New Quay

New Quay in Teignmouth (Teignbridge district, Devon, England) is a working-heritage quay dating from 1820, built to get Dartmoor granite onto ships bound for London. Today it is a quiet stretch of waterfront by the Teign estuary and a Grade II listed structure.

What is New Quay in Teignmouth?

It is a stone quay off New Quay Street, close to where the River Teign meets the English Channel. Historic England includes it on the National Heritage List for England at Grade II, the category for buildings and structures of special interest. Do not confuse it with other places of the same name: New Quay in Ceredigion is a Welsh seaside resort, and a different, abandoned mining hamlet called New Quay sits on the River Tamar in west Devon.

Why was it built?

The quay went up in 1820 for George Templer of Stover, a landowner with deep ties to the Teign valley. Its builders used Haytor granite from Dartmoor and limestone from the Plymouth area. Stone came down to the estuary and left by sea for London, where granite was wanted for the new London Bridge. A mid-19th-century county directory backs up the wider picture: Teignmouth exported Haytor granite and ball clay from around Kingsteignton, and a large quay had been built in 1820 to handle such heavy cargo. The listing describes a structure roughly 40 metres wide, projecting about 50 metres into the water.

What can you see there?

• The solid stone quay itself, a reminder of the scale of the bulk-cargo trade.
• The New Quay Inn and its attached rear warehouse, also Grade II listed and of about the same date.
• Views across the Teign estuary, with boats and harbour activity.

This is part of the town rather than a ticketed attraction, so you see it from outside on a waterfront stroll. The historic buildings have no visitor interiors; the inn simply operates as a pub.

How do you get there?

Teignmouth has a station on the Devon coast railway line, in the town centre a short walk from the quay. By car, approach from Exeter via Dawlish or from Newton Abbot. Parking in town is paid and the rules change, so check the signs on arrival. The coordinates are about 50.544 N, 3.499 W.

When should you visit?

The quay can be viewed all year. Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable time, with long days for walking around the harbour and nearby beach. In winter it is windier, but the town stays open and pubs and cafes keep trading.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee?

No. It is a public area of the town waterfront. Only parking and local services cost money.

Is this the same as New Quay in Wales?

No. The Welsh New Quay is in Ceredigion on Cardigan Bay. This quay is in Teignmouth, Devon.

What was the quay used for?

Loading Haytor granite onto ships. Dartmoor stone travelled by sea to London, where it was used on the bridge works.

Can I go inside the pub and warehouse?

The New Quay Inn is an ordinary pub and keeps its own opening hours. The warehouse behind it is part of the listed group and is best appreciated from outside.