Indoor Attractions

Devon’s beautiful English Riviera with its popular resort towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham has quite a renowned micro`climate and a very sheltered Bay, great for all types of outdoor fun.  If the weather should be unsettled or chilly though, then the English Riviera offers probably the biggest and most exciting collection of indoor attractions and activities you’ll find. 

Torquay and Babbacombe Indoor Attractions

Kents Cavern is one of Europe’s top prehistoric Stone Age caves with an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns open daily all year. Bygones is an authentic life-size Victorian street with 3 fascinating floors of pure nostalgia as well as a cosy themed cafe. 

Waves Leisure Pool at the Riviera Centre in Torquay is a wonderfully warm fun pool with wave machine, flume and water activity centre with fully qualified lifeguards. You can also swim at Torbay Leisure Centre in Paignton and Admiral Swimming Pool, Brixham. Cockington Court is a vibrant, working craft centre set within the beautiful 18th century manor house of Cockington Court with delightful tearooms.

Torquay Museum has some really fascinating exhibits plus a permanent Agatha Christie Gallery. Another must-visit is 800-year-old Torre Abbey on the seafront in Torquay with its galleries, tropical glasshouses and a full year-round events programme.

AMF Bowling has a brilliant Ten Pin Bowling Centre with 21 lanes, amusements and food and drink on offer. 

Paignton Indoor Attractions

Paignton Pier is a magnificent structure where you’ll find a huge range of indoor fun and games whilst enjoying the breathtaking sea views.

Visit world-renowned Paignton Zoo with its acres of gardens, huge numbers of exotic species and extensive indoor options including covered boardwalks, reptile tropics, desert glasshouse, undercover bird show, indoor play areas and spacious restaurant.

The Steam Train - A ‘must-do’ is the delightful steam train that runs from Paignton to Kingswear along the stunning English Riviera coastline.  You can also cross to Dartmouth on the ferry and jump aboard a covered riverboat up the Dart to visit Agatha Christie’s magnificent riverside residence at Greenway (now National Trust).

Brixham Indoor Attractions

Agatha Christie’s Greenway – tour the fascinating holiday home of the Queen of Crime at Greenway near Brixham (now National Trust).  Coleton Fishacre, the stunning arts and crafts home of the D’Oyly Carte family has a stunning Art Deco interior and will waft you back to the Jazz Age. It’s now National Trust.

Brixham Heritage Museum provides an intriguing place to visit with a rich collection of exhibits relating to Brixham's fishing industry including many maritime models and other local archaeological finds relating to the Napoleonic fort at Berry Head. The whole family will love the reconstructed Victorian parlour, nursery and model of the railway station.  Brixham Battery Heritage Centre is a fascinating wartime museum where you are positively encouraged to touch the exhibits and where historic fighter planes hang ‘dog-fight-like’ from the ceilings.

Brixham Fish Market Tours

You’ll need to book and get up early for the renowned 6am fish market tours where you see the auction in action and then enjoy a delicious fish breakfast at Rockfish.

Visit the Theatre

Torquay has a vibrant theatre scene with a huge choice of glamorous shows, concerts, plays, musicals, ballets and comedies offering you top West End performances and the best of local am-dram.  There are three theatres in Torquay including the Princess Theatre, which attracts the very best of the national touring shows plus The Little Theatre, homes of TOADS Theatre Company and historic Babbacombe Theatre with its wonderful musical variety shows and top visiting acts. Paignton’s Palace Theatre and Brixham Theatre also have some great shows and visiting acts.