The story behind Coast Cams.
A love of the sea, a lifelong connection to the railway, and a wish to share Dawlish with the world. This is how our window to the coast began.
The History of Coast Cams
In 2003, after retiring, my parents made a monumental decision. They left the Midlands for a new life by the sea. They sought a quieter life, and both wanted to be by the sea, but my dad was a railwayman, so Dawlish was the perfect place.
My dad’s life had always revolved around the railways. One of my earliest memories is going to work with him to a signal box, possibly in Basingstoke, and watching as he pulled the signal levers, guiding trains along their rails.
In 2001, Dad found a new calling as a tour manager for Great Rail Journeys, and it was easy to see why he loved it so much. For him, it wasn’t just about the worldwide destinations but the journey itself. He thrived on the camaraderie of small group tours, sharing his insider knowledge and ensuring every traveller felt cared for from the moment they boarded the train. Yet, as the leaves turned golden in the autumn of 2009, a shadow loomed. My Uncle Russell told me that this Christmas would likely be his last. The news hit me hard, compelling me to leave Nuneaton and move to Dawlish to support my Mum in caring for him.
Dawlish Signal Box
One of my dad’s goals was to buy the derelict signal box at Dawlish railway station so he could sit there, enjoy a pint, and watch the trains go by. This would have been his ultimate retirement goal, but fate dealt a cruel hand, and in 2008, illness forced him to abandon the job he loved and his Dawlish signal box goal.
During those difficult days, I sought solace along the Dawlish sea wall. The raw power of the waves crashing against it mirrored the rawness in my heart. Each thunderous thud sent shivers down my spine, a reminder of nature’s awe-inspiring might. I spent months doing this daily routine of visiting the sea and longed to capture this profound experience, believing others would equally enjoy its might.
In April 2010, my Dad passed away, leaving an irreplaceable void. My daily visits to the sea wall continued, now a poignant ritual of remembrance and reflection. The idea of sharing this experience with the world became a quiet obsession, and I started to research how to do this. Back then, live-streaming technology was still in its infancy, but it had sparked an idea.
Dawlish is unique in having Mother Nature so close to Brunel’s engineering marvel, and I knew if I could get this to people in their homes, it might be popular.
The Camera, The Storm
A few years later, work commitments led me to Exeter, tearing me away from my beloved sea wall walks, but in 2013, destiny intervened when Celeste’s family moved into a house on the seafront. They agreed to let me place a camera in their garden, and I embarked on a meticulous quest to find the perfect camera. I eagerly awaited the broadband activation set for February 3rd, however, delays pushed the installation back just as the Great Storm of 2014 hit. Though I missed capturing the storm’s fury due to the delay, I still had a camera, which I may not have had looking at the destruction of the sea wall.
On March 4, 2014, our camera went live. Over 500 viewers joined us as we turned on the camera for the first time, sharing the beauty of South Devon. It felt like a tribute to my Dad, whose ashes were scattered just 50 meters from where San Remo Cam stood years before the camera's existence.
Coast Cams, originally Dawlish Beach Cams, seemed destined to be a testament to the enduring bond between my Dad, the sea, and the railway.
Going Live
Now, we have around half a million monthly viewers who make Coast Cams a part of their daily routine, whether they're eating breakfast with the sunrise in Dawlish, lunch in Dartmouth, or watching the sunset in Teignmouth. It’s the next best thing to being there in person.
My dad never got to sit in his beloved signal box, but I believe every camera along that stretch of railway line is the same as a signal box that people can use from the comfort of their homes, just a little more cosy.
Founder of Coast Cams – Your window to the coast.