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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.

Back to the Stone Age

The stunning Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves takes you back to the Stone Age with fascinating tours and lots of special events.

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. The historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway that takes you down to the beach at Oddicombe is a memorable experience.

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 gardens with large lakes and all your favourite animals including lions, tigers and elephants plus many more unusual species. Guarding the southern edge of Devon’s English Riviera, Berry Head National Nature Reserve, is a famous hotspot for thousands of local and migrating birds.

Managed by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Occombe Farm is great fun to visit with their Ruby Red cattle and sheep and you can say hello to the alpaca, ducks, lambs and chickens in the farmyard as well as walking the 2km nature trail. Cockington’s famous horse drawn carriage rides are a wonderful sight to behold in this quintessentially English village, a stone’s throw from Torquay.

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.

Pirates and Smugglers

Brixham’s history is filled with pirates and smugglers, and kids of all ages will enjoy Brixham’s swashbucklng Pirate Days. You’ll also love the full size replica of the Golden Hind, a splendid galleon that takes pride of place in Brixham’s beautiful Inner Harbour. There’s a huge Pirate Festival every year in May.

History and Heritage

You can enjoy a day out at Greenway, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside residence (now National Trust) at nearby Galmpton (via steam train) or browse the galleries at Brixham Heritage Museum. Torquay Museum has some really fascinating exhibits plus a 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.

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

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Babbacombe Model Village

Torquay

Visit this famous Torquay attraction to take time out from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and feel on top of the world as you see it recreated in miniature.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
3970 reviews
English Riviera Wheel

Torquay

See panoramic views over 100 feet above The Princess Gardens. Our Big Wheel offers a birds-eye view of the English Riviera overlooking Torquay Harbour from a rare perspective.
Open daily between 10:00 & 20:00!
Reach Outdoors

Goodrington Sands, Paignton

Explore the Geopark’s spectacular coastline with an adventure to remember. Reach Outdoors are an Award winning outdoor activity company and are here to make your visit to the English Riviera one to remember. We provide Coasteering, Kayak and Stand…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
573 reviews
Kingswear Castle Paddle Steamer

Dartmouth

The paddle steamer Kingswear Castle is the last remaining coal-fired paddle steamer in operation in the UK today.
Sea Kayak Torbay

Torquay

When we think about it, what epitomises Torbay is the view from the sea. We are overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and grandeur of the beautiful place we live in – and the geological history of what makes Torbay the stupendous coastal adventure…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
41 reviews
Dartmouth Steam Railway (starting in Paignton)

Paignton

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. We are open from February half term right through…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
3888 reviews
Dartmouth Steam Railway (Greenway Halt)

Paignton

If you are interested in visiting Greenway House and Garden, take a nostalgic trip with us and arrive the way Agatha Christie used to - by steam train!!
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park

Paignton

Paignton Zoo is one of Britain’s top zoos, home to some of the planet’s rarest and most amazing creatures. Discover all your favourites, including gorillas and orang-utans, giraffes, lions, tigers and rhinos, and be ready for a few surprises along…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
5059 reviews
Dartmouth Day Cruise

Brixham

Dartmouth Day Cruise - an exciting day adventure to the lovely historic Port of Dartmouth. Cruising on selected days (sea conditions permitting) from 1st April to 31st October. Departs from Torquay North Quay Steps 11:00 and from Brixham at 11.45.…
Dartmouth River Boat Company

Kingswear, Devon

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.
Torquay Land Train

Torquay

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.
Berry Head Nature Reserve

Brixham

Berry Head National Nature Reserve guards the southern half of Tor Bay. One of the main gateways to the English Riviera Global Geopark, it is an internationally-acclaimed heritage site, home to a fascinating variety of wildlife and history, with…
Shoalstone Beach

Brixham

Along the coast from the busy fishing harbour of Brixham is Shoalstone Beach. This isn’t just a shingle beach, but has a sea water swimming pool too, so still plenty of activities to keep everyone happy.
Agatha Christie Mile

Torquay

Drift back into the style and opulence of the Jazz Age as you retrace the steps of the world’s best-selling author along Torquay’s seafront.
Babbacombe Beach Torquay

Torquay

East of Torquay lies Babbacombe Beach. A beautiful arc of shingle beach, this unspoilt coastline is a haven of tranquillity, gorgeous views and calm, clean waters where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Creative Torbay

,

CreativeTorbay.com is the hub for arts, events, and entertainment on the English Riviera.
Coleton Fishacre

Kingswear, Dartmouth

Travel back in time to the Jazz Age at the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family. You can lose yourself in the magical 12-hectare (30-acre) garden: viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1767 reviews
Ashleys Fishing Trips

Paignton

A 2 hour mackerel fishing trip - searching the local waters onboard the 'Boy Richard'.
Waves Leisure Pool

Torquay

No matter what the weather our pool offers great fun for all the family! With wave machine, flume, water activity centre, sloping access and heated to a lovely 30 degrees the pool is warm & welcoming!
Babbacombe Cliff Railway

Torquay

Built in 1926, the Babbacombe Cliff Railway has shuttled hundreds of thousands of holiday makers to and from Oddicombe Beach in over 90 years of service.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
443 reviews

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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.
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English Riviera Attractions

So Much to Discover

Back to the Stone Age

Ride the Rails

Animals and Wildlife

Cycling

Pirates and Smugglers

History and Heritage

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