Things to Do Near Dawlish; Dawlish Warren – Duck Painting in Exmouth

Staying in Dawlish or Dawlish Warren and looking for things to do during your Devon holiday?

Dawlish and Dawlish Warren have plenty to enjoy themselves, but they’re also a brilliant base for exploring other parts of Devon. Exmouth makes a lovely day trip, whether you’re looking for an indoor activity on a rainy day, planning a family day out, spending time as a couple or simply fancy doing something a bit different.

And if you’ve been searching for wooden duck painting near Dawlish, there is a particularly good reason to make the trip. 🦆

🦆 Looking for Wooden Duck Painting Near Dawlish?

Arty Boat in Exmouth is home of the Signature Wooden Duck Painting Experience™.

Choose your own wooden duck, settle into our relaxed Exmouth studio and create a design that’s completely yours. No artistic experience is needed, and friendly guidance is available throughout your session.

Some ducks leave us beautifully coordinated. Others are bright, patterned, characterful or completely bonkers – which is exactly what makes them so much fun.

Most importantly for anyone visiting Devon on holiday, your finished creation goes home with you the very same day.

You can also read more about our Signature Wooden Duck Painting Experience in Exmouth .

🎨 More Than Wooden Ducks

Wooden ducks might be what we’re best known for, but there’s plenty more to choose from at Arty Boat.

Alongside our signature ducks, you’ll find a changing selection of pottery and wooden items to paint, so you can choose something you genuinely love when you arrive.

Your painting session lasts for up to three hours, giving you plenty of time to relax, paint, chat and switch off rather than feeling rushed.

Your reservation includes a drink and biscuits plus use of the paints, brushes and other painting materials you’ll need during your session. Simply choose and purchase the item you’d like to paint when you arrive.

🚆 Make a Day Trip from Dawlish or Dawlish Warren to Exmouth

One of the nice things about staying around Dawlish is that you don’t have to spend your whole holiday in one place.

Dawlish, Dawlish Warren and Exmouth are connected by the local rail network, making Exmouth an easy place to include during a South Devon break.

Once you arrive at Exmouth railway station, Arty Boat at 46 Exeter Road is just a short walk away.

That means you can come across for your painting session without making Arty Boat the only thing you do that day.

Once you’ve finished painting, explore Exmouth town centre, wander towards the marina, grab some lunch or head down to the town’s long sandy beach before making your way back.

For more ideas while you’re here, have a look at our local guide to things to do in Exmouth .

⛴️ Make the Journey Part of the Adventure

On selected dates there is an even more memorable way to combine Dawlish and Exmouth.

Stuart Line Cruises operates its seasonal Dawlish Round Robin, combining a boat journey between Dawlish Beach and Exmouth Marina with rail travel for the other part of the journey.

It can turn a visit to Exmouth into a proper day out, with the journey itself becoming part of the experience.

Sailing dates and times vary, so always check the current Dawlish Round Robin information with Stuart Line Cruises before making plans.

🌊 A Different Day Out During Your Dawlish Holiday

Dawlish and Dawlish Warren have plenty to enjoy in their own right – from the famous black swans and Dawlish Lawn to the beach, coastal scenery and nature around Dawlish Warren.

But one of the lovely things about staying in this part of Devon is being able to explore further afield too.

So if you’ve already enjoyed the beach, explored Dawlish and spent time around Dawlish Warren, why not spend a few hours doing something completely different?

Come across to Exmouth, create something completely your own and take home a rather unusual souvenir of your Devon holiday.

⭐ Visit Award-Winning Arty Boat in Exmouth

Arty Boat was named Art Studio of the Year 2026 in the Southwest Awards and has featured on BBC Radio Devon and Great Western Railway’s Great Escapes podcast.

We’ve also welcomed Amanda Holden, who visited our Exmouth studio and painted one of our wooden ducks herself.

Whether you’re creative or convinced you can’t paint, the idea is simple: relax for a few hours, have fun and create something completely unique.

Staying in Dawlish or Dawlish Warren?
Come across to Exmouth and paint something you’ll actually want to take home. 🎨🦆

This guide was updated in August 2026. Transport services, sailing schedules and individual attraction information can change, so please check directly with operators before making a special journey.