Temple Winds

Standing stones circle the headland above Dawlish in a formation that locals have dubbed Temple Winds, though the origins of this name remain as mysterious as the monument itself. The weathered granite pillars catch the coastal breeze something fierce up here, which might explain the moniker. What you're looking at is likely Bronze Age, though without proper archaeological investigation, that's educated guesswork based on the construction style. The stones aren't particularly grand - think more functional than Stonehenge spectacular - but their clifftop position gives them a proper dramatic setting. On clear days you can see right across Lyme Bay from here. History enthusiasts will appreciate the mystery of it all, while families might find the kids lose interest after twenty minutes unless they're into scrambling over rocks. The walk up from Dawlish takes about forty minutes through some fairly rough terrain, so decent boots are essential. No admission fee that I'm aware of, and no set opening hours since it's essentially open moorland. Worth combining with a day at the beach in Dawlish if you're staying at one of the holiday parks along this stretch - Devon Cliffs and the other coastal sites are all within easy reach. Just don't expect detailed historical interpretation boards.