Torquay & the English Riviera
In 1983, the resorts of Torquay, Brixham and Paignton were relaunched as the English Riviera, an exotic, yet still very English alternative to going abroad. Palm trees, yachts and waterskiers give Torquay an almost Mediterranean feel in summer.
The large number of English language students and foreign tourists adds an exotic chatter to the town.
Sporting a mini-corniche and promenades landscaped with flowerbeds, Torquay comes closest to living up to the self-styled “English Riviera”. The palm trees and lights that decorate the harbour by night contribute to the town’s unique identity, a blend of the mildly continental with classic English provincialism.
Torquay’s transformation from a fishing village began with its establishment as a fashionable haven for invalids, among them the consumptive Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who spent three years here. In more recent years the most famous figure associated with Torquay – crimewriter Agatha Christie – has been joined by the fictional TV hotelier Basil Fawlty.
The centre of town is the lively marina and harbour, including the listed copper-domed Edwardian Pavilion, which now houses a small shopping centre.
Torquay Marina
There is an abundance of pavement cafes, pubs, restaurants and nightlife, good shopping and a host of family attractions. Yet within minutes of the town centre there are beautiful beaches easily accessible by foot, road or water.
As for dining and entertainment, you’ll find nothing better. This is an area renowned for the variety of its pubs and eateries, serving good food and drink – including a Michelin star restaurant.
In addition, there are shows, music and performances to choose from along this golden stretch of Britain’s coast which all combine to leave the visitor with the warm memory of a great holiday experience.
The heart of the town is the harbour which is lined with cafes, bars and restaurants; a great place to watch the world go by. From here, take a pleasant stroll along the marina with the area’s trademark palm trees, or hop on a boat for a cruise across the bay or round to Dartmouth.
Torquay is host to many more attractions, including Babbacombe Model Village, Kents Cavern, Torquay HiFlyer. Or take a trip back through time to Cockington village where thatched roofs prevail and watch a blacksmith working in the 14th century forge.
Those looking for a beach will not be disappointed either. Torquay is the ‘sandcastle capital of the UK’ offering the ideal mix of sand and water, according to research conducted by Bournemouth University. Torquay’s main beach, Abbey Sands, takes its name from Torre Abbey which is sited in ornamental gardens behind the beachside road. The Norman church that once stood here was razed by Henry VIII, though a gatehouse, tithe barn, chapter house and tower escaped demolition.
Just up the road from the marina, Torquay Museum has some interesting material on Agatha Christie, who was born and raised in Torquay, as well as local history and natural history collections.
At the northern end of the harbour, Living Coasts is home to a variety of creatures found on British shores, including puffins, penguins and seals. You can see the animals in their re-created habitats, and feed them at various intervals throughout the day. The rooftop café and restaurant have splendid panoramic views.
Beyond here, the coast path leads round a promontory to some good sand beaches: Meadfoot Beach, one of the busiest, is reached by crossing Daddyhole Plain, an open green space named after a large chasm in the adjacent cliff caused by a landslide, but locally attributed to the devil (“Daddy”).
North of the Hope’s Nose promontory, the coast path leads to a string of less crowded beaches, including Babbacombe Beach and, beyond, Watcombe and Maidencombe.
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