Contact Details
holiday@torbay.gov.uk
Tel: 01803 211 211
Gardens and Parks
For centuries the English Riviera has been famed for its glorious landscape, mild climate and its fascinating horticultural heritage.
The English Riviera boasts everything from the magnificent gardens of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham to the swathes of summer bedding on its seafront and carpets of bluebells and orchids in the spring woodlands.
Recent Awards for the English Riviera
- South West in Bloom Gold Medal for Torquay (2006)
- South West in Bloom Silver Gilt Medal for St Marychurch/Babbacombe (2006)
- St Bridget Nurseries Challenge Trophy for winning our South West in Bloom category last year
- Green Flag for Sherwell Park
South West Coast Path
In its entirety, the South West Coast Path National Trail is 630 miles long. Torbay's stretch of this breathtaking footpath is 22 miles long and will lead you through a huge diversity of ornamental and natural sites.
www.swcp.org.uk
Torbay Palm
One plant in particular takes centre stage in Torbay and is very much the symbol of the English Riviera. The Torbay Palm was introduced to Torquay around 1820, brought over from New Zealand by plant collectors and became a prominent feature of large gardens of that era.
Predominantly green in colour, a few bronze palms also existed, however with the advent of micropropagation in the late 70's, these coloured palms were cloned by a Torbay nursery resulting in an attractive red palm (Torbay Red), a striking green/red variety (Sundance) and the appropriately named variegated palm (Torbay Dazzler). The most recent is the Pink Torbay Palm, Cordyline Pacific Dawn.
The scientific name Cordyline australis. Cordyline is from the Latin word "kordyle" which means club because of the shape of the root. It is also known in its native country of New Zealand as the Majestic Cabbage Tree!
© 2007 The English Riviera
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