Local Beaches

The South West is renowned for its beautiful beaches.

Exmouth

With 2 miles of sandy beach and sand dunes to explore there's plenty of room to go for a walk, paddle or swim, go beachcombing and rock pooling, or lie back and relax. Exmouth is also one of the best locations in the UK for both kite and windsurfing. The unique mix of sheltered estuary and coastal shoreline creates the ideal conditions for a wide range of watersports. There's paid parking available although perhaps the easiest way to get to Exmouth beach is by train from either Exeter Central station or Exeter St. David's train station. An off-peak day return is £2.25 with a 16-25 Railcard and the journey is around 27 minutes. Toilets, cafes, restaurants, kiosks and pubs are available on the beach front and in the town.

Dawlish Warren/ Dawlish

Dawlish Warren is located at the west side of the mouth of the River Exe that separates it from Exmouth. The beach is smooth and sandy with patches of grass banks in dunes farther inland. There are also amusement arcades and a small funfair. Situated close to the beach is a nature reserve which is one of the region’s protected spots with rare wildlife including flowers and birds. Perhaps the easiest way to get to Dawlish Warren is by train from either Exeter Central or Exeter St. David's train station. An off-peak day return is £2.25 with a 16-25 Railcard and the journey is around 22 minutes.

Saunton Sands

If you'd like to venture slightly farther out of Exeter, North Devon beaches can be a welcome change of scenery. Saunton Sands is a three-mile long expanse of sandy beach facing due west backed by sand dunes and cut off to the south by the combined estuaries of the rivers Taw and Torridge.

This is a popular beach with surfers and ideal for families. Facilities available include toilets, shop and the Sands Café Bar. To access Saunton Sands for a day trip form Exeter you can either drive (paid parking is available) or take the train from Exeter Central or St. David’s train station to Barnstaple, and then a bus onwards from Barnstaple bus station to Saunton Sands.

Tunnels Beach

Slightly further out and less accessible from Exeter than Dawlish or Exmouth, the Tunnels Beach in Ilfracombe is still well worth a visit and would make a great day trip. Hand carved in the 1820s, the four tunnels provide a unique experience. For a day trip form Exeter you can either drive (paid parking is available in the town) or take the train from Exeter Central or St. David’s to Barnstaple, and then a bus onwards from Barnstaple bus station to Ilfracombe.

For more information visit www.tunnelsbeaches.co.uk

The Moors

The wild and wonderful Moors are definitely worth a visit.

Exmoor

Exmoor National Park covers 267 square miles of the beautiful rolling Devon and Somerset countryside. Whatever time of year you visit Exmoor's beauty is a sight to remember. There's an endless choice of historic sites and glorious gardens, colourful family attractions and steam railway rides, craft workshops and wildlife parks as well as the acres of unspoilt countryside and coastline. In addition to outstanding walking and horse riding, there is everything from mountain biking to golf, wildlife safaris to windsurfing. For more information about what to see and do and how to get there visitwww.exmoor-nationalpark.gov.uk and www.visit-exmoor.co.uk

Dartmoor

 Dartmoor is a wonderful place to visit all year round. With nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, endangered birds, rare plants and thousands of archaeological sites, including burial chambers, stone circles and menhirs - more than anywhere else in North Western Europe - there is something of interest for everyone on Dartmoor.

The weather on Dartmoor can be unpredictable and often very different from the coastal areas of Devon. The higher altitude and exposed nature of the landscape gives parts of Dartmoor more extreme climatic conditions. Dartmoor has lots of attractions to enjoy including castles and historic houses, gardens, museums and heritage centres. There are also forest walks, waterfalls, animal and wildlife parks, railways, arts and crafts centres and farmers' markets. As well as places to visit you can enjoy a whole host of activities ranging from moorland walks, cycling, fishing and golf to swimming, outdoor pursuits and adventure.

For further information on Dartmoor including bus and train times visit www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk you can also call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 for further details on getting to Dartmoor.