Dawlish

Railway lines run right along the seafront here, creating one of the most dramatic coastal train journeys in Britain. Dawlish sits where the red cliffs of South Devon meet a sweeping sandy beach, and watching the InterCity services thunder past just metres from the waves never gets old.

The town itself has a proper seaside feel without the tourist tat of bigger resorts. Main Street runs parallel to the railway, lined with independent shops and cafes that feel refreshingly genuine. The beach stretches for miles, backed by those famous red sandstone cliffs that make Devon's coastline so distinctive.

Funder Park keeps the kids entertained with its family-friendly rides, while Pirates Cove Adventure Golf offers that essential seaside mini-golf experience. For something more energetic, Grand Prix Go Karts provides proper thrills just inland from the seafront.

Dawlish Warren, accessible by train or a pleasant coastal walk, extends the beach experience even further. This long sandy spit protects the Exe Estuary and offers some of the best birdwatching in Devon alongside miles of golden sand.

Getting here couldn't be easier - Dawlish sits right on the main London to Plymouth railway line, with regular services from Exeter just 20 minutes up the coast. The A379 coastal road connects it to Teignmouth and Torquay, making it a perfect base for exploring the English Riviera.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You get that proper seaside holiday feeling while being perfectly placed to explore both the dramatic Jurassic Coast to the south and the rolling hills of Dartmoor just inland. The combination of beach, countryside, and excellent transport links is hard to beat.