A Dawlish woman who has just returned from six years living abroad has opened a tea room in memory of her mother.

Annie's Tea Room, located on Brunswick Place, opened last month.

Owner Carley Holmes named the new venture after her mother who used to have a hairdressing salon in the town.

After her mum passed away at the age of 53, Carley moved to Portugal with her family.

Inside Annie's Tea Room, Dawlish (Nub News, Will Goddard)

She stayed for six years in the European country. Her husband had a motorbike and car garage, and she worked as a hairdresser - a trade she had practiced working with her late mum in her Dawlish salon.

She then came back to Dawlish in December 2021. Also a trained chef, mum-of-four Carley described hospitality as something she 'always wanted to do'.

She said: "I've actually gone back to what I wanted to do in the beginning.

"It was a little dream that I had to have a little tea room, but I never actually thought I would.

"Then, when we came back to Dawlish in December, I saw that this shop was shut, and there was a number and I just phoned it."

Inside Annie's Tea Room, Dawlish (Nub News, Will Goddard)

A family affair, Carley's daughter is going to do an apprenticeship in Annie's Tea Room, and her husband, still a mechanic, sometimes lends a hand working the coffee machine.

Her father also works in the new tea room doing the washing-up.

Carley added: "He's actually really sick now, but this is good for him because it's keeping him active." 

Serving traditional café fare such as hot drinks, cream teas, and sandwiches alongside jacket potatoes and soups, Annie's Tea Room is currently open 8.30am to 3.30pm from Tuesday to Saturday.

You can find it at 15 Brunswick Place, Dawlish, and here on Google Maps.