Dawlish Black Swans: Where & When to See Them

Dawlish in South Devon is famous for its black swans, beautiful waterfowl that have become an unofficial symbol of the town. In fact, these elegant birds with their red beaks and ebony plumage have been part of the Dawlish community for over a century​.

If you’re planning a trip to see Dawlish’s famous black swans, this guide will tell you all about their history, where to find them, the best times to visit, and other tips to make the most of your day out – including nearby attractions, feeding advice, parking, and where to stay if its an overnight trip to the area.

History of Dawlish’s Black Swans

The presence of black swans in Dawlish dates back to the early 20th century. In 1906, a Dawlish-born man named John Nash (who had emigrated to New Zealand) brought back a pair of black swans to his hometown as a unique gift​.

Black swans are native to Australia, so introducing them half a world away in Devon certainly made Dawlish stand out​. The town embraced these exotic birds – they even became part of the town’s emblem in the decades that followed​.

The original pair of swans thrived for some time, but unfortunately died out around the period between World War I and World War II​.
Dawlish was without black swans for a few years, but not for long. In the late 1940s, Captain C.R.S. Pitman, a former game warden in Uganda, presented another pair of black swans to the town as a gift, in memory of his parents​ and in an effort to revive the heritage that had been lost when the original swans passed away.
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This new pair (sourced from a zoo in Australia) re-established the black swan dynasty in Dawlish. Since then, the black swans have lived happily on Dawlish Water (the town brook), and they remain a point of local pride, identity and affection.

Today, you’ll see black swan motifs all over Dawlish – from logos and signs to a live “swan cam” streaming their every activity online​.

Where to See the Black Swans

The best place to spot Dawlish’s black swans is right in the town centre, along the charming stream known as The Brook (or Dawlish Water)​. This small river flows through the heart of Dawlish – along a green public park called The Lawn – before reaching the sea.

Simply stroll along The Lawn and keep an eye out for the majestic black swans gliding through the water or resting on the banks. You usually won’t have to search for long; the black swans are resident here year-round, and the Brook is their domain. In fact, at the right time of year you’re likely to see not only the adult swans but also their fluffy cute baby cygnets paddling behind them​.

A particularly good spot is Tuck’s Plot, a section of the Brook near a small ornamental island in the water. The swans often nest on this little island, making it a focal point for sightings​.

The Lawn’s footbridges offer great viewpoints too – have your camera ready, as the swans often swim right under you.

Best Times to Visit

You can enjoy the black swans in Dawlish at any time of year, but certain times offer special experiences. The swans are usually out and about throughout the day. However, late morning and afternoon tend to be active periods – the town’s wardens typically feed the waterfowl around 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM, which often draws the swans out into the open.

Timing your visit around these feeding times can guarantee a swan sighting (and some great photo ops as they gather for their meal). Early mornings can be lovely too, with fewer people around – you might catch the swans serenely cruising the misty Brook in peace.
Spring (around March to May) is an exciting season: this is when the swans nest and raise their young. If you visit in spring, you could spot a swan sitting on a nest of eggs or see adorable cygnets once they hatch​.

Do note that during the nesting period, the immediate area of Tuck’s Plot is sometimes roped off or temporarily closed to protect the new swan families​. Even if that small section is closed, you can still see the swans from a short distance away without disturbing them. By summer, the cygnets will be out swimming with their parents on the Brook – a delightful sight for any animal lover.

In autumn and winter, the swans remain in town and are easy to spot (black swans don’t migrate). The Lawn gardens are decorated with winter flowers and the scenery can be quite picturesque with swans swimming against a backdrop of autumn leaves or even a light dusting of frost. Just keep in mind that Dawlish’s weather can be brisk on winter days, so bundle up if you’re swan-spotting in the off-season.

Overall, there’s truly no bad time to see Dawlish’s black swans – they are a year-round attraction – but for the most action and scenery, late spring and summer are hard to beat.

Can Visitors Feed the Swans?

It’s natural to want to feed these friendly birds, but please think twice before offering them bread.

The Dawlish community takes the health of the black swans (and other waterfowl) very seriously. Bread is not recommended for swans as it fills their stomachs without providing sufficient nutrients, and uneaten bread can pollute the water.

If you’re determined to feed them, you can give them green vegetables, lettuce leaves, sweetcorn or oats. Alternatively you can buy a bag of proper swan and duck food pellets from local shops in Dawlish​ – these are formulated to be nutritious for the birds. A handful of approved bird food will be much more appreciated by the swans (and better for them) than a loaf of bread!

Also keep in mind that the Dawlish swans are well cared for by the town’s waterfowl wardens. They are usually fed every day as needed, especially in winter when natural food is scarcer. So the swans won’t go hungry if you don’t feed them.

If you do decide to feed them, PLEASE do so sparingly and responsibly. Always toss food on the ground or water (never feed from your hand, as swans can nip), and avoid causing a feeding frenzy that might stress the birds.

Stay at Cofton Holidays?

After a fun day watching Dawlish’s black swans and exploring the town, it’s great to have a comfortable home base to return to – and that’s exactly what Cofton Holidays offers. Cofton Holidays is a 5-star holiday park nestled in the countryside just outside Dawlish, making it the perfect base for a Dawlish getaway. It’s located only a few miles from Dawlish town centre (in the Starcross/Dawlish Warren area), so you can be watching the swans within a 6-minute drive. Yet, Cofton’s idyllic 80-acre park feels peaceful and secluded, giving you the best of both worlds: easy access to both Dawlish and Dawlish Warren attractions as well as a relaxing retreat in its own right.

Staying at Cofton Holidays means you’ll have top-notch facilities and activities at your fingertips. The park boasts indoor and outdoor heated pools, a steaming hot tub and sauna, and even a spa for a bit of pampering​. Kids (and kids-at-heart) will love the splash pad, adventure playgrounds, arcade games, and a woodland high-ropes course for burning off energy​. There are also scenic nature walks and even fishing lakes on the property for those who enjoy course fishing or a peaceful stroll through the woods.

Choose from a range of accommodation options including luxury hot tub lodges, spacious modern holiday homes, cosy cottages and award winning 5-star touring pitches.