Long weekend in Dorset/Devon - where?

[RaspberryChocolate]

Hi all, we’re looking for somewhere new to go in Dorset or Devon for a long weekend. I’d like to stay in a town but have access to a beach (for example we loved Lyme Regis when we visited), pretty flexible other than that!

Can you recommend some areas?

TIA

Teignmouth, Dawlish, Paignton, Torquay, Brixham. All lovely beach towns

Salcombe

Weymouth

Bridport/West Bay. Some glorious scenery and beaches.

New forest.
Lymington.

I would avoid all of those!! Really run down.

Salcombe

What are you wanting to do? Walks, relaxing, fossil hunting, swimming?

(Lyme regis was going to be my suggestion!)

It might not be super pretty but you could do a lot worse than Exmouth. Sandy beach and short drive / cycle / train to Exeter.

We went to Brixham last year for a few days it was lovely. I wouldn't say run down at all.
We popped to Paignton for the day, but I wasn't impressed.

Of the towns round Torbay, I'd say Brixham is the best of the bunch. Maybe Christchurch?

Swanage

Wow. Thanks so much. I’ll look at everything suggested 👍

You could try north Devon. On the estuary coast, Appledore is full of maritime history, and Instow across the water has a great sandy beach walk. For more sand and water activities, head on out to Saunton Sands, with dunes, rockpools, bodyboarding and beach huts, plus a restaurant with great coastal views.. On the same road, Braunton has shops, restaurants and a lovely chippy, while Fremington Quay has a well-regarded cafe and the Tarka Trail for walking and cycling.

swanage is nice with loads to do in the area and a steam train to get you around. Also not as far as Devon