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South Devon, Dartmouth, and The English Riviera

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4.0 stars(56 reviews)
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The English Riviera at its best

5 days From £595 per person

2023 Tour code: TQB23

About the tour

Experience the charming English Riviera with nostalgic journeys aboard heritage railways, a traditional steamboat cruise and a scenic drive along the Dawlish Coast. Our hotel offers the perfect base, with beautiful views across South Devon's sandy beaches.

Highlights

What’s included

Itinerary

Day 1 - Dawlish Warren

We arrive in the pretty resort of Dawlish Warren and meet our Tour Manager at our hotel. Located on the south coast of Devon overlooking the Exe Estuary, there are beautiful views across the golden beaches and ocean beyond, found just a short stroll away.

Includes
  • Dinner
Day 2 - Greenway and the English Riviera by steam boat and train

We discover the English Riviera's seaside atmosphere, beginning with a steam boat cruise between Totnes and Dartmouth. After free time to explore elegant riverside Dartmouth, we cross the Dart Estuary by ferry, making the journey to Kingswear. From here, we continue on the Dartmouth Steam Railway, which takes us along the scenic Devon coastline and the tranquil River Dart to Paignton. We take a coach back to the hotel.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Dawlish Warren

Today is free. You could spend time relaxing at the hotel, which is set within 19 acres of woodlands and surrounded by lawns and gardens. Nearby, the famous nature reserve at Dawlish Warren offers up an unspoiled area of natural beauty, with grassland and sand dunes that are home to hundreds of flowering plants and an array of birds. If you'd like to explore further, one option is to take a scenic rail trip along the coast to Torquay, often referred to as the 'English Riviera'. You could stroll along the seafront, following the 'Agatha Christie Mile' for more insights into the famous novelist. You could also visit historic Torre Abbey, now a museum and art gallery.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 4 - The Dawlish Coast

This morning we transfer to Buckfastleigh where we join the South Devon Railway for a steam-hauled journey along the valley of the River Dart. Built in 1872, this heritage line runs to Totnes on an award-winning route that showcases the fine scenery and stations of Southern England. The trains used here are beautiful old steam engines which follow a seven-mile route past babbling rivers and charming woodland. This afternoon we visit the quintessential Devon village of Cockington where we enjoy a traditional Devon afternoon tea.

Includes
  • Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Home

After breakfast, you are free to depart in your own time.

Includes
  • Breakfast

Additional information

Please note

Please note that whilst every departure of Torquay & the Eden Project will feature the same excursions, the order of the itinerary may differ from that given above.

Departure times

Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.

Mobility information

Due to the nature of our tours they are generally unsuitable for those with restricted mobility. If you’d like to discuss any particular holiday with us in this respect, then please don’t hesitate to call us.

Hotel

Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren

Langstone Cliff Hotel, Dawlish Warren

View hotel

Trains

The Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway
South Devon Railway

Enhance your holiday

Upgrades

UK rail connections

Reviews

4.0 stars4.0 / 5 · 56 reviews

  1. 5 stars
    (23)
  2. 4 stars
    (21)
  3. 3 stars
    (5)
  4. 2 stars
    (2)
  5. 1 star
    (5)

Ian Peel

4 stars

Submitted 20 Oct 2022

A very enjoyable holiday, with excellent accommodation and a very pleasant and capable tour manager. However, having a "free day" in a holiday planning only 3 days seems a little unnecessary; perhaps the various activities could be spread over the three days rather more evenly.

Collected by Trustpilot

Viv

4 stars

Submitted 19 Oct 2022

Great holiday in a beautiful part of the country. I met some lovely people and the tour manager was brilliant.

Collected by Trustpilot

Michael Jackson

4 stars

Submitted 15 Oct 2022

Overall very good but too many visits on first day. Better half a free day only with one of first days activities moved to the other half day. Would recommend this holiday. Very good hotel and food.

Collected by Trustpilot

Mr J L Ackroyd

5 stars

Submitted 28 Sep 2022

Very well organised tour, plenty of variety and pleasant company

Collected by Trustpilot

Jayne

5 stars

Submitted 28 Sep 2022

Had a fabulous time in Dawlish Warren. Deborah Moss our Guide was excellent. She looked after us and kept us well informed what was happening and when. Our well being and enjoyment was her priority the whole time. She joined everyone at some point for a meal which was lovely to get to know one another. The Langstone cliff hotel was superb, clean spacious and staff were helpful and knowledgeable. The food was amazing. We certainly didn’t go hungry. We enjoyed it so much we are looking at wales for September 2023.

Collected by Trustpilot

A Sissons

5 stars

Submitted 26 Sep 2022

We really enjoyed the trip, especially the rail journeys. Our tour manager was brilliant too

Collected by Trustpilot

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UK by Rail 2023

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South Devon, Dartmouth, and The English Riviera

The English Riviera at its best

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