Once again we raise our glasses to our inns and why not visit one of those that remain.

1. Railway Inn

Railway Inn, Beach Street, Dawlish (Google Maps)

First mentioned in 1856, with William Hatcher being the rate payer until 1866, however it is claimed to first date from 1633.

The current building is Grade II listed and dates from the 1840s.

2. Red Lion

Site of former Red Lion, now Red Lion Court, Old Town Street, Dawlish (Google Maps)

Located on Old Town Street, and one of the oldest pubs in Dawlish.

Probably run by Samuel Jewell who was the blacksmith opposite in the 1730s.

After a long run of innkeepers/owners, it succumbed to the changes in peoples' leisure time and stood empty for a number of years.

It was demolished and became Red Lion Court.

3. Royal Hotel

Descended from the Public Rooms and Assembly Rooms which were demolished in 1860.

It is first known as the Royal in 1867.

Closed in 1975, it is now flats.

4. Royal Western Hotel

On Station Road, a boarding house became a public house under Richard Ferris in 1849.

After a number of changes in use, it became Harris' Temperance Hotel but it was never licensed.

Demolished.

5. South Devon Inn

South Devon Inn, Strand Hill, Dawlish (Google Maps)

On Strand Hill, this seems to be a continuation of the Butchers' Arms with the South Devon name appearing in 1858.

However, it is suggested it was built in 1750. 

John Lamacraft was the owner at the time of the name change.

Another Dawlish pub that can still be visited.

Next month, we will conclude our tour of inns and taverns of Dawlish.

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Ed: This article is part of local historian Ray Bickel's series on Dawlish history. Use the links below to read previous articles:

Part One: What were the origins of Dawlish?

Part Two: The origins of St Gregory's Church

Part Three: The history of Dawlish's churches

Part Four: The origins of the Lawn and Tuck's Plot

Part Five: Tuck's Plot, the Lawn and the swans at the turn of the century

Part Six: The origins of Brunel's railway

Part Seven: Blowing up cliffs and Brunel's Atmospheric Railway

Part Eight: The early days of the railway

Part Nine: The 2014 storm and plans for a Dawlish avoiding line

Part 10: Pubs of Dawlish, past and present

Part 11: Pubs of Dawlish, past and present part II

Part 12: Pubs of Dawlish, past and present part III