Dawlish Warren

[@arthurmee]

Ah another lovely video Paul and another part of Devon that is close to my heart.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you! Although I lived in South Devon (specifically South Milton and, later, Dartmouth) for several years, I have never explored fully here before. Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Cheers, Paul.

[@LindaJanicePhillips]

Hi Paul I love your walks, follow them from Australia… hope to visit again next year and do a West Country tour thanks to your great videos

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Linda. Yes, this place is a gem of the South Devon coast, and super easy to get to as well. Thank you for your kind comments. I have been to Australia a couple of times, as I have relatives in South Australia. It is certainly a place you could spend a lifetime exploring and still only see a fraction of it. Take care, Paul.

[@michaelpilling531]

Hello Paul - greetings from Poland. A lovely video. Superb camera work with a great commentary explaining everything we can see and do. I hope the people around the amusement aear wasn't too much for you. The rest of the Warren was beautiful. A great place to rnjoy nature birds and fauna.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Michael! I must admit that I did enjoy the lively atmosphere around the funfair and the go karts, as it was never that busy, and there was plenty of open space. I did not go inside the funfair itself, but shot the scenes from afar. That part of Dawlish Warren added as a counter part to the nature reserve. It is a wonderful combination. Thank you for your kind words. Take care, Paul.

[@RichardPrice1967]

Hi Paul. A marvellous film of one of my favourite places. As a local birdwatcher, I visit the Warren many times throughout the year. It really is a special place and home to much rare flora and fauna. You have highlighted the contrast between the tourist areas and the nature reserve perfectly, even though they are so close. The far end of the beach is always quiet but this is a major bird roosting area, so just as well. By the last groyne, you can access Warren Point which is a large scrub area with a circular path giving fanastic views up the river towards Exeter. You can often see seals hauled out on the sandbanks or perhaps a migrating osprey fishing the river. The Point and the far end of the beach can get cut off at high tide though so timing is important. Looking forward to all your future videos.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Ah, thank you Richard, and thanks for an excellent comment - much appreciated! I would like to spend more time there out of season and filming more of the nature in depth, though I do have a nature focussed video coming up soon which I filmed recently on the Gloucestershire-Worcestershire borders. Thank you for watching and commenting, Cheers, Paul

[@davidberlanny3308]

Hi Paul, oh the British seaside!! Really surprising to see the nature reserve so close to railway and funfare. Seeing all those groynes reminds me of my time at the beach as a kid with the family, we would make enormous ponds and play beach cricket, happy memories!! I was intrigued by Langstone Rock, I wonder how it got its name? Only a few days ago I was in the village of Langstone, but that is near Portsmouth. It's a great place to visit if you are ever nearby, a disused railway, tidal ponds, windmills and great coastal walk awaits you (just posted some pics) and the locals are really friendly, especially if you come armed with bread to feed them!! What a fantastic shot across the empty sands, I don't think there was a single footprint ....... I guess Man Friday was on the go karts!! A great advert for the area, well done!! Have a great weekend!!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you David! Yes, as others have said, The Warren is a place of contrasts as well as beauty. I could not believe just how empty it was down the far end of the beach, but that is a good thing for the wildlife. Thanks for the photos - I have not been on Instagram for a little while; I will pop over there as soon as I can. Thanks for your kind words. I have never been to Portsmouth, but since the May railway timetable changes, I notice that there is a (very!) early through train from my local station to Southhampton (another place I have never been too) - which I think is fairly close to Portsmouth. Thanks so much! Take care, Paul

[@davidberlanny3308]

I'm sure there would be plenty of services to Portsmouth from Southampton. In Southampton you will find some old town walls and an aviation museum as for blue plaques maybe they put one up for Benny Hill ..... but I'm just joking, local town rivalry!! I confess I don't really know it very well, Portsmouth on the other hand has a lot to offer, would thoroughly recommend visiting the Historical Dockyard to see the Mary Rose, even if naval history isn't your thing. This was raised from the seafloor in 1982, 400 years after sinking and is now being preserved. The story of its discovery, raising and and preservation is quite something. We played a very small part by housing Swedish divers who came to dive on the wreck!! Of literature then Dickens, Doyle, Wells, Kipling and Neville Shute all spent time there (more on Neville Shute soon) The house where Dickens was born is a museum. Some interesting walks along the seashore and sea front some crowded but plenty of more secluded parts as well

[@goexploringwithcolor-shawn]

The beach looks so pretty, love the views there and surrounding . Vey enjoyed watching this fabulous captures😍❤️👍👍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you! Yes this place is a gem of the South Devon Coast. While not exactly hidden, it is a place where you can enjoy the spirit of the seaside but also, just a short walk away, enjoy nature, peace and quiet too. A great combination! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Take care, Paul.

[@SouthWestSundays]

This video is lovely Paul! A really relaxing watch. You really highlighted so well the peacefulness and beauty of this area even in peak season. Even the fair and gocarting was captured in a peaceful and calm way. It was a joy to watch.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Louise! I really enjoyed my afternoon here. It was such a wonder to walk on that empty beach at the end of the warren. Thanks so much! Paul

[@FXWalesAnnaAlf]

I watched all of this by myself Paul and will be showing it to Alf tomorrow when he has time to watch. This brought back memories of a few holidays here when our kids were small, such a lovely place and you showed it so well as you always do with your videos . So good 👍~ Anna

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Anna! Hope Alf likes it too. I had only been there once previously, and that was for just an hour, so it was good to have a bit more time to look around. Thanks so much for your kind comments. Take care, Paul.

[@Barbara-qm1usa]

This was so beautiful and peaceful. The ocean is one of my favorite places to visit because of the calming effect it has. Enjoyed this video very much. Thank you Paul. Barbara

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Barbara! Glad you enjoyed it - yes, I agree, it is very calming. Take care, Paul.

[@JessesGrandDaysOut]

We used to have a caravan in Dawlish Warren and would come for a week or more every year so was so lovely to be transported back. The funfair seems to have the same rides it always had and I've spent many an hour in the big arcade at the top near the beach. We used to bring the tokens home and would come back year after year with bags of the things not realising you weren't meant to take them home - oops! The beach is lovely especially as you showed when you get past the sea wall area - no matter the time of year this part of the beach is always quiet. Another favourite spot of ours is just past the red rock in the other direction towards Dawlish with great views of the trains going past - train drivers often honk their horn if you ask them to as they go past! There used to be loads of little huts lining the path up to the beach which used to sell trinkets and beach toys - such a shame they replaced these with the hexagonal unit at the top. Sadly there is only 1 direct train to Dawlish Warren a week from Bristol (goes on a Saturday evening arriving at about 6:30pm). Otherwise, you have to change at either Exeter or Newton Abbot. Lovely video though and really captured the atmosphere I remember - thank you! 😍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Jesse! I was lucky that I managed to get a through train back to Gloucestershire! It left around 6.30pm - taking me back to Cam & Dursley Station (it went on to Gloucester) . That's a great comment - brilliant! I am so glad that it brought back some memories for you. I tended to go to Weymouth as a child with some trips to Weston-super-Mare too. Dawlish Warren must have been a magical place as you were growing up. I could not believe just how quiet the beach was further out - I was certainly expecting it to be busier. Thanks so much, Cheers, Paul

[@ParkinsonsWalks]

Hi Paul, lovely, we used to go camping in Dawlish Warren many years ago. My next film is one of my brother-in-laws from Dawlish. Small world. Thanks for the memories. Ron

[@westcountrywanderings]

Hi Ron, Always a pleasure to hear from you. This is part of Devon I don't know that well -when I lived there, I lived in the village of South Milton (near Salcombe, but also a world away from it, and its lavish lifestyles!) and latterly, Dartmouth. So, this part of the coast is less familiar. I was most impressed with Dawlish Warren - as others have mentioned, a place of great contrasts. I look forward to your brother-in-laws film. Take care, Paul

[@royedwards8713]

hi Paul nice video ,its somewhere i go its a great place to visit 👌👌😊

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Roy! It is a lovely place. First time I have had chance to explore it properly. I really enjoyed my afternoon there. Take care, Paul.

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Hello Paul. That was a great visit to a beautiful part of South Devon. Brought memories back for sure. When I was first married, with two small children, we spent many a week down there, driving our old Austin A30 to one of the caravan parks and spending our days on the sandy beach. Thanks for the memories.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Lionel and Mary! Glad you enjoyed it. It is a super spot. Glad too it brought back memories for you. Take care, Paul

[@Somersetmanwalking]

Beautiful and captivating video Paul, excellent!👌👍👍👍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Darren! Glad you enjoyed my little trip to Dawlish Warren. It is amazing that although I filmed this in August, the nature reserve and end of the beach ⛱️ was almost deserted, but I was delighted about that, but good, too, to see people out and about enjoying themselves. Take care, Paul

[@michaelmiller641]

A well crafted video, Paul. Nice use of music there, too, particularly in the end sequence! Keep 'em coming!

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Michael! As you can imagine, it did take a little while to put it together - a bit like assembling a jigsaw puzzle. I enjoyed the process though, and I enjoyed my afternoon there. A lovely spot. Thanks for a great comment. Cheers, Paul.

[@omdhori]

Suasana alam yang indah dan menyenangkan sukses selalu ❤❤❤👍👍👍

[@westcountrywanderings]

Terima kasih atas kata-kata baik dan untuk berkomentar. Berhati-hatilah, Paulus.

[@simonlawphotography]

I've passed by Dawlish Warren many a time on the train and although I knew there was a national nature reserve, have not yet explored the area. Thank you for your video, next time I will take some time to look around.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Simon. Yes, this was my first in depth look around The Warren. Unfortunately I had to head back to Gloucestershire, so I was unable to do any photography here during the 'Golden Hour'. It is a fabulous spot for landscape photography given some dramatic lighting conditions. It is well worth a look at any time of the day or time of year though. Take care, Paul.

[@TedCarolCollins]

Hello Paul, Never ventured to Dawlish Warren, from your video it looks well worth a visit.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Hi Ted, This was my first proper visit - I had a fleeting visit here last year, but it was good to have an afternoon for a fuller explore. I was most impressed, and I really enjoyed the contrasts between different aspects of it. Thanks so much! God Bless, Paul

[@cathydyer3774]

Thanks Paul. There is something there for everyone. I loved the views of Exmouth and it is interesting about the sand being whiter further along. You certainty enjoyed the beaches to yourself further away from the crowds.🙂

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Cathy! Glad you enjoyed it. I was most impressed and I liked the family fun atmosphere as well as the quiet nature spots. It is the contrast between the two which sets it apart. Thanks again! Take care, Paul

[@billmorris8358]

Spent so many happy summer family holidays at Dawlish Warren. Staying in a caravan park, but back in the 60s, the amusement and hospitality wasn’t as developed as it is today. But to an 8 year old kid, the sand, sea, groynes and the tidal breaking boulders were sufficient playground for a little boy. The wooden shacks that lined the boardwalk down to the beach, hosted a few beach paraphernalia stalls, an early fast food stall, (fish and chip purveyor, a few souvenir stalls, and a bingo hut. The pleasure fair ground wasn’t as extensive as it is now. Even back when l was a child there was an embryonic beginnings of what is now the go-cart track. But l well remember the beached railway carriages, which if memory serves me correctly, even in the 60s were used as holiday rental accommodation. Oh the memories. My older brother took himself off to the nature reserve, as l was content enough to have my own adventures climbing through the huge seafront boulders. What memories indeed. Thank you for a video that the past back to life for me.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Oh yes, Dawlish Warren is a super location, and as you say it is more developed now but there are still places where you can find peace and quiet there. I am so delighted that this little video brought back memories for you. Thank you so much for a really lovely comment. Take care, Paul

[@dianarolph1770]

I did enjoy that trip to Dawlish Warren & I had to watch it twice too!!I find I don’t notice everything 1st time around especially if it’s packed with information like this was & if I’ve never been before! I’m so pleased you went despite it being high season and that you enjoyed it as well.I fear the lack of people could be to do with the price rises we’ve been experiencing. I think families have to cost everything out- the fairground rides, drinks,food, car parking etc. I’m hoping the tourist industry doesn’t suffer because of this. I liked the contrast between the nature reserve and the fairground- something for everyone.😊

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Diana! Yes, I was particularly struck with the contrast between the two parts of The Warren - indeed something for everyone! As I mentioned, this was my first thorough tour around The Warren, but there was more that I did not see. Although parts of it were busy, I do suspect that it was not as busy as previous years due to a combination of the cost of living crisis and poor weather (it had been wet for three days prior to my trip). Thanks so much for watching and commenting, Take care, Paul

[@shaunspencer6437]

I recently visited Dawlish Warren and didnt enjoy it really as has become very noisy with the funfair now there. It used to be the quieter end of the Dawlish bay. Still you got a lovely video together and im glad the very far end 18:32 of the bay is as it was. Great to see the Punch and Judy show though i bet the act has changed since we were kids.😂😂

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Shaun. This was my first proper visit to Dawlish Warren, but I did have a brief visit December before last when the weather was better (i.e. cooler, and full sun all day) than here. I quite liked the contrast between the noise of the families enjoying themselves, and the peace and tranquility of nature at the Exmouth end of the beach. It is good to see the nature reserve is being taken good care of, despite the ravages of nature and the hoardes of tourists, as well a pollution wash up from the channel and the river. It is a place of real contrast. Surprisingly, the Punch & Judy show had changed little from the shows I used to see in Weymouth when I was young. It is still very much politically incorrect! Glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Take care, Paul

[@faithg9766]

Who stole all the sausages? I think it was the naughty crocodile, Punch & Judy is about the most politically incorrect thing ever, but children still absolutely love it, and I think the parents do to. Dawlish Warren information centre looks a great little place, so much information. How amazing that so close to the funfair is that huge & pretty quiet beach.

[@westcountrywanderings]

Oh, gosh, yes, very politically incorrect! First time I have seen a Punch & Judy show in a very long time - still seemed to be very popular! Yes, the information centre was staffed too, so you could ask any questions about the warren that you may have. I loved my afternoon here. Thank you Faith! Cheers, Paul.

[@stephenchappell7512]

Possibly one of the most contrasting of your videos Paul with even the 'Senior Service' getting a look-in in the form of a Lynx Wildcat helicopter I have been finding that the forecasts have been (deliberately?) downbeat lately almost as if they're wishing people to stay at home? 🤔

[@westcountrywanderings]

Thank you Stephen! Yes, I always find it surprising that people find it surprising that August is wet - it is habitually one of the wettest months of the year, and has been for the past 15 years. Roll on drier September & October! But, I get your point about the forecasts too. Frequently, if there is a rain shower that lasts an hour or less, the forecast will say it is a wet day, when over 90% of the total day is actually dry! Maybe they are frightened of an insurance claim! Yes, Dawlish Warren is a place of deep contrasts - I actually appreciated all of it - the busy family seaside atmosphere, the landscapes, the beauty and the nature. It is a wonderful package. Thanks again, Take care, Paul

[@stephenchappell7512]

@@westcountrywanderings Yes you do have a point about the weather with people remembering the more severe winters of our childhood in the 60's and 70's however most people were not alive at the time of the 'dust-bowl' 1930's which goes to show that weather has always been in cycles with most of us only being able to witness two in a lifetime