Nelson House

Horatio Nelson spent his early years in this modest Georgian house before becoming Britain's greatest naval hero. Standing on the main street in Dawlish, the red-brick building looks perfectly ordinary from the outside - which rather adds to its appeal. You're looking at where the future Admiral of the Fleet lived as a boy, long before Trafalgar made him a legend.

History buffs will find plenty to appreciate, though don't expect grand rooms or elaborate displays. The house itself tells the story through its simple Georgian proportions and period features. Naval enthusiasts particularly enjoy connecting this quiet Devon setting with Nelson's later adventures on the high seas.

Families staying at nearby holiday parks like Haven Devon Cliffs or Golden Sands will find it makes a decent hour-long stop, especially if the weather turns. The kids might need a bit of context about who Nelson actually was, but it's a proper slice of local history that's well worth the short drive from the coast. Dawlish itself has enough cafes and shops to make a morning of it, and you're only a few minutes from the famous railway line that runs right along the sea wall.