Teignmouth Pier

Red and white stripes, Victorian ironwork, and the sort of pier that makes you understand why seaside towns mattered. Teignmouth Pier juts into the bay like it's been there forever - and it genuinely has, since 1867. You get the full experience: arcades and amusement machines inside, proper candy floss stands, the kind of pier entertainment that hasn't changed much in decades and honestly, that's the point.

It's a short stroll from Dawlish, making it dead easy to pair with a holiday park stay in the area. Lady's Mile, Golden Sands, and Leadstone Camping are all within easy reach for families wanting a seaside base. The pier itself is free to access - you just wander on and soak it up. Allow an hour if you're proper committed, maybe 20 minutes if you're just grabbing a look and a walk to the end.

Families with younger kids will get genuine mileage from the amusement machines and the chance to throw coins in the water. Older visitors tend to enjoy the structure itself and the views back towards the Devon coast. The pier's particularly good on a clear day when you can see right along the bay, though I'll be honest, it gets rammed in peak summer and you're shuffling rather than striding.

It's not a destination you'd drive hours for in isolation, but as part of a broader seaside holiday along the coast between Exmouth and Torquay? Absolutely. Real seaside charm, no pretence.