Just 5 or 6 miles north of the mouth of the Teign is the small resort of Dawlish. Despite its long history dating back to Saxon times, it is essentially Victorian in most of its architecture and general ambience. Its stamp of individuality is created by two features: the rivulet, Dawlish Water (sometimes called The Brook), which runs through the central park area and effectively bisects the town; and the railway line which separates the town from the beach.
The rivulet has become a sanctuary for a range of water fowl, but is particularly noted for its black swans which were introduced from Western Australia.
The railway line is part of the Riviera Line, linking Exeter with Paignton and the English Riviera. The route's proximity to the sea has earned it a reputation as one of the most picturesque rail journeys in the UK. The line is also one of the most costly to maintain because of the constant threat from sea erosion. In 1974 a substantial part of Dawlish station was washed away during a severe storm. The construction of the line was begun by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1830.
In the first photo holiday makers are walking along the path on top of the sea wall. The metal fence beside the path screens the rail track. Beyond the railway can be seen buildings of the Victorian period.
Filed under Nature, photography, Sea, Shore, Texture, Uncategorized, Water
Tagged as black swans, Dawlish, Dawlish Water, English Riviera, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, picturesque rail journeys, Riviera Line, sea erosion, South Devon, Victorian resorts