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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 the English Riviera'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, , 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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Natural Affinity

Torquay

Artizan Gallery welcomes esteemed North Devon guest artists Jenny Smy and Gill Jones to Torbay for a three-week joint exhibition of new works in March.
Working diversely across a variety of mediums, the two inform their practice with a sustained...
The Paper Cinema's Macbeth

Torquay

A captivating film created before your eyes. Featuring live music, hand drawn puppets and cinematic projection, Shakespeare's tragedy is brought to life as you've never seen it before. Following their critically acclaimed Odyssey, The Paper Cinema...
Luminescent Nature

Torquay

Artizan Gallery welcomes Jo Salmon to the gallery for a two week solo show.
Jo was born and spent her formative years in Padstow, Cornwall and there is a clear influence from the Cornish art movements visible in her work. These allusions have...
UNESCO Geopark Festival

Torbay

Celebrate The English Riviera UNESCO designated Global Geopark at this years Geopark Festival . A wide range of events will be available to visitors and residents at a number of locations across the bay.
There's a range of events all week that can...
Greenway Literary Festival - Greenway House

Brixham

Why not get inspired at the very first Greenway Literary Festival in celebration of the ten year anniversary of Greenway House being opened to the public for the first time. Part of the #LoveGreenway year of celebrations.
Booking not needed
Free...
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.
(extra) ordinary

Bringing together site-specific works and partnership projects by artists and communities that animate and take over extraordinary and unexpected places, cultural treasures and sites in the English Riviera's unique natural environment.
Introducing...
England's Seafood FEAST

England’s Seafood FEAST
England’s Seafood Coast will play host to a feast for all the senses between 20th September and 6th October 2019. For 2 weeks you will be able to immerse yourself in England’s Seafood FEAST (view the programme here), eating...
wavelength

Experimental commissions with artists and technologists, culminating in a celebration of sound and light, illuminating the overlooked and unexpected.
An opportunity to come together in the darkness of November, and explore new work by artists and...
The Great Torquay Saturday Night Out - Torre Abbey

Torquay

Local history isn't just about the great and the good. It's about who we are, how we got here, and what matters to us as local residents. We're all part of our community and for generations local folk have enjoyed 'The Great Torquay Night Out'. Dr...
Her Story: Thread the Needle, Prove the Point

Torquay

Wren Music is an artist-led folk arts organisation based in Okehampton. The mission is to work with music and culture in order to educate, inspire creativity, promote inclusion, and celebrate identity. Wren works with all ages, from early years to...
Rock around the Bay - a talk by Lionel Digby - Torre Abbey

Torquay

A fascinating look back at the history of Rock n Roll in Torbay - by local celebrity Lionel Digby. We are exhibiting Lionel's archive of music memorabilia at the Abbey (12 Jan - 24 March) and you will be able to view the exhibition before or after...
Torbay Rocks - The Lionel Digby Collection - Torre Abbey

Torquay

60s & 70s music memorabilia from the Lionel Digby Collection.
Featuring the fascinating music memorabilia archive of local personality Lionel Digby. Lionel was one of the Bay’s best music and club promotors throughout the 60s and 70s and was...
Riviera Art Fair - Torre Abbey

Torquay

Tuesday 5 February 2019 to Sunday 24 February 2019
11:00 to 16:00
An exhibition and sale of works from the Brixham, Devon and Torbay Art Societies, in the stunning setting of the Spanish Barn. This promises to be an eclectic, inspiring and popular...
Desire Exhibition - Cockington Court

Torquay

An exhibition by designer makers providing unique Christmas gifts ranging from furniture, ceramics, candle sticks, paintings, mirrors, jewellery and much more. Gifts for family or friends or why not simply just treat yourself!
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...
Mysteries and Histories: Young Storytellers - Torre Abbey

Torquay

Keen on mysteries to solve and clues to unravel? Fancy yourself a young detective? At Torre Abbey Young Storytellers you can explore the mysteries and histories of Torre Abbey Museum and write new tales of your own. Is there a ghost in the Ballroom?...
Images and Imagination by Torbay Photographic Society

Torquay

19th January until end of March
A showcase of stunning images by the Torbay Photographic Society.
Open Tuesday to Sunday. Included in usual admission and free for 1196 Club Members.
For more information on the Society visit www...
March Exhibition

Torquay

Recent arrivals to the South Devon area, expert watercolourists, and husband and wife duo, Michael McDonagh Wood and Veronica Charlesworth, offer their first Devon exhibition since 2006, curating a selection of stunning watercolour works that the...

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