Dawlish

Famous for its black swans and railway that runs right along the beach, this coastal town sits where the red cliffs of Devon meet the sea. Dawlish Warren's nature reserve stretches east from the town centre, offering a proper contrast to the main beach where families gather to watch the trains thunder past just metres from the water's edge.

The town centre feels refreshingly unpretentious compared to some Devon resorts. Independent shops line the Strand, while The Lawn provides green space between the town and beach. It's the sort of place where locals still outnumber tourists outside peak season.

Most visitors come for the beach and the novelty of watching Inter-City trains negotiate the sea wall, but Dawlish Warren deserves more attention. The nature reserve here is one of Devon's most important wildlife sites, with rare plants thriving on the sand dunes and saltmarshes.

Exeter's just 20 minutes up the railway line, making this an easy day trip by train. By car, the A379 coastal road offers lovely views but gets clogged in summer - the train's usually quicker.

Camping nearby makes perfect sense. Golden Sands Holiday Park and Dawlish Sands Holiday Park put you within walking distance of the beach, while Devon Cliffs sits slightly inland with better facilities if you want a bit more comfort. The area's well set up for caravan holidays, and having your own transport means you can easily explore Teignmouth to the south or head inland to Dartmoor's edge without the summer parking hassles that plague day visitors.