Splashdown Quay West

Search,Plan

And Book

You are here: Things to Do > English Riviera Attractions

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.

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.

Number of results: 211

, currently showing 1 to 9.

Sort By Price - Lowest Price - Highest Grading: Highest A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Vue Cinema Paignton

Address

The Esplanade, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6AG

Telephone
0345 308 4620

Torbay@vuemail.com

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Vue Cinema Torbay
At Vue Cinema Paignton, Devon you'll find the most up-to-date movies, reviews, film times for the week's hottest new releases and online ticket bookings to help you secure the best seats in the house.
This perfectly situated…

Type

Type:

Cinema

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Shoalstone Beach

Address

Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9AJ

Telephone
01803 851806

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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.

Type

Type:

Beach

More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Cary Spa

Address

Beach Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LX

Telephone
01803 327110

enquiries@caryarms.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The Award Winning Spa Room at the Cary Arms in Devon offers guests the chance for total relaxation and indulgence.
Kick back and enjoy the surroundings, soak up the south Devon view and go for a pamper. The Spa Room at the Cary Arms offer

Type

Type:

Spa

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2026

Fawlty Tours walking experience

Address

Visitor Information Centre, Vaughan Parade, Torquay, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
07414 777606

guide@englishrivierawalkingtours.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Dec 2025to31 Dec 2026

THE FAWLTY TOURS WALKING EXPERIENCE
One of the greatest British sitcoms of all time was set in Torquay!
Fawlty Towers was and remains Comedy Gold. 50 years ago the British public were introduced to Basil, Sybil, Manuel & Polly and we took…

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Decades Torquay

Address

13 Torwood Street, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ1 1ED

Telephone
01803 214446

matt@boneyardpromo.co.uk

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

For decades, Torquay was the playground of the rich and famous.
The Victorians established Torbay as England’s favourite holiday destination and it was still the number one spot during the swinging seventies!
For a century, The English Riviera was…

Type

Type:

Nightclub

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Battlefield Live

Address

Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0JT

Telephone
01803 842226

battlefieldlivetorbay@live.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Battlefield Live an exciting infra red combat game using sensor recognition and up to the second feedback provided by your gun, it’s next generation gaming and it’s here on a superbly designed 3 acre Battlefield in Torbay.
Its the closest thing to…

Type

Type:

Outdoor Pursuits

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Agatha Christie Mile

Address

Torquay Seafront, (starting points: Grand or Imperial Hotels), Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6NT

Telephone
01803 211211

holiday@englishriviera.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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.

Type

Type:

Sightseeing
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Beacon Cove

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2EP

Telephone
01803 207975

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Beacon Cove is a perfect haven away from the main beach of Torquay, close to Haldon Pier. Although walking distance from Torquay Harbour, it feels a tranquil world away from the hustle and bustle of Torquay.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dog Friendly
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Thatcher Point

Address

Ilsham Marine Drive, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ1 2HU

Telephone
01803 207797

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Thatcher Point is a phenomenal green space with a stunning view of the Thatcher Rock and out to sea. People visit Thatcher Point to take in the sea views and view Thatcher Rock itself, to go fishing off the coast, or to simply walk along the South…

Type

Type:

Viewpoint
Establishment Features

Dog Friendly
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site

Share Your Snaps

#EnglishRiviera

Real photos by real people. Use #englishriviera and you could end up on our social media gallery too. Experience the Bay your way! 🌴

There's so much to do and places to visit,

not enough time in 7 days with so much on offer!

Search, plan and book

Book Now

Order your free travel directories

Contact English Riviera Visitor Information

Submit your event

Hello.

We'd love to hear what you think about the English Riviera!

Complete our short survey below to enter our free draw, and be in with a chance to win a two night bed and breakfast stay at the Mercure Hotel in Paignton.

Enter now

Don't Miss

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

Ratings Powered By

My Planner

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

Refine By

Refine your search

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Accessibility

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Establishment Features

Accessibility

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Establishment Features

Visit Website

Don't Miss

English Riviera Visitor Information Centre