Teignmouth in England is a beautiful coastal town in southern England that is frequently overlooked by travellers. Teignmouth is made up of long sandy beaches, Georgian architecture, and delicious food, all surrounded by the luxurious Devon countryside.
The town is a haven for any nature or architecture lover looking to get off the beaten path on their next English adventure. Here’s how to get there and what to do.
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Essential Teignmouth Travel Tips
When to Visit
Teignmouth hosts boisterous festivals all year long, such as the Poetry Festival in March, the Folk Festival in June, and the Jazz Festival in November, so there is no bad time to visit, although it can get pretty cold in the winter months. Temperatures range from a maximum of 18°C/64.4°F in summer to 3°C/37.4°F in winter.
The weather around here is kinda ever changing (coastal, you know). So come prepared for both sunshine and rain and particularly for wind. It’s a good idea to wear your hair in a ponytail or wear a fancy (and well attached) hair scarf/band for a cute look. Long, open hair might just block your view.
How to Get There
From Ashburton, you take the bus 88 to Newton Abbot. From there, you can choose to either jump into bus 2 or 184. Alternatively, you can take the GWR train towards Exmouth or London.
From Torquay, Paignton or Brixham, you can take the bus 12 or 22. Alternatively, you can get off at Shaldon and take the quaint vintage ferry across, which is a popular tourist attraction.
A bus day ticket for Devon might actually be cheaper than a return ticket and is 8.30 GBP. Just make sure you check the bus times – especially the last one. They aren’t that regular and don’t leave late in the evening.
Where to Stay
Teignmouth is small, so your choice of Teignmouth hotels is limited. If you are only looking for a short day trip, I recommend staying near Totnes, so you have easy access all over Devon and are closer to Dartmoor.
Booking.comThings of Note
Teignmouth and Devon in general are really quite safe. Perfect for female solo travel! I never felt weird and locals are super friendly. For instance, a few times I got stranded (mostly exploring Dartmoor or missing the last bus) and was able to hitchhike without a problem.
The seaside town is ideal for promenading, stretching out in the sun along the harbour or beach and doing seaside activities, such as paddleboarding. There is no need to just be “passive” with shopping. Explore the shoreline in fun ways!
Some local stagecoach buses have free WiFi. Unless you have a European sim card with which you have the same tariff and access to your own WiFi, you need to get a local sim card.
Or invest in a portable hotspot. The one I’ve been using during a lot of my international journey, works in over 130 countries and has 4G LTE mobile WiFi speed. Rent or buy it here.
Never forget to leave your country without travel insurance. This can cover both medical emergencies, sudden accidents as well as loss of theft of belongings, such as during the flight.
Many insurances won’t cover you if you’ve already crossed the border, so it’s even better that WorldNomads, which is trusted by a lot of travel bloggers and digital nomads, offers service at any point during your trip. You can check rates here.
What to Do in Teignmouth UK
The town might be small, but there are a few things to do in Teignmouth Devon if you are planning a short visit. Of course, the location being so ideal, there are plenty of day trips all over South Devon you can plan. I’ve got you covered for both scenarios.
Teignmouth Town Beach
During your holidays in Teignmouth, don’t miss the chance to soak up the sun on one of England’s most stunning beaches. Teignmouth Beach is a long sandy beach, where you can find everything from ice cream and cafes to golf as well as a skate park.
If a quiet, less populated beach is more your thing, head to Holcombe Beach, a slim sandy stretch surrounded by dramatic red cliffs that is mostly frequented by locals.
Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
Just a 15 minute drive outside of Teignmouth is the Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve, a tranquil 500 acre nature reserve with world class bird watching opportunities.
The nature reserve also offers beautiful sand dunes and beaches, and is the perfect place to unwind with a long, quiet walk through nature. You can soak up the sun by the beach or take a dip in the ocean.
Just know that open fires and BBQs aren’t allowed in the park. A little outside, you can find a picnic area and a stretch of shops (as well as a public toilet).
See a Play at the Ice Factory Studio
One of the best things to do in Teignmouth is catching a show. The Ice Factory Studio is an intimate 50 seat theatre, so get your tickets early.
The Teignmouth Players put on beloved shows such as Romeo and Juliet and Aladdin. This is for all ages and theatre lovers especially.
Dartmoor National Park
Take a day trip from Teignmouth to visit this sprawling national park. Dartmoor National Park is home to open moorlands, deep river valleys, forests, ancient ruins, and cute Dartmoor ponies.
Hike along trails that wind through Neolithic tombs, medieval farmhouses and Bronze Age stone circles. The park also boasts countless tors (a free-standing stone outcrop) for the restless visitor looking to get some climbing in. Alternatively, you can rent a bike to explore the vast area.
Teignmouth to Dawlish Railway Walk
Follow the railway towards Dawlish for a picturesque walk along the coast. The walk is short and mostly flat, and the views are nothing short of stunning.
Wave at passing trains along the way, and take deep breaths of fresh ocean air. If you’re lucky, you may even see some black swans.
The coast along the walks are sandy, so you can also stretch out on a warm day and throw down a blanket. Unless you want to dive into the waves, that is. However, they are not necessarily Blue Flag beaches like Dawlish Warren. Nor might there be a coastguard. So be aware of that.
Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum
The museum showcases the region’s past in a modern way. It is a great place to get a sense of the history and culture of the county of Devon and the surrounding area.
Museum entry is very affordable. Tickets for adults are only £2.50, and children under 18 get free access.
Scuba Dive with Teign Diving Centre
England may not be the first place people think of when booking a diving holiday, but don’t let that stop you from slipping on a wetsuit and getting to know England’s underwater world!
The waters around Teignmouth are home to several excellent shipwrecks, making it the perfect place for some under the sea adventuring. Check the tides for the optimal visit time.
Stay in a Cute Cottage
One of the best things to see in Teignmouth is to get the real English experience on your holiday by staying in a quaint cottage in Devon. Sunshine Cottage has amazing sea views, and Minadab Cottage looks like it came straight from a Tolkien novel.
Either one would make the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of exploring. If you want a cottage right on Dartmoor after your city break, I’ve got you covered.
Take a Day Trip to Torquay
Less than a 30 minute drive from Teignmouth, Torquay is a seaside town on the English Channel and part of the English Riviera. Start your day early, as Torquay offers a ton to see and do.
Choose between shopping, visiting prehistoric caves, art galleries, a monastery founded in 1196. Then, you can conclude your visit by wandering around extensive gardens. Torquay has excellent bus connections, so you can easily reach it from Teignmouth.
The Taste of the Teign Food Trail
This self guided tour takes your taste buds on the journey of a lifetime. On this walk you’ll get the chance to visit quite the foodie variety. For one, you have the chance to taste Teignmouth’s renowned mussels and oysters.
Then, there is the steepest vineyard in England, the Red Rock Brewery – which is famous for its craft beers -, Shute Fruit and Produce – where you can taste fresh fruits and learn to make preserves -, and Luscombe Farm Shop – which is brimming with fresh vegetables.
Is Visiting Teignmouth Worth It?
Teignmouth, UK has something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for extensive hiking, relaxing beach time, deep history, a classic English experience, or all the above, Teignmouth has you covered.
More Devon travel inspiration
- Where to find the best bluebell spots in Devon & Somerset
- What to see in Totnes – A Day Trip Guide
- 50 Things to Do in Ashburton
- Why Dartmouth is a great idea for a day out
- Stroll past Old Bridge and through Holne Woods in Dartmoor
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