General Discussion
Hi All, I will be staying in Torquay and planning to take a train to Dawlish for a day trip. (I do have a car, but a train might be more fun).
This will be late September so not for sitting on the beach. Question is, will there be enough "touristy" things to do when I get there? Should I be heading to Dawlish or Dawlish Warren? Ideally I am looking for a few Antique shops, nice pubs, and I see there is an attractive river in some photos.
I am only down there for 4 days so I don't want to get somewhere and find there's nothing there.
Any help planning my stay would be appreciated.
Thanks
Just to add, the other possible destination is Teignmouth if someone could advise if this is a better option than Dawlish?
No Antique Shops (plenty of antique residents) in Dawlish, but theres a couple in Teignmouth.
6 Charity shops, there is a stream that runs through the centre of town called the Brook, I reckon you could do Dawlish and Teignmouth in 1day. The Warren is just beach and thats where all holiday camps are, enjoy
As you don't want to use your car here are two suggestions.
By bus - the local bus operator (Stage Coach I think it is) does a day ticket that enables you to get on and off their buses as many times as you wish. I can't remember what the ticket is called - something like a Day Ranger (but feel sure the bus driver would know what you meant). Costs around about £7.50 for the day for one person, about £14.00 for a family. So, what I would suggest is that if it is a nice day why not buy one of those tickets and travel as far as Cockwood Harbour. There are two nice pubs there - The Anchor and The Ship. You can then walk along the bike/footpath into Dawlish Warren and have a look around there. Lovely views across the estuary towards Exmouth and Orcombe Point. And if you are 'into' nature check out the nature reserve. If it is low tide you can then walk along the sea wall into Dawlish (if high tide though you will need to use the cliff top path). There are lots of 'eateries' in Dawlish and also pubs which I am told do food (Exeter Inn is one of them I think). Have a walk along the Brook. Very pretty. Buy an ice-cream at Gayes? Visit the Dawlish museum. Not a lot of shops in Dawlish. No antique ones (plenty of charity ones though!). You can then catch the bus towards Teignmouth. If you haven't yet eaten get off at The Smugglers Inn and get a bite to eat and a beer there. You could then, if you so wished, continue to walk along the cliff top path and into Teignmouth or take the bus instead. T'mouth has more shops then Dawlish and is also a port, so is busier. From T'mouth take the bus back to Torquay (leaves every hour I believe from T'mouth).
Or, of course you could do the whole thing the other way around (starting off in T'mouth ending up in Cockwood).
By train - alternatively you could buy a Devon Day Ranger ticket. costs £10.00 adults, £5.00 children. Valid after 0900 on weekdays, no restrictions at weekends or on Bank Holidays. If you have a railcard of any kind (disabled, student, young persons, senior citizen etc) then the ticket is £6.60. This ticket, like the bus ticket enables you to get one and off the trains on the day that the ticket is valid for. (You can travel as far afield as Barnstaple, Axminster and Plymouth using it). So, you could travel to Starcross and then walk down towards Cockwood. Itinerary the same as above for the bus but then at Dawlish Warren, if it is high tide, instead of walking along into Dawlish you could catch the train from DW into Dawlish Town and then from Dawlish Town catch the train into T'mouth and then from T'mouth catch the train back to Torqay. Or,as with the bus, do it the other way around (T'mouth first, ending up at Starcross).
Hope that helps. Have a nice stay and I hope the weather is kind.
Thanks Brazilnut. Plan is to get somewhere, have pub lunch, look around some shops, admire the view and get back to Torquay for teatime. I will GoogleEarth but without knowing the area, I'm afraid I might miss something. I doubt if it will be beach weather.
Sounds like Teignmouth might be the best bet. We have enough charity shops where I live!
The other stops are Cocklington and Brixham with one full day in Torquay, so that's my mini-break planned. 
Thanks again for your help.
Many thanks Lynne, just saw your post. Some very good suggestions, particularly on the bus route. My only reasons for not taking the car is 1) limited parking where I am staying, 2) being able to have a pint or two. I'm not really a bus person though, so might take up your suggestions, go by car and stick to soft drinks.
Going late season there isn't much on around Torbay, so your suggestions are most welcome.
Dawlish all the way!! Beautiful town, great sea wall walks, stunning river stroll ..... then a train ride to Topsham for the antique shops and the antique market. But a stop at Dawlish is a MUST!!
Ah yes, forgot to say (because I was so busy concentrating on Dawlish) that you can also get to Topsham by train or bus (see my posting above). Tis t'other side of the Exe Estuary but it does have a 3 storey Antiques Centre on its quayside.
By bus you would have to change at Exeter.
By train it is straight through (catch the Paignton to Exmouth train from Torquay) and then you will experience the stunning views afforded by 'our' rail-line of both the Teign and the Exe estuaries.
(and don't forget to stop off at Dawlish!)
Hi.
As suggested, Dawlish and Teignmouth can be done in a day
As you are in Torquay, for another day out, you could do the Round Robin.
Go to the Steam train section at Paignton Station to get your ticket.
Walk round the corner to get the bus to Totnes. (Just show the RR ticket)
Have a quick look round Totnes before getting the boat to Dartmouth.
After a look round Dartmouth, you get the little ferry across to Kingswear where you board the Steam Train back to Paignton.
A great day out.
http://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/times-fares/round-robin-timetable/starting-in-paignton
Enjoy your stay.
Thanks again for some great suggestions. I did the Paignton steam train last year which was great, but this time I am looking to explore going north. Topsham is on way home so that could be a good stop.
Now you've given me some ideas, I'll do some more research on the areas you have suggested.
Lets hope for an Indian summer!
I just did a walk from Dawlish to the Ship at Cockwood. I was pleasantly surprised at the footpath from Dawlish Warren to Cockwood, didn't realise it was even there! The cliff pathway from Dawlish towards Dawlish Warren is much improved, although the sea wall offers better views. You could start in Teignmouth, get the train to Dawlish, wander round the town and then walk on to Cockwood (couple of hours at a slow pace). If you have more energy in you you could walk a bit further to Starcross and get the ferry to Exmouth and from there the train on to Topsham.
Well I'm here. Cost £5 return from Torquay, includes a stop at Teignmouth. Currently having a pint of Wild Cat at the Brunswick and looking for pub lunch later. Might try the Marine.
