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English Riviera Attractions

Devon’s English Riviera has possibly the highest concentration of top quality attractions of any British resort including renowned underground caverns, a magnificent model village, a steam train, a world-class zoo, an historic funicular railway, an 800 year old Abbey, a huge waterpark, a historic pier, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside residence and much more.

So Much to Discover

Amongst the English Riviera’s huge number of family attractions are: Babbacombe Model Village with its 4 acres of award winning gardens, hundreds of model scenes, vehicles and people; Bygones with its authentic life-size Victorian street and 3 floors of pure nostalgia; Waves Leisure Pool with its lovely warm water and activities for all ages and Torquay Land Train which will whisk you around town and to the delightful Cockington village with its craft studios and country park. Historic Paignton Pier offers fun and games galore and kids will love the superb, free Geoplay Park on Paignton Green. You can also try 10-pin bowling, crazy golf, go-karts, amusement arcades and lots more.

Animals and Wildlife

There are plenty of attractions to appeal to the most ardent animal and wildlife lover. Paignton Zoo is a world-class wildlife conservation park set in beautiful and extensive botanical gardens with large lakes and all your favourite animals including lions, tigers and giraffes plus many more unusual species. Managed by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Occombe Farm is great fun to visit with their Ruby Red cattle and sheep as well as walking the 2km woodland nature trail bursting with wildlife and with a bird hide to spot nesting birds.

Cockington is a wonderful sight to behold in this quintessentially English village, a stone’s throw from Torquay. As you wander through the 400 acre grounds at Cockington, you'll spot plenty of native wildlife too. Guarding the southern edge of Devon’s English Riviera, Berry Head National Nature Reserve, is a famous hotspot for thousands of local and migrating guillemots and dolphin pods.

Ride the Rails

A ‘must-do’ is the hugely popular steam train that runs from Paignton to Kingswear and Dartmouth along the stunning English Riviera coastline. With fantastic views and a traditional interior, you'll be overwhelmed with nostalgia. During winter, make sure to watch for the Train of Lights - a fantastic illumination display and a great day out for the whole family.

Why not take a trip to the beach in style? The historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway takes you down to Oddicombe Beach - and back to save your legs! A memorable experience with stunning views, it is a definite must when you visit the English Riviera.

Back to the Stone Age

Walk in the footsteps of your prehistoric ancestors and head back to the stone age at Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves. On your visit you'll learn about the English Riviera during the Ice Age and what makes this area such a special place as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark. Keep an eye out for Kents Cavern's special events where you can sing Carols in the Caves, meet Santa, and much more in this unique venue.

Pirates and Smugglers

Brixham’s history is filled with pirates and smugglers, and all ages will love the full size replica of the Golden Hind, a splendid galleon that takes pride of place in the beautiful Inner Harbour. Every year, there’s a huge Pirate Festival where the record for how many pirates gather in one place is broken each year.

History and Heritage

Enjoy a day out at Greenway, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside residence (now National Trust) at nearby Galmpton. You can travel via the steam train to fully immerse yourself in the Golden Age lifestyle. The English Riviera has many fantastic museums. In Brixham, browse the galleries at Brixham Heritage Museum or head to Torquay and visit Torquay Museum to view the permanent Agatha Christie Gallery. A must-visit is 800-year-old Torre Abbey on the seafront in Torquay with its galleries and gardens including a medieval children’s garden, tropical glasshouses and a full events programme.

Make a Splash

For the thrill-seekers a trip to Splashdown Quaywest is a fantastic day out! With 8 flume rides overlooking the beautiful Goodrington Sands, swimming pool area and plenty of space to soak up the sun, you'll feel as though you've been transported to another world.

For those who prefer their water activities inside, head to Waves Leisure Pool in Torquay. The pool features a unique sloping floor, wave machine, flume and water activity centre. The sloping access makes it super safe so even the youngest children can enjoy the water and not feel out of their depth. Heated to a lovely 30 degrees, it is warm and welcoming!

Cycling

Torbay Velopark offers safe family cycling with bike, helmet and baby trailer hire on offer. There are also many local cycling routes around the area; cycle maps are available. For the adventure lovers, a trip to the custom-built off-road bike track at Scadson Woods Bike Park will satisfy thrill seekers.

Whatever you choose to do on Devon’s English Riviera you’ll have made some wonderful family memories to take home with you.

English Riviera

Attractions

Featured

Excursions, Day Trips & Tours

The English Riviera is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark in South Devon. It is one of only eight in the UK and 140 in the world. A geopark is an area of globally recognised unique geological interest with fascinating landscape, coastlines and places.
Boat Trips & Ferries

Devon’s beautiful English Riviera is set within a sheltered bay with stunning coastal scenery. The rich geological landscape is so unique that it has received international recognition and is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, one of only 8 in the UK and 140 in the world.
Animals & Wildlife

If you love animals and wildlife then Devon’s English Riviera has a host of attractions just for you. There are lots of places to explore that will create wonderful memories to take home.
History & Heritage

The beautiful English Riviera has a fascinating history and is a very exciting location for the heritage enthusiast.
Art & Culture

Beyond the wilds and beauty of Tor Bay’s iconic coastline lies a vibrant arts and culture scene of unique museums, diverse theatres and creative festivals.
Beaches

The South Devon coastline offers an ever-changing feast of sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, secluded coves, historic viaducts, elevated cliff tops, rockpools and wooded areas. And Devon’s famous English Riviera, a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, is the perfect base to experience it all.

OUR TOP ATTRACTIONS

Scroll down to discover our top attractions around the English Riviera.

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PGL Barton Hall

Address

Kingskerswell Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8JY

Telephone
01803 321400

Torquay

Dates

A coastal retreat, at the heart of the English Riviera, Barton Hall adventure activity centre is a great location for groups in South Devon and the surrounding area. Within the grounds, we have all the adventure activities your group could want –…

Type

Type:

Dry Ski Slope

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves

Address

Ilsham Road, Wellswood, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF

Telephone
+441803 215136

caves@kents-cavern.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Explore underground at Europe’s top Stone Age cave, with an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns open daily all year. Our entertaining guides will take you on an underground adventure in the Stone Age home to Britain’s…

Type

Type:

Cave
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site - Chargable
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00
OurGlass

Address

Studio 3, Stableyard, Cockington Court Craft Centre, Cockington Village, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ2 6XA

Telephone
+ 44 01803 606757

ourglasslimited@hotmail.com

Price
Free

Cockington Village, TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025Open 09:00 - 17:00

OurGlass produce an innovative range of studio glass using traditional glassblowing methods. The workshop is open every day, all year round and is free admission. You can watch the work being created up-close... and ask any questions you may have

Type

Type:

Craft Centre
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
Price
Free

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

2 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Palace Theatre Paignton

Address

Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3HF

Telephone
01803 665800

info@palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk

Paignton

Dates

From:

2 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Take your seats and let the show begin as the curtain rises at one of Devon’s favourite community theatres.
With performances and events running 50 weeks of the year you will be sure to find something to suit your tastes, from popular dramas to…

Type

Type:

Theatre

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Web Site
Dates

Brixham Battery Heritage Group

Address

Fishcombe Road, Brixham, TQ5 8RU

Telephone
01803 852608

information@brixhambattery.net

Brixham

Dates

The Brixham Battery Heritage Group was founded in 1999 by the late Ron Coleman, we are a group of volunteers helping to restore the Brixham coastal defence battery built in 1940 and provide on-site information to the general public

Type

Type:

Heritage/Visitor Centre

More Details

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Web Site
Carousel Amusements

Address

2 The Strand, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8EH

Brixham

Carousel Amusements is a family-friendly Arcade in a traditional seaside theme, with 2p pushers, cranes with popular Disney toy prizes, car and bike twin players, along with adult and junior basketball machines; thus offering a selection of machines…

Type

Type:

Amusement Parks and Arcades

More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Torbay Leisure Centre

Address

Penwill Way, Goodrington, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 5JR

Telephone
01803 522240

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Located in the heart of Paignton we are a leisure centre offering a 25m swimming pool as well as a trainer pool, 120 station gym, including Queenax Rig, sports hall, 4 squash courts,a friendly onsite café and even a Velopark!
There is also a…

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Apr 2025to4 Nov 2025

Torquay Land Train

Address

The Strand, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
07980 269352

chrisnormangriffin@yahoo.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2025to4 Nov 2025

The Torquay Land Train is a fun way to get around Torquay for all ages! Further information can be found on www.torquaylandtrain.co.uk.

Type

Type:

Sightseeing

More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to29 Oct 2025
PGL Barton Hall

Address

PGL Barton Hall, Kingskerswell Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 8JY

Telephone
0333 3212114

holidays@pgl.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to29 Oct 2025

Barton Hall, set in 46 acres of the English Riviera, offers families an unforgettable school holiday adventure! Devon's warm climate, the great activities on offer and Barton’s beautiful, outdoor heated pool have consistently made Barton Hall one of…

Type

Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
More Details

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Web Site

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The official tourism website for the English Riviera

This Official Tourism Website is managed by the English Riviera BID Company Ltd.

Company number 10237792

Registered address 5 Vaughan Parade, Torquay, Devon, England, TQ2 5JG.

Telephone 01803 211211 enquiries@englishrivierabid.co.uk

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English Riviera Attractions

So Much to Discover

Animals and Wildlife

Ride the Rails

Back to the Stone Age

Pirates and Smugglers

History and Heritage

Make a Splash

Cycling

Featured

OUR TOP ATTRACTIONS

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