Overview

Small, 11 roomed, traditional, sea front guest house in Dawlish, Devon. Close to the railway station. Some rooms have sea views and a few have balconies. The Blenheim offers bed and breakfast or self catering accommodation, as each studio is equipped with kitchen facilities. There are two ground floor rooms accessible from street level by 4 steps, with grab rails, which will be suitable for some people with mobility disabilities.

Transport & Parking

The Blenheim is a level 2 - 3 minute walk from Dawlish Railway Station. There is step free access to platform 2, with trains heading towards Exeter/ London. Platform 1 with trains towards Paignton/ Torquay is accessible via a railway bridge with stairs only. However through Special Assistance they can arrange and accompany you to cross the railway line. I found the special assistance excellent at Dawlish Station. From the train station you can see The Blenheim, an imposing pink, Victorian house. and its an easy level walk to the accommodation. Their website says "There is metered parking along marine parade which is free from 6pm – 9am. Blue Badge holders can park there free of charge 24hrs a day. Other parking include the Dawlish train station car park less than a 3 minute walk and free residential parking 5 minute walk away."

Access

From street level there are 2 steps with a gab rail to the front door. On opening the front door there are a further 2 steps with a grab rail. On the ground floor there are 2 bedrooms, 1 with a sea view (which is the room I stayed in and will comment about), the breakfast room, which also has lovely sea views and the office. There is a staircase with a good, solid banister on the right hand side going up. I went up the stairs to the first floor, to check out the stairs, as I wanted to book for 2019 and for the week I wanted the ground floor sea view room was already booked up and I wanted to see if I could manage a 1st floor room. I walk with a crutch and I found for me that the stairs were manageable, they are not particularly steep and the curve slightly towards the top. I was told that they would carry my case up and down to my room for me. There is a 2nd floor but I didn't check out the stairs to that. Breakfast is served in a ground floor room, which was next to my bedroom. There are free standing tables and chairs. I stayed in Sea Walk, a ground floor, sea view room. the room was very spacious. There was a very comfortable double bed, bedside tables, wardrobe with shelving, chest of draws and TV. There were two comfortable armchairs by the window. The sea view also overlooks the train line and for me this was one of the reasons I booked it. On this part of the Devonshire coast the train line hugs the waterfront, and I found it so enjoyable and relaxing to sit and watch the trains go by. In my room there was also a small kitchen with small cooker, microwave, sink, work space, basic kitchen equipment, crockery and cutlery. There was also a small table with 2 chairs. The ensuite shower room, was small but functional. There was a shower cubicle with a single grab rail and a good non slip service, I didn't need to use the non slip bath mat provided. There was a small, quite low sink and a toilet with grab rail.

Toilets

I had a toilet with a single grab rail on the right hand side in my en suite. The toilet there is slightly low but is was comfortable and manageable to use due to the grab rail.

Staff

This is a small, friendly, family run guest house. I was welcomed when I arrived and they carried my suitcase to my room. Staff were round every morning to cook and serve breakfast. They chatted and answered questions about what to do in the local area. I felt they were very approachable and friendly. On the final day I was able to leave my case and collect it when I was ready to go home.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I loved my stay here, so much I've booked up for next year before I left. My room was wonderful, there was good quality furniture and bedding/ towels. There were sea themed touches with a painting and on the cushions. The rooms are serviced every day and everything was very clean tidy and very well maintained. Breakfasts were a real treat. There was a good selection of good quality food. There was self service for cereal, fruit, yogurt and toasters to make your own toast. Hot drinks and hot food was waiter service. I loved the American pancakes and the veggie breakfast. Breakfast times on weekdays were 8am to 9.30am, so it was nice to have a leisurely start to the day. However, I'm sure they would assist if you required an earlier breakfast. I highly recommend. The town centre of Dawlish is on your doorstep with cafes, restaurants, safari themed mini golf, sea walks and Dawlish Water with its famous Black Swans, which runs through the centre of the town and is illuminated at night. Dawlish is a low key resort with good access to Exeter, Torquay, etc.

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