Teignmouth in Devon is a lovely seaside town and fishing port on the South Devon coast. It makes a great base for exploring this part of England.
Here’s my guide to spending a few days in Teignmouth and South Devon.
Teignmouth
Make sure you allow time to enjoy Teignmouth itself. This seaside town features a mix of Georgian architecture, a seafront promenade and plenty of nostalgic British seaside charm.
The town centre is full of unique gift shops, pubs and restaurants. Our favourites were the Ye Olde Jolly Sailor for it’s fantastic atmosphere and delicious sticky toffee pudding, and Naz Indian restaurant – an excellent spot for a local curry.
Speaking of curry – did you know I’m part of a Curry Club? We’re self-proclaimed curry experts trying to find the best curries in Brisbane and beyond! Follow us on Instagram @curryclubreviews.
Teignmouth Grand Pier
The Grand Pier is the heart of British seaside nostalgia in Teignmouth. This Victorian pier is home to amusement arcades – an unmissable attraction if you have kids in tow or are fond of the 2p machines (like me!). The pier also has rides, ice cream and you can walk to the end for open views over the sea.
When we visited Teignmouth, a huge storm was lashing the coast. Waves were crashing against the sea wall and the pier was actually closed due to the weather. Keep reading to see my video of this storm!
Teignmouth To Dawlish Walk
This small stretch of the South West Coast Path is a must-do when visiting Teignmouth or Devon. The flat, paved walk takes you between Teignmouth and Dawlish along the South Devon Railway Sea Wall. You’ll be walking with the sea on one side, and the train line on the other. It’s pretty exhilarating when a train comes zooming past – fellow walkers often stop to enjoy that moment too!
The walk is 4.7 miles return and can be done in either direction. If you’d prefer not to tackle the whole length you have a couple of options to make it shorter:
- Start from Teignmouth and walk as far as the Teignmouth sign – about a mile.
- Walk all the way to Dawlish and take the train back. Both towns have railway stations.
Be careful on this walk – it’s a steep drop to the beach from the sea wall and no fence – I wouldn’t recommend this with younger children.
Also, keep an eye on the weather – during high tide or storms, the waves can break over the path and you’ll be right in the firing line.
Dawlish
The town of Dawlish is another lovely spot. It’s smaller and quieter than Teignmouth but charming in its own right, thanks in part to the duck pond that runs through the centre. You’ll still find classic seaside touches – amusements, ice cream and a sandy beach.
Dartmoor
As well as beautiful coastline, Devon has some cracking countryside. If you’re staying in Teignmouth you should absolutely head to Dartmoor National Park, just 30 minutes away. With its vast, craggy moorland, wild Dartmoor ponies and pretty villages, it’s an unmissable stop in South Devon.
Haytor Rocks
The landscape of Dartmoor is littered with granite tors, and Haytor Rocks is one of the most popular. It’s well set up for day trippers, with a visitor centre and car park, and it’s a short but steep walk up to the rocks. On the walk up, you’ll be treated to far-reaching views, and it’s a great place to spot wild ponies and Dartmoor cattle. At the top, the rocks are great fun for scrambling.
This part of Devon is very exposed (far-reaching views remember?), so on a blustery day you’ll feel the wind a lot. When we visited Haytor we almost got blown away – the wind was so strong. Scrambling on the rocks was out of the question.
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Close to Haytor Rocks is the pretty village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, known for its 120ft church tower – often referred to as the Cathedral of the Moors. As well as the church, you’ll find a handful of tea rooms, gift shops and cosy pubs.
The Rugglestone Inn, just on the edge of the village, is a top spot for lunch or a pint. Book ahead if you’re hoping to have Sunday lunch. If you miss out on a table at the Rugglestone, the next best option would be the The Old Inn in the village centre – a cosy spot to warm up with a hearty Sunday roast by the fire.
If you’re visiting in September, check out the annual Widecombe Fair – a traditional country fair dating back to the 1850s, featuring livestock shows, craft stalls, local food and folk music.
Ness Cove
Just across the bay from Teignmouth is Ness Cove. This hidden beach is only accessible via a long tunnel known as “Smugglers Tunnel” – which eventually opens up to a sheltered red-sand beach. It’s all very Famous Five! The beach is scenic and secluded and you may well have it all to yourself.
Salcombe
There are lots of other seaside towns sprinkled along the South Devon coast – from Torquay (setting of Fawlty Towers) to Brixham and Dartmouth, where you can take a tug ferry across the river. Driving the A379 coastal road will take you right through these towns and reward you with some magnificent views over the bays – they don’t call it the English Riviera for nothing!
But the prettiest of all has to be Salcombe. This spectacular coastal town has wonderful clifftop walks and an historic town centre that hugs the harbour. It’s one of the most attractive towns I’ve seen. With narrow lanes, elegant boutique shops and classy restaurants, Salcombe is undoubtedly an upmarket seaside resort – there’s no amusements here!
One surprise is that Salcombe has a lack of tea rooms, so don’t come hoping for a cream tea. Instead, you’ll find fudge shops, sweet shops and a pasty shop where I had the best Cornish pasty – although technically, you’re not allowed to call it that in Devon!
Just outside the town centre, you’ve got North Sands and South Sands – perfect for a family beach day.
Devonshire Cream Tea
If you visit Devon, you have to try a Devonshire cream tea – I think it’s the law. Most villages have a tea room or two where you can enjoy a pot of tea and a scone with jam and cream.
The National Trust tea rooms do this particularly well. Whether to put the jam or cream first is a matter of national debate. I answered this question, along with the great “scone” pronunciation debate, in my Devon trip report – read it here.
Otter Garden Centre
I want to give an honourable mention to Otter Garden Centre, Jack’s Patch – just outside Teignmouth, This wonderful garden centre is more like a mini department store, with homewares, gifts and a big toy section alongside the plants and garden ornaments.
There’s also a lovely cafe, which would be a perfect spot for coffee and cake, and seasonal displays that change through the year. This would be a magical place to visit at Christmas time.
Getting Around Teignmouth
The town is small and flat, so everything is walkable. You’ll need a car to explore beyond Teignmouth.
Teignmouth also has a train station, with connections to Exeter and then all the way to London. For the best prices on train tickets click here.
Where To Stay In Teignmouth, Devon
There are plenty of hotels and Airbnbs in Teignmouth – start here. Be aware that parking is limited, and many Airbnbs won’t include a dedicated parking space. There are a couple of paid car parks in the town centre where you can leave your car for a few days.
We recently visited Teignmouth as part of a month-long road trip around England. Read the full trip reports here.
Watch my video of our trip to Teignmouth – including that epic storm:
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