A warm welcome awaits you on the English Riviera - with one of Britain's best climate records, any time is holiday time! Short, mild winters give way to early springs and long hot summers, allowing the area's famous palms and sub tropical plants to flourish. Few places in the world can genuinley offer such a wide range of ways to spend your time.
How will you fill your English Riviera hoilday? Relaxing days on the beach, an afternoon browsing designer shops or visiting fascinating museums? If you have the energy, there is a vast selection of sporting activities to choose from. Both on and off the water - hundreds of places to visit within easy reach and a diary packed with events and festivals.
For those looking to spread their wings, there are historic towns, picture postcard villages and heritage rich cities to be discovered nearby.
After dark the resort comes alive with theatres, restaurants, café bars and clubs.
Torquay, the heart of the English Riviera, is a stylish resort with a continental atmosphere, combining all the facilities of a modern resort with the elegance of time gone by. With mild climate, sophisticated environment and beautiful varied scenery centred on spectacular Tor Bay, no wonder its popularity has never waned.
Set on seven hills, Torquay's elegant Victorian terraces and white villas provide the backdrop to sandy beaches, pavement cafeés and a busy shopping mall. Torquay's waterfront is the focal point of the town. Here you will find a lively harbour, palm lined promenade and international marina. Within minutes of the town centre there are beautiful beaches easily accessible by foot, car or bus.
Harbour and international marina
Torquay's harbour is the focus of activity with restaurants, cafeés and bars providing a continental flavour. A packed programme of festivals and events takes place on and off the water during the spring and summer months.
Torquay's harbour is the focus of activity with restaurants, cafeés and bars providing a continental flavour. A packed programme of festivals and events takes place on and off the water during the spring and summer months.
Shopping:
A thriving town centre with all the high street shops and department store you would expect plus fascinating small shops.
A thriving town centre with all the high street shops and department store you would expect plus fascinating small shops.
Attractions:
Visit Torre Abbey, Torquay Museum, Cockington Court, Kents Cavern, Bygones Victorian Street in St Marychurch and the model village in Babbacombe.
Visit Torre Abbey, Torquay Museum, Cockington Court, Kents Cavern, Bygones Victorian Street in St Marychurch and the model village in Babbacombe.
Beaches:
Eight award-winning beaches stretch out along the palm-lined coast, only minutes from the resort centre: Maidencombe Beach, Watcombe Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Toree Abbey Sands and Corbyn Sands.
Eight award-winning beaches stretch out along the palm-lined coast, only minutes from the resort centre: Maidencombe Beach, Watcombe Beach, Meadfoot Beach, Toree Abbey Sands and Corbyn Sands.
History:
- Famous crime writer Agatha Christie was born in Torquay on 15 September 1890, gaining much inspiration for her books from the town and its surroundings.
- Torre Abbey is Torquay's oldest building and dates back to 1196 when it was founded as a monastery.
- Torquay's development as a seaside resort began at the end of the 18th century when the south coast of Devon began to be exploited for the new fashion of sea bathing.