Royal Beacon Hotel

The Royal Beacon Hotel sits right on the seafront at Dawlish, a Victorian-era building that's seen better days but still commands attention from the promenade. It's one of those places that tells you something about English seaside life - grand in its bones, though rather worn round the edges these days. The hotel dates back to the 1800s when Dawlish was proper fashionable, a retreat for well-to-do Victorians who came for the sea air and the social scene.

You're really looking at this for its historical fabric rather than any polished visitor experience. The building itself is the draw - solid period architecture that speaks to a different era of seaside leisure. It's worth a walk past if you're spending time in Dawlish itself, particularly if you're interested in how these resorts evolved.

History enthusiasts will get more from it than families with young kids, to be honest. There's not much to actually do inside unless you're staying or dining there. Allow maybe twenty minutes for a good look around the exterior and a proper inspection of the stonework and period details.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Dawlish Sands or Haven Devon Cliffs are both within a couple of miles - it's an easy stroll along the seafront. Combine it with a walk through Dawlish town centre and a look at the red sandstone cliffs that make this stretch of coast distinctive. Worth fitting in if you've got a couple of hours to kill, but don't rearrange your holiday around it.