In Places, Nature

Devon has plenty of beautiful places to go at daybreak, whether you like to be by the coast or atop a rugged tor. Or if dawn is too early and not your thing (we totally understand!) we’ve also many locations that are great for sunsets, you can find our recommendations for those here. But if you do enjoy waking up early and getting out to witness the start of a new day, take a look at our best places to watch a sunrise below. Just remember to be careful reaching some of these places as it'll still be dark and some may be difficult to get to, so take a torch and plan your route before you go.

Babbacombe

Set on the English Riviera, also known as Torbay, Babbacombe is a gorgeous location and popular for it’s beautiful ocean views. There are a few different places in the area to enjoy a sunrise such as Babbacombe Beach, Oddicombe Beach or Babbacombe Downs, all of which will afford a pleasant setting to view the sun rising above the sea. Discover more about Babbacombe here.

Ladram Bay

Ladram Bay is located mid way between Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth on the East Devon coast. The bay is probably best known for it’s fantastic award winning holiday park there, Ladram Bay Holiday Park as well as the impressive red sea stacks that protrude from the waters. It is this geological feature and the magical red cliffs which make it a stunning place to watch a sunrise in South Devon.

Start Point

Lying on the staggering South Hams coastline, Start Point is the most southerly point in Devon and juts almost a mile out to sea. A lovely walk can be had from the car park nearby to the lighthouse that perches on the end of the headland and of course it is also a sublime peaceful place to watch the sun come up as well as being a very popular location for local photographers.

Great Staple Tor

Great Staple Tor can be found on the western side of Dartmoor National Park close to Merrivale and around a 10 minute drive from Tavistock followed by a short walk. This rugged tor with granite rocks and mesmerising views means it just had to make our list of the best places to watch a sunrise in South Devon.

Dawlish Warren

Found on the Teignbridge coast alongside Dawlish, Dawlish Warren is a popular holiday resort with plenty to see and do including a vast sandy beach and the thriving Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve. Find a quiet spot to welcome the new day, the sand dunes look particularly magical at first light. Explore Dawlish Warren here.

Danger Point

Close to the East Devon town of Budleigh Salterton, Danger Point is a cliff face and coastal feature. It can be reached by walking the South West Coast Path from Budleigh Salterton and offers beautiful views of the Jurassic Coast which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s also of course a great spot to watch the sun rise.

Grand Western Canal Country Park

The Grand Western Canal Country Park and Local Nature Reserves covers just over 11 miles of glorious Mid Devon countryside in Tiverton. The unique attraction offers horse drawn barge rides as well as lots of beautiful walks. It’s for this reason that we’re sure you’ll find a tranquil spot for a sunrise. Explore more about the Grand Western Canal here.

Paignton Pier

Paignton is located on the English Riviera and is known as a family holiday destination due to its beaches, attractions and plethora of things to do. One such attraction is Paignton Pier, a traditional seaside amusement pier with games aplenty. It is also a lovely focal point for watching the sun come up.

Haytor

Next up on our list of the best places to watch a sunrise in South Devon is another spot on Dartmoor National Park and to be honest you probably wouldn’t be disappointed watching a sunrise anywhere on the moors! Haytor, also known as Haytor Rocks and Hay Tor, may be one of the most well known tors on Dartmoor and rests on the eastern edge of the National Park just a short drive from Bovey Tracey. Climb to the top and soak in the far reaching views as dawn breaks.

Budleigh Salterton

Another place on the Jurassic Coast in East Devon to watch a sunrise is Budleigh Salterton. Budleigh Salterton Beach is a great place to enjoy the sun come up but probably our favourite spot is at one end where the River Otter reaches the sea as it’s very serene. Discover more about Budleigh Salterton by clicking here.

For your regular dose of stunning South Devon be sure to head over to Instagram and follow us here. Please also feel free to tag us in your images of the region using @visitsouthdevon, #visitsouthdevon or #southdevon, we might even feature them on our feed!

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