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: 210

, currently showing 19 to 27.

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

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Zoo Keeper for a Day Experience - Paignton Zoo

Address

Paignton Zoo, Totnes Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 7EU

Telephone
01803 697500

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Learn all about life at Paignton Zoo and discover what it’s like to be a zookeeper with our ‘Keeper for a day’ experience.

Type

Type:

Unique Experience

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Berry Head Nature Reserve

Address

Gillard Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9AP

Telephone
01803 882619

berryhead@countryside-trust.org.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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…

Type

Type:

Animals & Nature

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Agatha Christie Bust Torquay

Address

Palk Street, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Agatha Christie was born in Torquay in 1890 and the English Riviera celebrated her centenary in 1990 with the creation of a hand-crafted bronze bust in her likeness.

Type

Type:

History & Heritage
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Tessier Gardens

Address

Lindridge Road, Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3SE

Telephone
01803 207797

greeninfrastructure@swisco.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Hidden away between Babbacombe and St. Marychurch, Tessier Gardens is a small and delightful park that was given to the town in 1933 by Mrs H.A Tessier 'for the use of adults only'.

Type

Type:

Garden

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Buzz Bingo Torquay

Address

Temperance Street, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5PU

Telephone
01803 298200

torquay.club@buzzbingo.com

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

If you're looking for a great night's entertainment along with the possibility of some spectacular jackpot prizes, then you'll be glad to know that your local Buzz Bingo club is never too far away. Each Buzz Bingo club offers a warm and friendly…

Type

Type:

Amusement Parks and Arcades

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

4 Mar 2026to30 Oct 2026

Brixham Battery Heritage Group & Museum

Address

Fishcombe Road, Brixham, TQ5 8RU

Telephone
01803 852608

information@brixhambattery.net

Brixham

Dates

From:

4 Mar 2026to30 Oct 2026

The Brixham Battery Heritage Group was founded in 1999 by the late Ron Coleman, we are a group of volunteers helping to restore the Brixham coastal defence battery built in 1940 and provide on-site information to the general public

Type

Type:

Heritage/Visitor Centre

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Access to Beaches on the English Riviera

Address

Torbay Council, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
01803 208443

harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

With 3.3million visitors every year, the English Riviera is South Devon’s beautiful bay and one of the most popular holiday destinations in the country. With over 20 spectacular beaches, clean and calm waters, many of them are easy to access

Type

Type:

Beach

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2026
Cockington Village and Country Park

Address

Cockington Village, Cockington, TORQUAY, DEVON, TQ2 6XA

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

Price
Free

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2026

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.
Cockington is a quintessentially English village with Saxon origins which attracts many thousands of visitors each year. Some of the quaint thatched cottages and buildings in the chocolate box…

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Pre-booking appreciated for very large groups.
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
Price
Free

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Scadson Woods

Address

Preston, PAIGNTON, Devon, TQ3 1RN

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

PAIGNTON

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Scadson Woods is a picturesque woodland situated between Occombe and Cockington. It is rife with wildlife including badgers, rabbits and even roe deer have been spotted here! With over 13 acres of woodlands, you can explore until your feet are sore!…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

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:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Dates

Type

Type:

Accessibility

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

Price

Dates

Type

Type:

Venue Facilities

Parking & Transport

Price

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website