind of architecture that meant something when it went up.

Historically minded visitors will get the most from a wander round the exterior and a peek into the bar area if you fancy a drink. It's the sort of place where you can almost hear the Victorians clinking glasses and gossiping about the latest scandals. The location is brilliant too - you're metres from the seafront, with the red sandstone cliffs rising up behind the town and the beach stretching out in front. On a decent day it's genuinely atmospheric.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Dawlish Sands, Haven Devon Cliffs, or any of the half-dozen others dotted around - the hotel makes for a nice afternoon's cultural break. Pop into Dawlish itself, have a wander along the promenade, grab a cuppa at the hotel or a local cafe. It won't take you long, maybe an hour or two, but it gives the seaside a bit of substance beyond the fairground rides. Kids will probably get bored unless they're into period buildings, but adults who like a bit of local history will find it worthwhile.