Dawlish Sands
Favourite'It seemed rather surprising to him that anybody could live in Devonshire without living near Dawlish,’ wrote Jane Austen in Sense and Sensibility, which we think shows jolly good taste on her part. We think she would also have approved of somewhere like the family holiday park Dawlish Sands a short stroll away from the beach at Dawlish Warren, hitching up her petticoat to run the race track in the arcade zone, jumping into the heated indoor or outdoor pool in a Victorian swimming costume and bonnet, or giggling coquettishly at the family entertainment in the Devonshire Tap clubhouse while lowering her fan to try and spot a Darcy lookalike. Or maybe that’s just us.
Twenty-first century families will find plenty to like at this Park Holidays site on the English Riviera too, with comfy accommodation in swish caravans, a Loopy Kids’ Club for little loopers to whirl about in, and Sky Sports and free wifi in the clubhouse (Sky and wifi packages are also available in your caravan for a reasonable additional charge). There’s also an adventure playground to properly tire the kids out, before you ‘challenge’ them (i.e. defeat them soundly) at the games in the arcade and amusement zone, then take to the sun terrace at the outdoor pool to bask in rays and grown-up triumph.
Accommodation at Dawlish Sands is in two or three bedroom caravans on different price tariffs, all with kitchen facilities, TV and linen provided. Foodwise, everything is laid on at the park: there’s a restaurant with takeaway for family meals and a mini mart on site. And if you do decide to venture off site, there’s a steam railway and cycle park right beside the park for puff or pedal sightseeing.
Dawlish Sands guests can also use the facilities at the nearby Park Holidays site Golden Sands, with heated indoor and outdoor pool complexes, an Adventure Land Play Area, and yet more going Loopy at the kids' clubs.
Nearby attractions and activities
Make the beach at Dawlish Warren your first stop: this two mile sandy stretch is a clean and safe spot backed with sand dunes and with old style seaside shenanigans: fairground rides, Punch and Judy, crazy golf and free events during summer; pooches are welcome too from 1 April to 30 September and the beach is lifeguarded during peak season. Dust the sand off your toes and also make your way to the Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve with its several different habitats and the wading birds and wildfowl of the Exe Estuary, before taking naturally curious caravanners to the award-winning Pennywell Farm for guinea pigs and go-karting.
For non-strenuous sightseeing, the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway chuffs for seven miles along the Torbay coast from Paignton to Churston with seascape scenery across Lyme Bay to Portland Bill spottable on clear days, or take a cruise on the River Dart from Dartmouth to Totnes. A swashbuckling day out can be had at the Golden Hind, the full-sized replica of Sir Francis Drake’s sixteenth century ship at Brixham, where you can go under deck to see how his sailors lived or go aaaarr every Thursday in season with the Brixham Buccaneers. The twelfth century home of the Earl of Devon, Powderham Castle, is also worth a look for time traveller types, as is Topsham Museum, set in seventeenth century buildings overlooking the Exe Estuary.
Day trips in the area include the towns of Torquay and Paignton, although when the kids realise the Crealy Great Adventure Park is just seven miles away from the park it’s likely there’ll be a day there too; they might also clamour for a trip swinging among the trees at Go Ape! or getting their revenge for you beating them in arcade games by paintballing the parents at Ashcombe Adventure Centre.
Attractions near Dawlish Sands
Must see
- Crealy Great Adventure Park (7.3 miles)
- Exeter Cathedral - Church of Saint Peter (9.0 miles)
- Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site (10.5 miles)
National Trust
- A la Ronde (3.2 miles)
- Killerton: Clyston Mill (11.1 miles)
Cycle routes
Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.
Activities near Dawlish Sands
Dawlish Warren (0.4 miles) Beach - Excellent Water Quality Beaches Surfing
Dawlish Town (1.7 miles) Beaches
Exmouth (2.1 miles) Beach - Excellent Water Quality Beaches Surfing
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Leisure on site
Bar or club house
Cycle hire
Evening entertainment
Fishing
Fitness centre
Games room
Indoor swimming pool
Kids' club
On-site restaurant/cafe
Outdoor swimming pool
Play area
TV room
Take away
Tennis
Watersports
Amenities on site
Bath available
Car parking by pitch
Disabled facilities
Drying room
Food shop
Free wifi
Ice pack freezing
Internet access
Launderette
Parent & baby washroom
Pick-up from public transport
Public telephone
Shower available
Toilet block
Washing-up area
Wifi
Utilities
Charging facilities
Chemical disposal
Gas cylinders available
Recycling available
Renewable energy
Rules
Campfires allowed
Commercial vehicles allowed
Dogs allowed
Themes
Spectacular scenery
Nearby leisure
Cycle hire nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golf nearby
Horse riding nearby
Indoor pool nearby
Leisure/theme park nearby
Restaurant nearby
Sailing nearby
Groups welcome
Family friendly
Motorcycle friendly
Single-sex groups welcome
Student groups welcome
Nearby amenities
Bar nearby
Public transport nearby
Shop nearby
Type
Large (51-200 pitches)
Ordnance Survey maps (GB and Northern Ireland only) are available at lower levels via the drop-down menu.
Nearest transport
- Coach stations
-
Starcross: Rail Station Coach Stop — 1.7mi
Dawlish Coach Stop — 1.8mi
Exmouth Bus Station — 1.9mi
- Train stations
-
Dawlish Warren Rail Station — 0.3mi
Starcross Rail Station — 1.7mi
Dawlish Rail Station — 1.8mi
- Ferry ports
-
Exmouth Ferry Landing — 1.4mi
Starcross Ferry Landing — 1.6mi
Turf Lock Inn Ferry Landing — 4.2mi
- Airports
-
Exeter International Airport — 8.9mi
Directions
Only 10 miles from the M5, leave the motorway at junction 30 and follow the A379 towards Dawlish. After Starcross, at Cockwood Harbour, turn left over the bridge and left again through the village signed to Dawlish Warren. Dawlish Sands Holiday Park is one mile further along the road, on the left as you enter Dawlish Warren.
Permitted arrival time
4pm
Cancellation policy
Cancellation by you
Should you need to cancel your booking, you must advise us using the telephone number in your confirmation email and then confirm this cancellation in writing to us, by post, fax, or email quoting your booking reference number. Your cancellation will only be effective as at the date we receive your written confirmation. Our cancellation charges are those detailed below unless you have taken out our ‘Cancellation Protection Plan’ (available when paying your balance):
Cancellation charges as a % total cost:
Period before arrival date (excluding credit card charges)
More than 56 days loss of deposit
56 - 43 days 50%
42 - 29 days 60%
28 - 8 days 80%
7 days or under 100%
If you need to cut short your holiday after it has commenced, we regret that we are unable to refund any monies paid.
Cancellation by us
In exceptional circumstances, we may have to cancel your booking. If we do so we will tell you as soon as possible prior to your holiday date and you may choose either to receive a full refund or accept an alternative holiday, with us, at the brochure price. If we have to cancel because of circumstances beyond our control (e.g. damage, maintenance, fire, theft or flood) we will pay a full refund. If we cancel for reasons beyond our reasonable control we will have no further liability to you other than the offer of a full refund or a similar holiday at a similar price. The company reserves the right to move customers to upgraded accommodation without prior notice and at the company’s expense.
Please note that your deposit paid to Pitchup.com is non-refundable.
Payment of balance
Our booking staff will contact you for the balance 8 weeks before your holiday start date (or after submission of your Pitchup.com booking if the booking is for within 8 weeks). If payment is not made by this date then we will assume that your holiday has been cancelled and we may re-sell the holiday to another customer. We reserve the right to pass on any costs or bank charges we incur if we have to re-submit a cheque for payment or a cheque is declined for non payment.
An administration fee of 2% will be applied to all balance payments made by credit card (minimum charge £1.00). This charge will not exceed £5.00 per transaction. There is no charge for debit card payments.
Cards accepted on the park
American ExpressMaestro
Visa
Terms and conditions
Site booking terms and conditionsPlease note
We will not accept bookings where the lead customer is under the age of 18 and will not accept bookings where half or more of your party is aged between 17 and 25.
We do not accept bookings from large all-male or all-female parties and have the right to cancel any online booking that breaches our terms before the holiday arrival date and/or reserve the right to refuse entry or not to hand over accommodation to any person or groups of persons, at our discretion.
Check availability at Dawlish Sands…
Superior 12ft-wide caravan with one double, one twin and a single room, plus pull out sofa bed in lounge. Full kitchen facillities, TV and DVD, linen provided. No pets.
Max. persons: 7x
Superior 12ft-wide caravan with one double, and two twin, plus pull out sofa bed in lounge. Full kitchen facillities, TV and DVD, linen provided. No pets.
Max. persons: 8x
Quality caravan with one double and one twin room, pull out sofa bed in lounge. Full kitchen facillities, TV, linen provided. No pets.
Max. persons: 6x
