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

For history and art explorers, there are three distinct museums across the Bay. Torre Abbey is an 800-year-old museum of history, art and performance housed in an Ancient Scheduled Monument in Torquay. Voted large Visitor Attraction of the Year (South Devon and English Riviera Tourism Awards 2017), the museum offers both a permanent collection of art and displays, alongside a seasonal programme of exhibitions, events and activities from world-class curators, established artists and emerging talent. With free entry for kids and teens every day, the museum is a great place to sample life as a Torbay local. Torquay Museum has 3 floors of exhibitions and displays in 8 galleries, featuring collections from both Devon and the world. The museum houses natural history collections with over 150,000 diverse specimens. Follow the incredible journey made by Torquay's famous explorers, from the Antarctic to Egypt and the Amazon. Discover the life and works of Torbay’s literary icon, Agatha Christie, with exclusive content, props and furniture. With a Certificate of Excellence (tripadvisor 2015), the museum is a favourite place for families both local and visiting. Brixham Heritage Museum is housed in an old police station, charting the rich history of this thriving town from the Napoleonic Wars to Victorian times, the First and Second World War and the maritime heritage of generations of Brixham Fisherman. With free entry throughout the year, the museum offers a slice of Torbay history, come rain or shine.

For performing arts and theatre lovers, Torbay has eight theatres and venues offering comedy, dance, family shows, music and performances from West End tours to the very best in local contemporary youth theatre and emerging talent delivering compelling shows. Located on Torquay’s’ seafront, the Princess Theatre showcases popular touring musicals, comedy, tribute acts and mainstream theatre; whilst the Little Theatre up on the hillside is home to renowned amateur dramatic and operatic society, TOADS, with classics, comedy and thrillers to delight. Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, performed throughout the year by a professional cast. Known more for its UNESCO Global Geopark status, you might not immediately think of Kents Cavern for performing arts; but this underground cave system plays host to Shakespeare and music in a truly unique setting. With dramatic views from the Downs, Babbacombe Theatre offers the best of traditional English variety shows. Brixham Theatre is a hot bed of local and touring music (especially folk), talks and theatre. In Paignton, you’ll find the oldest working theatre and cinema in the Bay, as well as a new arts and music club. The Palace Theatre is home to nationally recognised arts education company, Doorstep Arts, and offers a huge variety of touring performances from Shakespeare to comedy and music to family shows. Paignton Picture House is one of the most remarkable buildings in Torbay and one of Britain’s most important historic cinemas. A new Trust has set out to restore this venue as a place for arts, cinema, learning and wellbeing. Behind-the-scenes tours and special events are available to book. The Lucky 7 Club is a new live music, cabaret and entertainment venue with a vintage twist. Hidden at the heart of Paignton with advance tickets only, this is a one off experience you’re sure to remember.

Torbay’s other cultural attractions include Cockington Court showcasing Torbay’s artisan makers; Agatha Christie’s holiday home - National Trust’s Greenway; and four libraries in Torquay, Paignton, Churston and Brixham with a wealth of litrature, exhibition programmes and local study materials.

For festival goers, Torbay has a thriving seasonal and rotating programme with the International Agatha Christie Festival, BMAD Motorbike Festival, Brixham Pirate Festival, BrixFest, English Riviera Film Festival, Fishstock, Geopark Festival, Grinagog Festival, Paignton Festival and Torbay Royal Regatta. These are creative festivals set against the stunning landscape of the English Riviera, making them truly unforgettable experiences.

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The Artizan Garden Salon Open Show

Torquay

Join us for this exciting new addition to the Artizan Gallery calendar, an accessible, year-round, open exhibition, displaying a diverse collection of works from across the South West in a Salon style showcase.
In our Courtyard Exhibition Space, we...
Distraction Works of Sandra Lissenden, Roger Lissenden and Chantal Ashwell

Torquay

Regular exhibitors together, Chantal Ashwell, Sandra Lissenden and Roger Lissenden all live and work from their bases in the English Riviera. Their diverse styles span sculptural wildlife studies, elemental abstractions and impressionist landscapes,...
The Artists of St. Ives - Torre Abbey

Torquay

Don't miss a unique opportunity to see the acclaimed works of the St Ives Society of artists, on loan from the Arts Council Collection. Featuring artists such as Ben Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Barbara Hepworth, Paul Feiler and Terry Frost, this is a...
Devon Open Studios 2018

Torquay

Devon Open Studios is perhaps the number one event for South Devon art lovers every year, showcasing an exceptional range of talented artists who open up their studios for a few short weeks for us to explore and enjoy. Collectors travel from across...
England's Seafood FEAST

England’s Seafood FEAST
England’s Seafood Coast will play host to a feast for all the senses between Saturday 22nd September and Sunday 7th October 2018. For 2 weeks you will be able to immerse yourself in England’s Seafood FEAST, eating some of...
Taste of The Sea Exhibition

Torquay

Visit Cockington Court Craft Centre to immerse yourself in an exhibition of wall art by artists who are inspired by seafood. Cockington Court is proud to support the artists who live and work in our beautiful Bay.
Once you've experienced the...
September Stanza Extravaganza

Torquay

Monthly poetry at Artizan Gallery welcoming a wealth of local talent and incredible national headliners, Stanza Extravaganza is one of the highlights of the Torbay poetry calendar. With regular hosts Robert Garnham and Becky Nuttall at the helm,...
October Artist Preview

Torquay

Join us for an evening artist preview where we'll be welcoming artists and poets from our open exhibition, We Are Making a New World.
This exhibition of poetry and art is curated by Becky Nuttall in association with Robert Garnham and Artizan...
We Are Making a New World

Torquay

An exhibition of poetry and art curated by Becky Nuttall in association with Robert Garnham and Artizan Gallery Torquay.
2018 marks one hundred years since the 1918 World War One Armistice and women won the right to vote. However, conflict and...
Pilgrim Open Day Heritage Sailing Trawler

Brixham

Pilgrim is the oldest surviving trawler built and rigged in Brixham. Come aboard and see how they did things in 1895 and explore Brixham's unique fishing and sailing heritage. We provide free guided tours.
Pilgrim is owned and operated by the...
Torbay Art Show at Torquay Boys' Grammar School

Torquay

We are delighted to invite you to exhibit with us at the Torbay Art Show at Torquay Boys' Grammar School.
Over the weekend of the 13th and 14th October 2018, the Cavanna Centenary Hall will be transformed into a modern space where professional...
November Cocktails and Conversation

Torquay

Join us for a networking event without the early start! Artizan Gallery welcomes you to the 2018 season of Cocktails and Conversation.
This year, we'll be inviting you to exclusively preview our monthly exhibitions before they open to the public...
November Artist Preview

Torquay

Join us for an evening artist preview where we'll be welcoming artist Pauline Talbot and her exhibition of new works. The natural world for many artists is a diverse and expansive source of inspiration, it's power and beauty evoking experience...
November Exhibition Works of Pauline Talbot

Torquay

The natural world for many artists is a diverse and expansive source of inspiration, it's power and beauty evoking experience which is at once uniquely personal and universally shared in us all. For Pauline Talbot, it is the solitude, quiet and...
November Stanza Extravaganza

Torquay

Monthly poetry at Artizan Gallery welcoming a wealth of local talent and incredible national headliners, Stanza Extravaganza is one of the highlights of the Torbay poetry calendar. With regular hosts Robert Garnham and Becky Nuttall at the helm,...
Sculpture Trail

Cockington, Torquay

Follow our Art Path and discover sculptures created by local artists placed within the Court site, including the studio areas, Walled Art Garden and Manor House. A supporting exhibition takes place alongside in the Kitchen Gallery.
October Stanza Extravaganza

Torquay

Monthly poetry at Artizan Gallery welcoming a wealth of local talent and incredible national headliners, Stanza Extravaganza is one of the highlights of the Torbay poetry calendar. With regular hosts Robert Garnham and Becky Nuttall at the helm,...
Agatha Christie Birthday Weekend: Elephants Can Remember

Torquay

Elephants Can Remember – Scene One – HoloLens Edition
Hear Agatha Christie deliver the first scene of Elephants Can Remember in her own words from 1972 and become immersed in the sight of her imagination coming to life!
Using Microsoft’s HoloLens...
July Exhibition Works of Alan Price Roberts

Torquay

Expressive Portraiture
Devon artist Alan Price Robers joins Artizan Gallery in July for an exhibition of recent and retrospective works.

With a diverse background, including a period in Offshore Pirate Radio broadcast, Alan Price Roberts...
July Cocktails & Conversation

Torquay

About The Event
Cocktails and Conversation
July 3rd // 18:30-20:30
Join us for a networking event without the early start! Artizan Gallery welcomes you to the 2018 season of Cocktails and Conversation.
This year, we'll be inviting you to...

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