Walk - Dawlish Warren to Starcross
Walk information provided with help from Natural England. Map reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO. © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Ordnance Survey Licence number 100022021.
- Difficulty
- Easy
This is a flat, fully tarmaced, walk.
- Start
- Dawlish Warren Car Park, Beach Road, Dawlish Warren, EX7 0NF
- Finish
- Dawlish Warren Car Park, Beach Road, Dawlish Warren
- Length
- 5.9 miles (9.6 km)
- Summary
The walk is flat, and on a tarmac surface. It begins at the beautiful, internationally protected Nature Reserve and follows the western bank of the Exe Estuary with views across to the bustling town of Exmouth and the pretty little village of Lympstone. On return, there is a short route around the nature reserve and beach.
To download our Access guide, click here where you can find additional mapping and photographs showing gradients, path surfaces and other detailed information such as parking and toilet provision.Checked by SWCPA Volunteer in 2022.
- Public Transport
There is a bus stop at the junction of Dawlish Warren Road and Mount Pleasant Road, next to the Dawlish Warren Car Park. Catch the No. 22 bus to the Torquay and Paignton. Also No. 222 (open top. summer service) to Teignmouth.
A regular train service runs from Exeter St Davids or Teignmouth.
A ferry service, running seven days a week from May to October between Starcross and Exmouth. This service has no accessibility adjustments.
- Nearest car park
Public car park at the start, managed by Teignbridge District Council with ‘normal’ charges, paid for with credit card or cash or Ringo (mobile phone) app.
- Nearest toilets
Accessible toilets in the car park at Dawlish Warren Car Park and adjacent to the railway station at Starcross.
- Nearest refreshments
Refreshments are available at numerous cafes, restaurants, inns and convenience stores at Dawlish Warren, Cockwood and Starcross.
Route Description
- START from Dawlish warren Car Park on Beach Road, turn left pass the mini roundabout and right at the next roundabout heading towards towards Starcross. Continue along the tarmac footpath, taking care along the short section near the small village of Cockwood where there is no pavement.
- With the Anchor Inn on your left, follow the road around the small quay. Turn right at the T-intersection on to Exeter Road.
- At the traffic lights, cross the road and follow the footpath marked ‘Exe Estuary Trail and Coast Path – Starcross ¾’
- On arriving in Starcross, care should be taken on the footpath as bollards reduce the pavement in places to a width of 70 / 80 cm.
- There are public toilets including a toilet for the Disabled accessed via a RADAR key next to Starcross Railway Station. This is the farthest point of the circular walk. At this point, the Exe Estuary trail continues northwards to Exeter. And from there, it is possible to continue the journey to Exmouth on the other side of the estuary.
Note that although this station is linked directly to Dawlish Warren station, accessing the platform for trains to return southwards involves stepped access across the railway track. So, having taken refreshments, you will need to retrace your steps back to the start point.
- From the START point at the entrance to the car park to Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve on Beach Road, proceed under the Railway bridge.
- Once on the other side, turn left into the Car Park, keeping the large Palm tree to your left, then proceed through the Car Park past the Disabled parking spaces. You will reach the access point to the Nature Reserve on your right near the hedge that subdivides the parking area.
- Continue on this track until you reach a choice of two paths. Turn left and head down the path then through a Kissing Gate until you reach the Visitor Centre. Mostly Level 1, with some Level 2 sections.
- From the Visitor Centre, retrace your steps back along the path until you come to a path on your left. Follow the path up the gentle slope to the promenade (sea wall). You can turn left and continue along the sea wall and past the Lifeguard Hut for a short distance, but you will soon need to turn around and follow the path westwards along the sea wall.
- Now, retrace your steps back along the promenade and continue until you reach the Go Cart track. Head right down the path around the Go Cart track and past the Mini Golf. until you reach the sign welcoming you to Funder Park. Turn left and pass under the Railway bridge. Then, left again at the roundabout and cross to the car park where the walk began.
Nearby refreshments
Refreshments are available at numerous cafes, restaurants, inns and convenience stores at Dawlish Warren, Cockwood and Starcross.