Welcome to Torquay
Torquay, The English Riviera
Welcome to The English Riviera where a warm welcome awaits! It’s no wonder this resort was voted the top trending holiday destination in 2021! With its iconic palm trees, busy harbour, international marina, sandy award winning beaches and wonderful array of continental style cafes, restaurants and cocktail bars, the scene is set for the perfect Devon seaside holiday or short break.
It’s fabulous location means you are close by to the local fishing port of Brixham, the market town of Totnes, the coastal villages of the South Hams, the rugged wilderness and beauty of Dartmoor, the historic cities of Exeter and Plymouth and much much more.
Torquay offers the perfect destination. If you enjoy nature Torquay a designated UNESCO site. Torquay is full of history with perhaps it’s most famous resident being Agatha Christie. There is so much we could write about it, but why not come and see for yourself!
Torquay Attractions
We highly recommend the following most popular attractions and numerous activities in Torbay.
Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway
Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway runs from Paignton to Dartmouth, running over seven miles it is a beautiful ride along the coast. The scenery in superb which climaxes in the most breath-taking views of Dartmouth and it’s famous Britannia Royal Naval College, where the Queens first met Prince Phillip, is a wonderful spectacle.
Greenway House
Greenway House is an estate on the River Dart, near Galmpton. It is famous for being the home of the crime author Agatha Christie, she once called Greenway ‘the loveliest place in the world’. Explore the house, gardens and woodland.
Bygonnes
Wander back in time starting Queens Victoria’s reign, with a life size Victorian street with over 20 life size Victorian shops! Then continue your travels onto the World Wars including a World War I trench, before finishing off your tour in the swinging 1950’s & 1960’s!
Paignton Zoo
Paignton Zoo is the third largest zoo in the country. Home to thousands of amazing animals and plants including lions, tigers, giraffes, gorillas and much much more. You can visit the desert, cross the savannah, explore the forest and trek through the tropics. A must if visiting with children.
Kent’s Cavern
Kent’s Cavern is one of the most important Palaeolithic caves in Northern Europe and the oldest recognisable human dwelling in Britain. It holds beautiful and spectacular geological formations and significant prehistoric finds, some over 700,000 years old.
Cockington
Only a mile from Torquay seafront, the Domesday Book village of Cockington has hardly changed through the centuries. Come and explore this special village, its historic manor house and the 460 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland around. It is completely free to enter and you can lose yourself here for a whole day!
Riviera Centre
Torquay’s premier indoor leisure centre. The waves leisure pool features a giant flume and a wave machine to add an extra splash of fun! There is also the Lifestyle fitness suite and the Aqua Lounge with a soft play area and restaurant.
Woodlands Leisure Park
Woodlands is the largest theme park in Devon and a fun filled family day out for everyone. With one of the largest and best indoor play areas in the South West, amazing water rides, a zoo farm and much more, there’s fun to be had rain or shine.
Splashdown
Get Wet and Go Wild at Splashdown water park! With twisting tyre rides and slippery waterslides, do you dare to go down the Devil’s Drop! It is the place to visit on a hot day!
Oldway Mansion
Oldway Mansion is a well known local landmark. A beautiful building with lovely grounds, it is well worth a visit. There are 60 free car parking spaces and 2 Coach parking spaces.
Torre Abbey
History comes alive at Torbay’s most historic building. Built in 1196 you can trace the 800 years of development from monastery, imposing home of wealthy families, to Mayor’s official residence of modern day.
Goodrington Park
Goodrington Park is a natural habitat for swans, geese and wild birds. This is ideal picnic area and safe for families. Young’s Park, Goodrington Beach and Splashdown offers family fun with bumper boats, swan pedalo’s, crazy golf, quad bikes, lovely cafes/pub and beautiful walks, not to mention the long sandy beach.
Babbacombe Model Village
Feel like a giant as you step through the small entrance and let the vast miniature world open up before you. Explore four acres of award winning gardens showcasing hundreds of model scenes, vehicles & people.
Vue Cinema
A Multiplex cinema complex showing all the new releases located on Paignton beach front!
Princess Theatre
Located on the promenade is Torquay’s main theatre, the Princess Theatre. It runs a full and varied programme of theatrical shows and musical numbers as well as the yearly pantomime – oh no it doesn’t, oh yes it does!
There’s Loads More Fun to be Had!
Boat Trips
There is a wide variety of boat trips around the Bay, which are bookable from various firms by the harbourside and piers. Most beaches also hire small boats and pedaloes.
Sailing and Yachting
These are unequalled in Torbay, and the regattas in August are a superb spectacle. The Royal Torbay Yacht Club is at Beacon Terrace, where you can learn to sail.
Fishing
Sea Fishing is permitted from Haldon Pier, Princess Pier or the many rocks that surround the bay. Fishing trips are readily available from one of the many vendors on the Pier’s. Mackerel, bass, pollack, bream, conger and whiting are all caught in the bay.
Paddle Boarding and Kayaking
Paddle boarding and kayaking is a must if you come to the coast. These can be hired on Torre Abbey beach from Wesup https://torquay.wesuphq.com/
Golf
There are two crazy golf courses in the Bay, Pirate Golf in Paignton and Jungle Golf in Torquay.
There is also two beautifully situated 18 hole course’s. Torquay Golf Club https://www.torquaygolfclub.co.uk/ and Churston Golf Club https://www.churstongolf.com/. Visitors requiring temporary membership should apply to the Secretary.
Swimming & Beaches
Along the 22 miles of the English Riviera coastline there are 20 beaches from wide sandy stretches to hidden rocky coves.
Sports Galore
There’s racing, riding, pitch and putt, bowling, squash, tennis, paragliding, water-skiing, windsurfing and more all available to experience and enjoy, right on your doorstep.
Walking
With over 22 miles of walks along the South West Coastal Path. Dartmoor is also close by.
Follow this link to see what events are going on in Torbay in 2022! https://www.englishriviera.co.uk/whats-on
Explore Further Afield
Torquay’s excellent location is unprecedented. We recommend using Torquay as a base and go and explore outside the area.
Wander around the harbours of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. You could even catch the ferry over from Torquay to Brixham (seasonal). All three towns have some unique shops and an abundance of cafes and restaurants.
Slightly further afield, is the national park of Dartmoor. Dartmoor has it all, you can ramble across the wilds of the park, go letterboxing or rock climbing, see the famous Dartmoor Ponies, visit places of interest such as Widdecombe in the Moor, Haytor or even Dartmoor Prison! It’s great granite Tors and heather covered moorland, deep wooded gorges, beautiful reservoirs and tumbling rocky rivers, Dartmoor National Park covers an area of 368 square miles, the largest, and wildest, area of open country in southern England.
Totnes and Dartington Hall are less than 30 minutes away. Totnes is an Elizabethan river town with an ancient castle. The beauty of Dartington Hall with it’s glorious gardens and world famous arts and music activities makes this an essential place to visit.
The South Hams is an area of exceptional beauty and contrast with river estuaries, rolling hills and thatched cottages surrounding the lovely old towns of Dartmouth, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury and Ivybridge. The South Hams has some of the most beautiful, safe, clean and best managed beaches you’ll find anywhere.
Exeter is the regions capital and it’s not hard to see why. This university city offers everything from a thriving high street, to a stunning waterfront area along the river, to cultural diversity we definatly recommend the underground passages of Exeter! Exeter shines with colourful character and offers a delightful mix of high quality attractions, restaurants and shops, in a setting of architectural splendour.
Plymouth is Britain’s Coastal City! Stepped in history this is the city where old meets new. The historic area of the Barbican and Hoe has some of the most important history in our heritage. Sir Francis Drake and his Spanish Armada set off on it’s historic voyage from here. The city centre itself offers an abundance of shops, restaurants, nightclubs an indoor entertainment venues.
Eating Out
There are many culinary delights to be found in Torquay. The world renowned fishing port of Brixham is close by, so locally fresh caught seafood is a speciality at most restaurants.
Below is just a handful of amazing restaurants that we personally enjoy, we do recommend that you
pre-book your favourite restaurant to avoid disappointment.
The Elephant
Torquay first Michelin star restaurant for over 15 years! This seaside eatery uses locally sourced produce.
Tel: 01803 200044
The Orange Tree
Featured in Michelin and Good food guides. Great treat for a special meal out.
Tel: 01803 213936
Amici
Great family run Italian with a wide variety of dishes from pasta to pizza to salads.
Tel: 01803 201770
On the Rocks
Locally sourced food, limited dishes but well worth a visit. Seafood is a speciality.
Tel: 01803 203666
Rockfish
Great fish and chips at Mitch Tonks café overlooking the harbour. Also a takeaway.
Tel: 01803 212175
Pier Point
Next to the Princess Theatre overlooking sea; indoor and outdoor seating; fabulous views and good food.
Prezzo
Bistrot Pierre
French cuisine with a balcony and fabulous views of the Bay.
Tel: 01803 221213
Visto Lounge
Modern yet relaxing eatery, great views of the Bay with a fabulous Tapa’s and Breakfast menu.
Tel: 01803 211009
Las Iguanas
Angels Tea Rooms
The best tea room is Devon! This is a must you won’t be disappointed! Outside terrace with sea views.
Tel: 01803 324477
Riverford Field Kitchen
Buckfastleigh (30 minute drive away). An organic dining experience. Need to book in advance. There’s also a farm tour great for kids with tractor rides and pick your own fruit and veg.
Tel 01803 762074
Coppa Dolla
Broadhempston (30 minute drive away). Home of the 2 in 1 pie! A family run business with 30 year old family recipes, in a traditional country setting this is the perfect place.
Tel: 01803 812455
Ullacombe Farm
A lovely café with an onsite farm shop and butchery located in Bovey Tracey. There is an outside play area and it is always decorated during the main holiday. More than that the food is outstanding we recommend trying the wide variety of brownies!
Tel: 01364 661341
Torquay Takeaway Delivery Service
Chinese
Indian
Pizza & Grill
Thai
Burgers
Fish & Chips
