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Family Days Out on the English Riviera

As well as the stunning coastline and beautiful beaches, the English Riviera has endless options for family fun including 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. Whether you stay in Torquay, Paignton, Brixham or Babbacombe there’s always lots to keep the family entertained.

Babbacombe

The charming and characterful village of Babbacombe is quite enchanting with its stunning sea views, colourful promenade and picturesque buildings. There are also some of Devon’s top attractions here: 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; the stunning Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves that takes you back to the Stone Age and the historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway for a fun ride down to the beach.

Torquay

Torquay is awash with attractions including: 800-year-old Torre Abbey with its Agatha Christie-inspired Potent Plants Garden; Torquay Land Train which will whisk you around town and to delightful Cockington village; Torquay Museum with its fascinating exhibits and permanent Agatha Christie Gallery and Waves Leisure Pool with its lovely warm water and activities for all ages. If that’s not enough you can try your hand at 10-Pin Bowling with 21 lanes, amusements plus food and drink on offer. In the quintessential English village of Cockington you can enjoy meeting the makers at the many craft studios and visit the Ark Play Area.

Paignton

Head for historic Paignton Pier where you’ll find fun and games galore. Children will love the free Geoplay Park with special features for toddlers and juniors to explore and enjoy whilst learning about the area’s heritage. Both Paignton Zoo and nearby Occombe Farm have lots to see with endless activities sure to create wonderful family memories. Torbay Velopark offers safe family cycling with bike, helmet and baby trailer hire on offer. A ‘must-do’ is the steam train that runs from Paignton to Kingswear along the stunning English Riviera coastline. There’s also crazy golf, go karts and a state-of-the art cinema complex showing all the latest movies. At Goodrington Beach you’ll find Splashdown the UK’s biggest outdoor waterpark with spectacular views of the beach and the bay.

Brixham

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. Why not enjoy a swim in Brixham’s historic Shoalstone Pool? It’s a well-maintained, historic seawater lido with incredible views over the Bay’s crystal clear waters. A stroll along the coast path here brings you to Brixham Battery Heritage Centre with its fascinating wartime museum where you are positively encouraged to touch the exhibits and where historic fighter planes hang ‘dog-fight-like’ from the ceilings. You can also visit Greenway, Agatha Christie’s famous holiday home (now National Trust) at nearby Galmpton or browse the galleries at Brixham Heritage Museum.

Wherever you base yourself on Devon’s stunning English Riviera, there are world-class attractions to ensure your family has an exciting and memorable stay.

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Family Days Out

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Beaches on the English Riviera

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.
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.
English Riviera Attractions

There's a huge choice of attractions in the Bay including renowned caverns, a model village, a steam train, a zoo, a huge waterpark, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside home and more.
Indoor Attractions

Devon’s beautiful English Riviera with its popular resort towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham has quite a renowned micro`climate and a very sheltered Bay, great for all types of outdoor fun. If the weather should be unsettled or chilly though, then the English Riviera offers probably the biggest and most exciting collection of indoor attractions and activities you’ll find.
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.

Number of results: 34

, currently showing 1 to 9.

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Bygones Torquay

Address

Fore Street, St Marychurch, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4PR

Telephone
+44 01803 326108

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Wander back in time, starting towards the end of Queen Victoria’s reign. Visit our authentic life-size Victorian Street, see the Blacksmith hard at work, smell the treats of the Sweetshop, listen to the hustle and bustle of Victorian life. Imagine…

Type

Type:

History & Heritage
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.Groups by arrangement.
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
Maidencombe Beach

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4TS

Telephone
01803 208443

harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

If you’re looking for a quiet haven to spend the day, Maidencombe Beach is the perfect retreat. Far removed from amusement arcades and water parks, Maidencombe Beach is about one thing: relaxing.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Paignton Sands

Address

Paignton, TQ4 6BJ

Telephone
01803 555720

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Paignton Beach offers the ultimate family day out at the seaside. With a sandy beach, safe swimming and a whole host of activities to enjoy, this promises to be a fun day out for all the family.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted - Not in summer
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Watcombe Beach

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4SH

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

If you're looking for a pleasant, idyllic spot for somewhere to relax then Watcombe is the beach for you.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
More Details
Dates

From:

1 Mar 2026to30 Nov 2026

Goodrington Boating Lakes

Address

Youngs Park, Goodrington, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6BU

Telephone
07513 103513

goodringtonboating@outlook.com

Price
Price £5.00 to £7.00 Per Ticket

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Mar 2026to30 Nov 2026

If you enjoy a leisurely activity then why not take to the water for a relaxing cruise around the lake in one of our swan boats - unless of course it's your turn to pedal! Then again, it's a good way to keep fit.

Type

Type:

Family Fun

Price
Price £5.00 to £7.00 Per Ticket

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Oyster Cove

Address

Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6DT

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Oyster Cove is an attractive beach which is very popular with local people. The beach is located along the South West Coast path to the south. At low tides there are many rock pools to explore.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Torre Abbey Sands Torquay

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6NE

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Torre Abbey Sands Beach is a beautiful, long sandy beach that runs along the seafront in Torquay. The main beach for Torquay, its popular with families, paddleboarders or sun seekers all year round.

Type

Type:

Beach

More Details
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

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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

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