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Teignmouth Tourist Information Teign Valley Beaches Devon UK
Teignmouth is Devon seaside holiday territory most definitely, and a great South East Devon base for families. This is Devon's Estuary coastal stretch, and Teignmouth is situated right at the mouth of the Teign estuary. There's a lovely old Victorian pier here, and a selection of Regency style houses. It was a popular Victorian seaside town, and an important fishing port and export location as well. Close to Dartmoor it was the ideal port from which to export Dartmoor granite.
Like many Devon towns in this area, it was the coming of the railways that initiated the holiday boom, and in Teignmouth's case the coming of the Brunel railway from Exeter. Poet John Keats was rather taken with Teignmouth. Today it's prime Devon seaside holiday hotspot, with lots to do including a museum, lots of boat trips and ferry rides, the glorious Marine Parade, and for walkers, strolls upto the Ness, the popular sandstone headland right at the river mouth where superb sea views await.
Teignmouth & Shaldon Museum
The Teignmouth & Shaldon Museum is excellent for learning more about the maritime history of this area, and there's some great exhibitions on shipwrecks! There's a mystery story here as well, reflecting on the strange journey of Donald Crowhurst in his yacht the Teignmouth Electron. He left Teignmouth in October 1968 on his single handed race around the world, but along the way mysteriously sent in two logs, and stopped off at South America. His yacht was finally found abandoned in the Mid-Atlantic in July 1969, with no sign of Crowhurst onboard. The story is explored at the museum!
This Teignmouth museum is great for local and social history. Teignmouth was once famous for shipbuilding, particularly at the Morgan Giles shipyard in Teignmouth. Learn more about this shipbuilding company here. Also of great interest are the exhibits and information on nearby Haldon Airfield, Teignmouth. It was an important aerodrome on the early aviation scene, training many pilots during the 1930s, both men and women. There's an exhibition on bathing machines as well, rather popular in Victorian seaside resort Teignmouth in the days of segregated bathing. Read Fanny Burney's first experience of bathing at Teignmouth in 1773, taken from her journel. After her initial 'shock' she seems to have rather liked it, reflecting ""it is the finest feeling in the world"".
Teignmouth and Shaldon Museum and Historical Society, 29 French Street, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 8ST. Tel: (01626) 777041. Opening times are, Easter Saturday and Easter Monday, and then from May 1st to mid-October - Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Sundays 2 to 4.30 p.m. School holidays only. The museum is closed during the Winter months!
Teignmouth Tourist Information Centre, The Den, Seafront, Teignmouth, TQ14 8BE. Tel: (01626) 215666.
Teignmouth Attractions
Shaldon Wildlife Trust Reserve located in the coastal village of Shaldon is well worth a look, and home to a wide variety of mammels, birds, reptiles and amphibians and a focus on conservation. Many of the animals here are endangered, and this Wildlife Trust is also a breeding centre for rare and endangered species, making it rather special. Well worth a visit, and support. Check out their superbly informative weblink to the right.
Shaldon Wildlife Trust, Ness Drive, Shaldon, Devon. TQ14 0HP. Tel: 01626 872234.
Teignmouth Beaches
Teignmouth has an excellent selection of family friendly beaches with great amenities and all the usual seaside fayre! Check out Teignmouth Town Beach which is a long and sandy beach stretching all the way from the mouth of the River Teign east towards Dawlish. You'll find the historic Victorian Teignmouth Pier on this beach, from which many a Devon holidaymaker through the years has taken a pleasure boat trip along the coast.
For a more laid back, quieter beach, popular for fishing check out River Back Beach, Teignmouth which is situated on the estuary side of Teignmouth.
Shaldon Beach near the Shaldon Wildlife reserve is a delightful mix of shingle and sand. It's a gently shelving beach, particularly popular with families and locals..
