Dawlish Warren Holidays

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Look, I’ve stayed at my fair share of holiday parks around Devon, and Dawlish Warren Holidays actually surprised me in the best way possible. When you first pull up to Welcome Holiday Park, it doesn’t look like much from the outside – just another caravan site off the main road through Dawlish. But honestly, once you’re settled in, you realize why this place keeps getting such solid reviews.

The real magic here is the location, and I mean that in a way that goes beyond the usual “close to the beach” nonsense you read everywhere. You’re literally a five-minute walk from Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve – which, if you haven’t been, is this incredible stretch of sand dunes and bird watching spots that most tourists completely miss. The beach itself is proper family-friendly too, none of that rocky Devon coastline that looks pretty but murders your feet. My kids spent hours just running around in the shallow water, and there’s actually a decent little café right on the beach that does surprisingly good fish and chips. The train line runs right behind the warren, and you know what? Instead of being annoying, watching the bright red trains chug past became this oddly charming part of our daily routine.

What I really appreciated about staying here was how the staff seemed to know their stuff without being pushy about it. Check-in was quick – no standing around for ages while they explain seventeen different activity packages you don’t want. The accommodations themselves are clean and well-maintained, though I’ll be honest, the shower pressure could be better. But the beds were comfortable, and there’s proper heating for those unpredictable Devon evenings when the temperature drops. The on-site facilities are pretty decent too – there’s a swimming pool that’s actually warm enough to use (you’d be surprised how rare that is), and the kids’ play area kept mine occupied for hours. The evening entertainment is hit or miss, depending on your taste, but it’s nice to have the option. What really sold me was how easy it is to explore from here – you can catch the train directly to Exeter from Dawlish station, which is just a short walk away, or drive down to Teignmouth in about ten minutes. We ended up doing day trips to both, plus hiking sections of the South West Coast Path, which picks up right from the warren. The whole area feels like you’re getting the authentic Devon experience without the crowds you’d find in places like Torquay or Salcombe.