Exeter Road, Dawlish, Devon EX7 0PA
Dawlish Countryside Park
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
6.2
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.2A patchwork of open countryside, wildflower grassland, scrub and woodland, with ridge-top paths that open up views towards the coast.
This is more than a convenient green space: its mix of habitats supports birds and arable plants, while the Ridge Path, Island Viewpoint and The Lookout give a gentle walk a real sense of place. It’s a rewarding, accessible-feeling countryside escape close to Dawlish, though path conditions and step-free suitability should be checked before setting out.
Peaceful · Big-sky · Family-buzz
Find your way
Open mapExeter Road, Dawlish, Devon EX7 0PA
Opening map…
The experience
Choose a short wander past the bird-feeding station to the Coffee Curve seat, or follow the Red Route around the park for wider views from the Ridge Path, Island Viewpoint and The Lookout. The park’s mown areas and paths cross a changing mix of grassland, scrub and woodland.
Things to do
Follow the Red Route
Use the park map to follow the route around the park, taking in the Ridge Path, Island Viewpoint and The Lookout.
Take a shorter Yellow Route
Walk past the Bird Feeding Station to the Coffee Curve seat, where the park source notes sea views.
Look and listen for skylarks
Skylarks are described as a common sight in the park. Scan the open ground and listen for their song.
Explore the habitat mosaic
Notice the changes between wildflower grassland, scrub and woodland as you move through the park.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow around 1–2 hours; exact time depends on route and pace.
Quick escape: the viewpoint stroll
- 01
Start from a park access point and follow a Yellow Route past the Bird Feeding Station.
- 02
Pause at the Coffee Curve seat for the sea view.
- 03
Return by the same route or another marked park path, checking the map on arrival.
Half day · Half day; route duration is not specified in the supplied sources.
Make a half day of it: follow the Red Route
- 01
Use the park map to follow the Red Route around the park.
- 02
Take in the panoramic views from the Ridge Path, Island Viewpoint and The Lookout.
- 03
Watch and listen for skylarks, and look across the park’s grassland, scrub and woodland habitats.
- 04
Check current local information for a suitable nearby place to eat; no specific café or pub pairing is verified here.
Hidden details
A conservation effort in the fields — The park source says seed from the endangered arable plant Small-flowered Catchfly has been sown at the site and its progress monitored. Look for signs of conservation-managed areas, but the sources do not identify their precise location.
Cirl Bunting habitat — The park source says spring barley fields are managed for the endangered Cirl Bunting. The supplied information does not give a viewing location or guarantee sightings.
When to go
April · May · June · July · Early morning is a sensible choice for a quieter walk and wildlife watching; no specific time is confirmed by the sources.
Late spring and summer suit the park’s wildflower grassland and birdlife. The park source also notes skylarks and seasonal management of spring barley fields for Cirl Bunting.
The supplied route description says some park paths are earth or grass and their condition depends on the weather. Wear suitable footwear after rain and check current conditions.
The route
- surface
- Mostly pavements and paths; some park paths are earth or grass and weather-dependent. A sloping section in the park can be bypassed.
- distance
- 3.3 miles (5.3 km) for the South West Coast Path walk described; it is a wider circuit beginning and ending at Dawlish Warren Car Park, not a park-only circuit.
- difficulty
- Easy; mostly flat on pavements and paths.
- route shape
- Circular, starting and ending at Dawlish Warren Car Park; passes through the countryside park.
- start point
- Dawlish Warren Car Park, Beach Road, Dawlish Warren, EX7 0NF, for the supplied 3.3-mile circular walk.
- parking start
- Dawlish Warren Car Park, Beach Road, Dawlish Warren, EX7 0NF, as stated by the route source. Dawlish Countryside Park also has a free car park off the A379 Exeter Road, according to the park source.
- shorter alternative
- Within the park, use a Yellow Route past the Bird Feeding Station to the Coffee Curve seat; the supplied source does not state its distance.
- Dawlish Countryside Park
- The Ridge Path, Island Viewpoint and The Lookout on the park’s Red Route
- Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve at the route’s starting area
Worth pairing with
Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
A possible coastal and wildlife pairing: the supplied South West Coast Path route starts at Dawlish Warren Car Park and includes Dawlish Countryside Park. Check the route and reserve details before combining them.
What to look for
Watch and listen for skylarks over open ground. Notice the shifts between wildflower grassland, scrub and woodland, and look for the park’s community orchards and viewpoint openings.
Best time to go
Late spring to summer for wildflowers and active birdlife; the park can be visited year-round.
Late spring and summer bring wildflowers and active birdlife. For quieter paths, consider an early visit; check local conditions after wet weather, when earth and grass paths may be muddy.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Families · Photographers · Dogs
Practical information
Opening & access
A 65-acre countryside park with access points from Exeter Road, Orchard Lane and Shutterton Lane. The park has mown areas and paths; check current access information before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Free car park off the A379 Exeter Road, around 700 metres north of Sainsbury’s; confirm availability before travelling.
Toilets
Check before visiting; the source row says temporary toilets may be available during peak seasons and events, but this is not confirmed by the supplied park source.
Check before visiting
Food & drink
No café is identified in the park source. Bring refreshments or check nearby options before visiting.
Check before visiting
Dogs
The source row describes the park as dog-friendly and mentions a fenced dog-training area. Check current signage and rules before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
A supplied walk description rates a 3.3-mile route easy and mostly flat, but notes earth or grass paths, weather-dependent conditions and a sloping section that can be bypassed. Check the access guide for detailed gradients and surfaces; wheelchair suitability is not confirmed.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Dawlish Countryside Park
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances