to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
This Easter, the English Riviera is making a compelling case as the UK’s premier family destination, blending world-class culture with the raw beauty of a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Located just three hours from London by train, the region has announced a spring line-up that rivals major city breaks while offering the rejuvenation and mindfulness of the coast.
The headline event of the season is Art on Your Doorstep at Torre Abbey. This free, open-air exhibition from the National Gallery is one of only a few nationwide. Stretching from the medieval abbey to the vibrant Torquay Harbour, it offers families a rare chance to engage with life-sized reproductions of masterpieces against a backdrop of 400-million-year-old coastal heritage.
The region’s National Trust properties are also reimagining the traditional Easter celebrations this year. Visitors can follow in the footsteps of Agatha Christie at Greenway with woodland Easter egg hunts overlooking the River Dart. And for the intrepid explorer, it’s always a great time to visit Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves.
Babbacome Model Village, famous for its thoughtful installations and intricate details, will also feature an alternative Easter Egg Trail and enchanting evening illuminations. And for the foodies, there’s an Easter-themed afternoon tea at The Imperial, one of Torquay’s grandest seafront hotels.
Coleton Fishacre, the stunning National Trust 1920s country retreat complete with a tropical garden by the sea, will also showcase Festival of Blossom, featuring opportunities to view the new blooms, have a picnic under the blossom, practice mindfulness, or experience forest bathing.
From toddlers to teens, the entertainment schedule is packed with things to see and do. For little ones, BBC’s Justin Fletcher brings Justin Live: Justin Time to the Princess Theatre.
For teens, The K-Pop Kingdom at Babbacombe Theatre promises a high-octane celebration of global hits and for the curious, Brixham Theatre hosts the Ultimate Bubble Show, featuring Guinness World Record holder Ray Bubbles and his never-before-seen bubble magic.
For families who prefer salt spray to stage lights, the UNESCO Global Geopark coastline offers Coasteering and Kayaking, clambering over sea-sculpted rocks, and swimming in natural rock pools.
The Dartmouth Steam Railway from Paignton and the iconic Round Robin (steam train, river boat and open-top bus combined) make for memorable days out, and the South West Coast Path offers walks for every ability and age.
With a range of accommodation to suit all budgets and group sizes from friendly, family-run B&Bs, action-packed holiday parks, self-catering and seafront hotels, the English Riviera really does have something for everyone this Easter holiday.
Carolyn Custerson, CEO of the English Riviera BID Company, commented: “Easter on the English Riviera is something genuinely special this year. Whether you’re scrambling along the Geopark coastline, watching the kids hunt for eggs at the National Trust’s historic house of Greenway, or experiencing art from the National Gallery against the backdrop of Torquay Harbour, there is something here for every family whatever the weather.”
Related
An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site. Come and enjoy a visit exploring Torbay's most historic building, garden and impressive displays, world-class collections and exhibitions, complemented by modern amenities and special accessibility features. This ancient scheduled monument has beautifully presented heritage rooms which are home to specially curated exhibitions and the museum's permanent collection which includes regionally important art. Family-friendly, and open all year round, Torre Abbey is truly a unique place to visit.
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 earliest humans and Ice Age beasts.
Feel like a giant as you step through the small entrance and the vast miniature world opens up before you. Explore 4 acres of award-winning gardens showcasing hundreds of uniquely hand-crafted model scenes, vehicles & people. The Model Village is set in a large beautiful valley and portrays a generic version of Britain through the decades with some well-known landmarks and a few twists. There are many hidden puns, fun scenes and lots of humour for all to enjoy. Our INDOOR Mythical Kingdom, a land of miniature animated legendary creatures set in a colourfully illuminated world, is a marvel in its own right.
The Imperial Torquay is set overlooking the beautiful Bay from its cliff-top position there are breathtaking views over the impressive coastline and sparkling waters of Torbay...
At the country home of the D’Oyly Carte family you can travel back in time to the Jazz Age. This most evocative of country homes was built in the Arts & Crafts style in the late 1920’s and is imbued with Art Deco elegance. A light, joyful atmosphere fills the rooms, and music plays, echoing the family’s Gilbert and Sullivan connections. You can get an insight into 1920s life ‘upstairs and downstairs’ from the glamorous Saloon to the airy servants’ rooms. In the RHS accredited garden viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, and paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds, as tender plants from the Mediterranean, South Africa and New Zealand thrive in the moist and sheltered valley.
The Princess Theatre, Torquay had a large refurbishment in Spring 2024 and is looking forward to welcoming audiences from all over the region to a fantastic season of entertainment.
An asset to the English Riviera for over eighty years Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, most especially since 1986 when Matpro Limited took over the venue. From its earliest days, the theatre had many years of successful summer shows, and it became known for its reputation of hosting household names on the threshold of their careers, including in 1955/56 Bruce Forsyth, who headlined in the Hedley Claxton’s ‘Gaytime’. From its heyday in the 1970s, successive failures in the early 1980s led to the council deciding to close the theatre, however Colin Matthews, who had been operating the theatre since 1986 took on a new lease in 1990.
We are an independent, heritage theatre, situated at the heart of the English Riviera, in the beautiful, vibrant, historic fishing port of Brixham. Our home is a late Victorian, Grade II listed building. The theatre is purpose built and is part of the Town Hall complex. It is set right in the centre of Brixham. We boast a proscenium arch stage and a traditionally decorated auditorium. The theatre has an audience capacity of two hundred and fifty. We offer a year-round programme of events to cater for all tastes. These include a wide variety of live music performances, in particular, tribute bands. We stage plays, musicals and one-man shows by local performers and touring theatrical groups. We have regular Movie Nights with popular movies
A warm welcome awaits you at Dartmouth Steam Railway & River Boats. We provide steam train travel, river and sea cruises across the English Riviera and along the beautiful river Dart in South Devon. The stunning Train of Lights and famous Santa Express services also run on selected dates in December.
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