The Marine

On Marine Parade right on Dawlish seafront, The Marine combines a ground-floor pub with a first-floor restaurant and a sea-view balcony, plus rooms upstairs for anyone wanting to stay over. The main Exeter-to-Plymouth railway line runs along the coast directly below, which makes the balcony a genuine draw for railway enthusiasts watching trains and the occasional steam special pass right along the sea wall.

The pub itself has a sun-trap patio at the front, real ales and ciders kept properly, and a limited but solid food offer built around pizzas alongside takeaway service. There's a children's area away from the bar, dogs are welcome throughout, and it hosts occasional live music. Four rooms give it an edge over most seafront pubs in the area, since guests can watch the sea and the trains from bed rather than just from the balcony over a pint.