About Torbay & The English Riviera

Stretching along 22 miles of unspoilt and stunning South Devon coastline and boasting over 2,000 acres of award winning public gardens, Torbay has been a popular holiday destination for centuries. Sandy beaches, rocky coves, picturesque harbours and a wonderfully mild climate combine to attract visitors seeking a unique experience.

The three Riviera towns that make up Torbay - Torquay, Paignton and Brixham - surround the natural, sheltered Bay which, with a south-easterly aspect, forms an ideal suntrap and boasts many Blue Flag beaches.

Torquay in Devon is the largest of the Torbay towns and is often referred to as the 'Queen of the Riviera'. It is here the Riviera ideal really comes to life.

For centuries a popular destination for coastal holidays, Torquay was the birthplace and home of internationally - renowned crime writer Agatha Christie, and is steeped in history, from the awe-inspiring caves of Kents Cavern, to the World War II slipways at Beacon Quay. With so much culture, history, and an amazing nine beaches to choose from, Devon's Torquay really is the perfect place to relax on holiday.

The town is famed for its situation among seven green hills, from where grand Victorian villas and terraces gaze out to sea. Palm-lined promenades lead to the lively harbourside and marina, where pavement cafes and boutique shops abound, in addition to a range of top class restaurants.

Today Torquay has shrugged off the traditional seaside town image, to reinvent itself as a cosmopolitan playground popular with tourists the world-over. With great road, train and air links, the town is an escapist paradise, accessible to all. Why go abroad when the English Riviera is on your doorstep? And by visiting us, you won't be leaving huge carbon imprints, just footprints in the sand...

Famous for its long, sandy beaches, paddler-friendly waters and a colourful, bustling pier, Paignton remains a popular, traditional seaside resort. The lively seafront of Paignton and that of nearby Goodrington, offer a host of attractions from the waterslides of Quaywest to crazy golf on Paignton Green.

The Summerhill Hotel offers easy access to the beach with facilities to suit all tastes.

During the summer months you will find the area hosts many festivals and fairs, in addition to the many yearly exhibitions and events which are held on the green.

Away from the shores, there's no shortage of things to do and visitors are spoilt for choice!

Take the steam train along the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway to Kingswear, visit the endangered species at Paignton Zoo, or indulge in some history at the 500 year old Kirkham House or at Oldway Mansion, once home of Isaac Singer of Singer sewing machine fame.

Generations have been enchanted by the charm and romance of Brixham, a colourful and bustling fishing port at the southern end of Torbay.

The hilly town is built around the central harbour area, which remains the lifeblood of this quaint historic town. Vibrant fishermen's cottages gaze out across the port and the fishing trawlers below. Many of the Brixham hotels are within easy reach of the harbour.

The trawler was invented in Brixham back in the 19th century and today they share the harbour with a replica of SirFrancis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind, a popular tourist attraction and focal point of the town.

Brixham remains one of the UK's busiest fishing ports and every year, over ten thousand tonnes of fresh fish and crustaceans land on the quays.

The nearby statue of William of Orange is another hint to the rich and diverse history the town boasts. The Hymn, "Abide With Me" was written in Brixham, and there are endless tales of smugglers and pirates to be unearthed by the inquisitive.

Within an hours drive of Torbay, you’ll find the historic cities of Exeter and Plymouth, the primeval uplands of Dartmoor National Park, and the famous and beautiful port of Dartmouth