Contact Details

holiday@torbay.gov.uk
Tel: 01803 211 211

Heritage and Culture

With such a rich heritage stretching back through the centuries (and millennia) there is so much to discover on the English Riviera.

Start right back at the geological beginnings of the Riviera coastline with a visit to Kents Cavern.

Visit the caves and hear many more fascinating facts about the geological evolution of the area, its early cave-dwellers and the excitement of the early explorers that excavate the caves for all to enjoy.

Torquay Museum houses many of the exciting finds made during those excavations and the determination of those early explorers is the theme of their new Explorer's gallery. The museum is also home to the Agatha Christie gallery - a fine collection of photographs and memorabilia linked with the life and times of Torquay's most famous daughter.

Torre Abbey is the area's oldest building, in its time a monastery and also a family home. The fine undercrofts and structure of the building are now part of an exciting restoration project, breathing new life into this ancient building.

The English Riviera's earliest leisure visitors were the wives and families of officers posted at the forts of Berry Head. This strategic headland was a critical part of the defences deemed essential to keep Napoleon's armies at bay. Exploring the ruins today it is easy to understand how this prominent location at the head of the English Channel was of such strategic importance. There are in fact two ruined forts to explore on this dramatic headland with stunning views to the east and southwest along the coast towards Cornwall.

During the 19th century the English Riviera's ports were thriving and fishing was one of the top industries. Brixham became known as the 'Mother of Trawling' and a visit to the port should include a stop at the Brixham Heritage Museum where the story of the port is charmingly told. On most days you will be able to see in port one or more of the restored heritage sailing trawlers.

Evidence of an altogether more glamorous lifestyle can be found at Oldway Mansion where Isaac Singer (of sewing machine fame) entertained his colourful friends and where his son, Paris, danced with the beautiful Isadora Duncan.

Entry to the house is free and there is a small exhibition in the foyer.

The war years placed this coastline's ports and defences in critical roles and visitors to the English Riviera can delve into this history at Brixham Battery and the Brixham Battery Heritage Centre. At the other end of the Bay the contribution of our American allies is remembered at Beacon Quay where thousands of men left these shores, heading for the Normandy beaches; many never to return.

Arts on the English Riviera

Torre Abbey houses the third largest art collection in the county of Devon. The Abbey re-opened in June 2008 following a period of restoration.

Brixham Arts and Craft Market runs on Saturdays through the summer and is a treasure trove of local art and crafts, many inspired by life beside the sea. Artistic inspiration and rural crafts are also on show every day at Cockington Court, once a stately home but now a craft centre with a number of resident craftsmen including potter, glass-blower and blacksmith.

Visit Torquay Waterfront where the exciting new waterfront development was completed with a thought provoking piece of public art named 'Quay Ring'. The centrepiece is a 7 metre diameter steel ring circling the new quayside walkway.
Leading to it is a line of Morse Code lighting that spells out `Vanishing Point', looking towards the horizon and in memory of the many of the World War II troops that left from this point and did indeed 'vanish' to the world in the D-Day battles of 1944.