Dawlish, distant about three miles from Teignmouth, by rail. Numerous visitors take advantage of the rail to spend a few hours here, and then return to there lodgings, or vice versa ; thus avoiding the inconvenience which arise in shifting lodgings. Several short tunnels are made in this small distance. Close to the station is Melhuish's boarding and lodging-house; higher up the town is Melhuish's 'London' and Anning's 'York' hotels; besides numerous lodging-houses, which are situated upon a terrace walk near to or facing the sea, some upon the western hill, and many in the town itself. It is situated in the parish of its name and the hundred of Exminster; and contained 3545 inhabitants in 1851.
Dawlish, until nearly the latter part of the last century, was a mere fishing cove; but, advanced in reputation and extended in buildings, it has now become one of the most fashionable watering places on the southern coast. The modern buildings are principally concentrated near the middle of the village, along three sides of a quadrangular lawn, having a carriage-way surrounding the enclosures; but the older part is at the upper end of the valley, near the church (dedicated to St. Gregory), which together with the vicarage house, is beautifully situated, and rendered picturesque by luxuriant elms and other adjuncts. ... On the beach, near the south cliff are the public baths --- a very handsome example of the Doric order --- which are supplied with water raised from the sea by a hydraulic machine, and the warm baths are heated by a steam apparatus; the saloons and bath rooms are appropriately fitted up, and, altogether, this establishment maybe regarded as one of the most complete in the west of England. The charges which are extremely moderate, are as follow : --- eight hot baths, one guinea, or 3s. singly; a cold, or cold shower bath, 1s. ; ditto warm, 1s. 6d. Several bathing machines are on the beach; and the sand being firm to the feet, render sea bathing here perfectly safe. At a short distance are the public rooms, which, although on a small scale, are well adapted for pleasurable purposes. ... The walks and drives about Dawlish are extremely pleasant; its nearly centrical situation between the Exe and the Teign rivers, and its contiguity to the grounds of Luscombe and Mamhead, giving it the command, within a distance of a few miles on each side, of a most extensive range of picturesque and romantic scenery. The adjacent cliffs, which are chiefly of a dark red sandstone, are broken into abrupt and rude forms; and in some parts, considerable masses (occasionally perforated) stand detached from the main rocks.

Cornelius's guide. Dawlish : historical and topographical Dawlish : W.M. Cornelius, [1869?] p. 68

Hints for bathing The good effect of sea bathing depends upon its being duly proportioned to the capabilities of the person. It will be known when it is beneficial by the agreeable reactionary feeling of warmth and vigour experienced shortly after leaving the water. This feeling shows that it is exerting a strengthening influence upon the system. On the contrary, when sensations of headache, heaviness about the chest, accompanied by general excitement, or when continued chilliness, nervous symptoms, shivering and a feeling of weakness is experienced, it is an indication that the bathing does not agree with the constitution.
Bathing should not be indulged in immediately after a journey when the body is fatigued. In the case of illness the patient may require even to wait for a few days on arriving at the sea side before bathing, seeing that the sea air itself exerts a powerful alterative (sic) effect upon nervous and debilitated organizations, and in some cases invalids will find it requisite to prepare themselves for bathing by gentle aperient medicines.
Persons should never bathe either when overheated, or when chilled. 'It is a rule of the highest importance never bathe with a full Stomach, three hours at least must elapse after dinner, and two hours after a good breakfast, before bathing can be indulged in with safety.' Persons who are subject to cramp, loss of breath, congestion, or hysterical affections, should of course, exercise great precaution.
Some water should always be thrown over the head when first entering the water, so as to equalize the temperature of the body and avoid propelling the blood too swiftly to the head.
It is not advisable to remain in the water until chilliness takes place. Immediately after dressing, a brisk walk should always be taken at once, which will produce an agreeable sensation of warmth an renewed circulation of the blood.
The Medical Times furnishes the following cautionary suggestions respecting bathing :-- Invalids should be prevented bathing before breakfast. But due time must be allowed for the digestion of the meal, as any strong impression on the mind or body is liable to arrest or destroy digestion; therefore, two hours should elapse after breakfast, and three after dinner, before the bath be taken. At this time also the water is warmer. It is preferable to take the bath after breakfast than later in the day. Even strong persons unaccustomed to bathing, are liable to be much depressed by a bath taken before breakfast. Children should never bathe before ten or eleven. The patient must be directed to plunge at once into the water, and not stand shivering for some time until the surface of the body is cooled. He should dip down and allow each wave to pass completely over him. It is the temperature of the sea to which we must have regard when giving directions to patients at what time of the year they may bathe with advantage. If the patient is not much debilitated the months of May and September are good, and they should choose a shore on which the billows are rough. If on the other hand, the patient be weak and depressed the summer months are preferable, and calm sea should be chosen.

To see the full image with text, see SC0590.
Dawlish, view of the town and shore.

To see the full image with text, see SC0572.
West view of Dawlish.

To see the full image with text, see SC0559.
South Cliff, Dawlish.

To see the full image with text, see SC0627.
The Baths on the beach, Dawlish.

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Gentlemen's bathing cove..

To see the full image with text, see SC0626.
Bathing machine.

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Teignmouth is by no means a pretty town, so far as the streets are concerned, for they are neither well planned, nor broad, nor handsome; the great attraction of the place is the Den, a broad walk and drive close to the sea, surrounding a large piece of land laid down in grass, and running in a part of its circuit before the public rooms and some of the best houses in town. Here the sea breeze may be enjoyed in its greatest purity, and the sandy beach which lies close to the Den, forms a most pleasant walk at low water, and is admirably adapted for bathing. The inhabitants are very proud of this Den, and well may they value it highly, for without it the fame of Teignmouth as a watering-place would be destroyed without remedy.

The Teignmouth guide, containing a description of the town ... Teignmouth : Edward Croydon, 1857. p. 1, 9-10

Teignmouth lies near the centre of one of the deep indentations which divide the great western bay into a number of smaller ones, on the eastern shore of the estuary of the river Teign. Many of the principal buildings, together with one of its churches, are near the sea-shore, while another range stands on the bank of the river, which still forms a commodious harbour for vessels of considerable burden. In looking at Teignmouth from the sea, or from the sands that border it, a series of verdant hills, of modest elevation, richly clothed with wood, is seen rising behind it, and on these many handsome villas are built, beautifully situated and commanding prospects of unrivalled richness and variety. The dark foliage of the rising grounds which terminate in the range of the Haldon Hills, is a wild moorland district which we shall afterwards speak of more particularly, contrast admirably with the edifices facing the Den. ...
The continuation of the sand-bank, called the Den, between the sea and the town, was once part of the town. Leland says, 'At the west side of the town is a piece of sandy ground called the Dene, whereon hath been not many years since divers houses and wine-cellars.' The Den is now laid out as a public promenade; near the western end of it a small lighthouse has been erected.
Teignmouth is not wholly dependent on its shipping. It is one of the largest and most frequented watering-places on the coast; the streets have more the appearance of belonging to a trading town than to a town of pleasure. It has the usual public buildings, baths and hotels; facing the sea are good houses and terraces. The Royal Library, with news, and reading rooms, is situated in Regent Place and kept by Mr Croyden; they were first opened to the public in 1815, and possess every accommodation for the visitors; this library is one of the most extensive and well-selected in the West of England. The Assembly Rooms, which stand in the centre of the Crescent fronting the Den, is unrivalled in the elegance of its exterior, the beauty and convenience of its arrangements and the attractions of various kinds which it includes, by any building of the same nature in the kingdom, it was erected in 1826 by shares, and comprehends a magnificent ball-room, tea and card-rooms, billiard and reading-rooms, and all other apartments usual in such an edifice.

To see the full image with text, see SC2849.
Teignmouth, The Den.

To see the full image with text, see SC2865.
The bathing place, Teignmouth.

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East Teignmouth.

To see the full image with text, see SC2852.

About six miles from hence is a most delightful watering-place, situated in a cove of Torbay, about two miles from the extreme point of the promontory called Hope's Nose.
Within these few years Torquay has become the most fashionable watering-place in the West of England; it owes this celebrity principally to the mildness of the air, and is peculiarly qualified for the winter residence of invalids, especially the consumptive; it is entirely sheltered from every wind but the south-east; and from the violence of the waves by a ridge of rocks.
The views around are delightfully romantic and beautiful; in fact, for romantic beauty and picturesque scenery it cannot be surpassed. The buildings are generally good, many of them exceedingly handsome; and the accommodations equal, and in some instances superior, to those of any other bathing-place on the coast. The regularity and neatness of the buildings contribute greatly to the beauty of the place; the park, and the carriage way to the same, with a plantation on its left, are no small embellishments to this delightful spot.
The pier, which was built some years since, in the northernmost cove of Torbay, affords complete protection to the shipping from the southern winds. ...
At a distance of a mile and a half is Poole's Hole, a very curious cavern. Babbicombe Bay, which furnishes such exquisite specimens of fine marble, is two miles from Torquay, and well worth visiting for its picturesque beauty. There are a number of houses erected on the sides of the bay, for the accommodation of visitors.

To see the full image with text, see SC3326.
Scotch Church and Public Gardens.

To see the full image with text, see SC3145.

Thursday last being the day appointed for the commencement of an annual Regatta, was anxiously looked forward to by the inhabitants and the numerous strangers who had been attracted by the occasion. The gloomy state of the weather for several days previous, gave no promise of pleasing anticipations being verified; but fortunately the day commenced under very favourable auspices, and every thing combined to give brilliancy and effect to the interesting scene, --- At half past ten o' clock, the first class vessels having taken their station off Mill Bay, at eleven o' clock on a signal gun being fired, the first contest began between the Giulia yawl, C.R.M Talbot, Esq. Sylph cutter, Richd. W. Newman, Esq. and Eliza yawl, J. V. Challen, Esq. They started with a fine fresh breeze from the S. W. and the greatest interest was excited both ashore and afloat. The course assigned was to the eastward, round a boat near the Cobbler buoy, to the western end of the Breakwater --- from thence round a boat at the eastern end to Penlee-Point, and thence to a boat stationed near the Mew Stone; from thence to return to the western end, proceed to the eastern, and then to the starting point off Mill Bay; the whole course to be passed over twice. The Sylph took the lead, and managed in the most masterly stile, passing round the station boats with the utmost nicety, so that not the least space was lost, and her square-sails were set and taken in with cleverness and expedition. She kept her advantage all the way, and finally won the silver vase, beating the second boat by a quarter of an hour. The Giulia came in second, the Eliza last.

Trewman's Exeter Flying Post or Plymouth and Cornish advertiser. Exeter : Trewman and Co, Thursday, August 12 1824. Vol LXIII - No. 3095 p. 1a

Plymouth Regatta.--- Never did Plymouth Sound and the Offing present, in a time of peace, a scene so truly interesting. Almost every description of vessel, from the rowing-boat to the majestic 74-gun ship, was before the eye at once. A Dutch man-of-war, presenting a fine 'wall-sided' battery of guns, lay near the spot lately occupied by the Ocean, and her crew courteously returned the cheering of the passengers on board the Sir Francis Drake and Cambria steam-vessels, which were plying in all parts of the Sound during the day. The Royal Sovereign yacht (the vessel which lately brought hither the Duke of Clarence) contributed considerably to the splendour of the scene; and her gorgeous embellishments, added to the circumstance of her being splendidly dressed in colours delighted the eyes of thousands. Admiralty and Commissioner's yachts, several men-of war brigs, cutters, an immense number of gentlemen's pleasure-vessels, boats, &c. were seen, either at anchor or gliding over the vast surface of the Sound, and wherever the eye glanced, the beauty and grandeur of the spectacle arrested its attention.

To see the full image with text, see SC2270.
The Regatta starting.

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Sailing boats.

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Bowerman's Nose, as it is popularly called, rises from the brow of the headland which projects from Heytor, and the hilly track, between the dale of Widdecombe and those of Manaton and North Bovey. It is seen to greatest advantage, when approached from the north by the road we are now traversing: and is found, on examination, to consist of five layers of granite blocks, piled by the hand of nature, --- some of them severed into two distinct masses; the topmost stone (where I presume the nasal resemblance is traced) being a single block. Polwhele seems to have been mistaken in calculating the height at fifty feet: it is rather less than forty above the clatter from which it rises. Conspicuous from its position, and remarkable for its form, it is easy to conceive that this fantastic production of nature, might have been pointed out to an ignorant and deluded people as the object of worship; nor is it unworthy of remark that, viewed from below, it strongly resembles the rude colossal idols, found by our navigators when thy visited Easter Island, in the Southern Pacific; and when seen from the south, on higher ground, it presents the appearance of a Hindoo idol, in a sitting posture.
It is only on the spot that we can duly appreciate Carrington's graphic and faithful description,
'On the very edge
Of the vast moorland, startling every eye
A shape enormous rises ! High it towers
Above the hill's' bold brow, and seen from far,
Assumes the human form; a granite god, ---
To whom in days long flown, the suppliant knee
In trembling homage bow'd. The hamlets near,
Have legends rude connected with the spot,
(Wild swept by every wind,) on which he stands
The Giant of the moor.'

Heytor rises from the brow of the hill with sombres grandeur, in two distinct piles; and when viewed from the neighbourhood of Kingsteignton, and other adjacent lowlands, under the influence of a sullen and cloudy sky presents a singularly accurate resemblance to a ruined castle, the massive keep of which is represented by the eastern pile. On the top is a rock-basin, two feet and a half in diameter, but much less perfect than Mistor Pan and many others.

Foremost amongst these is Croken Tor, which we shall reach by proceeding from Two Bridges along the Moreton turnpike-road, from which town it is distant about eleven miles. This tor has long been celebrated as one of the objects, of far greater interest in reality, which have been passed without notice by those who have commemorated the antient (sic) Parliament Rock.

Wistman's Wood is the third of Risdon's 'three remarkable things' in the Forest of Dartmoor. By him it is described as consisting of 'some acres of wood and trees that are a fathom about and yet no taller than a man may touch the top with his hand.' The general description of this wonder of Dartmoor, is sufficient accordance with its present condition to warrant the conclusion that the lapse of more than two centuries has not materially changed its aspect, and that probably for a much longer period it has presented the same singular appearance as now.

A description of the county of Devonshire. Exeter : W. Spreat, [1842?] p. 151

Lydford Gorge
About two miles south of the bridge is the first cascade, but as the approach to it is rather intricate, a guide is necessary, as the path to the lower ground is not easily found by strangers. From the foot of the lofty hill you are conducted to its summit, where there is a magnificent view of the country, but the river is not discernable. (sic) Descending the hill by a winding path you behold the Lyd, harassed by many obstructions in its way, leaping from precipice at least 140 feet high, and falling into a deep bason (sic) formed by the violence of the waters: hence in a winding direction, it pursues its course to the Tamar, which it joins a little below Lifton, about nine miles from the falls.

To see the full image with text, see SC1700 .

Heytor.

To see the full image with text, see SC1354.

Crockern Tor.

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Wistman's Wood, Dartmoor.

To see the full image with text, see SC1479 .
Lydford Cascade.

To see the full image with text, see SC1456 .