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History and Heritage

The beautiful English Riviera has a fascinating history and is a very exciting location for the heritage enthusiast.

Torre Abbey and the Spanish Barn

Wonderful Torre Abbey on Torquay’s seafront is over 800 years old; you can visit its fine gatehouse, abbot’s tower and undercrofts as well as its beautiful works of art. The Abbey’s adjacent Spanish Barn was famously used to house prisoners captured from the Spanish Armada.

Torquay, Paignton & Brixham in the Napoleonic Wars

During the Napoleonic Wars the rich elite could no longer visit continental Europe and turned their attention to the warm, sheltered waters of the English Riviera. Brixham’s Berry Head National Nature Reserve still has well preserved Napoleonic forts from this period when it stood as an impressive guardian at the southern entrance to the Bay. The views here are quite spectacular with the sea on three sides.

Torquay - An Elegant Winter Resort

Torquay developed as an all year round holiday and health resort in the 19^th century due to its mild winter climate and clean sea air. In 1833 Princess Victoria visited Torquay for the first time and Victoria Parade was named in honour of the place where she first stepped ashore. In the early 20^th century Torquay changed from being simply a winter resort and became a popular summer destination attracting people from far and wide.

Torquay and Brixham in WWII

Early in 1944, the first of thousands of US Army personnel arrived in Torquay preparing for the buildup of forces in Southern England that would ultimately result in the launch of Operation Overlord, the springboard for the Allied invasion of German-occupied Western Europe. The two concrete slipways at Beacon Quay in Torquay Harbour were constructed for the embarkation of American troops. The outer harbour slipway at Brixham was also used for this purpose. The US Coastguard requisitioned Agatha Christie’s legendary holiday home Greenway (now National Trust) near Brixham leaving a now-famous mural behind as evidence of their visit.

Torquay and Brixham – Historic Sailing

Sailing and yachting have a long and illustrious history here on Devon’s glorious English Riviera with big international racing events and a host of championships talking place every year. Torbay Royal Regatta was the very first yachting regatta in the country to gain royal patronage. It celebrated its 200^th Anniversary in 2013 and is still hugely popular every August. In 1948 Olympic sailing events took place in Tor Bay.

Famous People Who Stayed

You can find over 50 blue plaques highlighting some of the Bay’s most well known former residents and visitors. Famous authors include Flora Thompson, author of the Lark Rise to Candleford trilogy, Charles Kingsley, who penned the Water Babies plus Rudyard Kipling and poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning who came for the resort’s famous sea air. One of the country’s best loved and most popular hymns Abide With Me was written at the Berry Head Hotel in Brixham by the Reverend Henry Lyte and Charles Darwin stayed in Torquay. Engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel has a long association with the area with four blue plaques celebrating his life and local links. Scientist Oliver Heaviside, renowned in the field of electromagnetic theory, is recognised in Paignton. Paignton was also the home of sewing machine magnate Isaac Singer, at Oldway Mansion. There’s a plaque to Oscar Wilde at Babbacombe Cliff where he stayed whilst writing some of his famous works. Renowned architect Edwin Lutyens designed the Drum Inn at Cockington and there is a plaque on the door in his memory.

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Woodlands at Berry Head Nature Reserve

Brixham

You may be surprised to know there are woodlands on this well-known headland - almost 20 acres of it! With large footpaths and good visibility between trees, the woods at Berry Head Nature Reserve is an ideal place to allow young children and dogs…
Italian Gardens - Abbey Park

Torquay

Don’t miss the Italian Gardens, which form part of Abbey Park and Meadows. Here you’ll find a charming pond with fountain and water rock garden.
Fishcombe Cove

Brixham

Fishcombe Cove is ideal if you want to escape the crowds. Situated along the coast from Brixham, this small shingle beach is a quiet, peaceful little cove protected on all sides by tall red cliffs.
Oyster Cove

Paignton

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.
Local Guides

Torquay

Are you bringing a group to the English Riviera to experience all it has to offer? Or are you an independent traveller looking to get to the heart of the resort? You'll find your trip all the more memorable with a tour from one of our local guides.
Battery Gardens

BRIXHAM

The Battery Gardens has one of the most panoramic views in the Bay and is a great location to watch the annual English Riviera Airshow. The gardens are a natural landscape of trees and grass, and in spring it becomes a sea of bluebells and snowdrops…
Kents Cavern Torquay

Torquay

Kents Cavern is one of Europe’s top and most exciting Stone Age caves, with an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns open daily all year. Our entertaining guides will take you on an underground adventure in the Stone Age…

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3180 reviews
Man Sands

BRIXHAM

Man Sands is a wonderfully secluded pebble beach with sand exposed at low tide. There is no parking near the beach, and it can be accessed only on foot either from Sharkham Pint along the coastal path (which has some steep sections) or by walking…
Babbacombe Beach Torquay

Torquay

East of Torquay lies Babbacombe Beach. A beautiful arc of shingle beach, this unspoilt coastline is a haven of tranquillity, gorgeous views and calm, clean waters where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere.
Creative Torbay

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CreativeTorbay.com is the hub for arts, events, and entertainment on the English Riviera.
Cockington Court Craft Centre

Torquay

At the heart of Cockington Village lies Cockington Court, a manor house with roots in medieval times, surrounded by acres of pretty country park. Today, the court is a hub for arts and crafts.

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833 reviews
Ashfield

Torquay

A Blue Plaque on Barton Road, Torquay, marks the spot of Ashfield, Agatha Christie's childhood home.
Ansteys Cove Torquay

Torquay

Between Torquay and Babbacombe sits Anstey’s Cove. Quiet, peaceful and incredibly beautiful, this small shingle beach is the place to come if you want to escape the crowds.
Global Geopark - Brixham

Brixham

In 2007 the English Riviera was designated a Global Geopark and is one of just 7 sites in the UK and Ireland to hold this special status.
Agatha Christie Mile

Torquay

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.
Down Copse Woodland

BRIXHAM

Down Copse is a mixed plantation which encloses the Greenway Park to the east. The permissive bridleway along the edge of the copse is followed by the Greenway Walk, a route encouraged by the National Trust to avoid traffic along Greenway Road to…
Artizan Gallery

Torquay

Artizan is an independent, fine art gallery situated on the English Riviera's stunning coastline dedicated to celebrating the work of South Devon artists and championing the contemporary artistic talent as well as the established cultural heritage…
Golden Hind Museum Ship

Brixham

The Golden Hind at Brixham, Devon is a full sized replica of one of the most iconic ships from the age of exploration. The Ship has been a feature of picturesque Brixham harbour for over fifty years, entertaining and educating thousands of visitors…

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597 reviews
Livermead Beach

Torquay

Livermead Beach - Good access for water sports. Swimming not allowed in the water ski lane. No sand at high tide.
Prestige Tours - Vintage Cream Tea Experience

Newton Abbot

Vintage Tours around The English Riviera
Indulge yourself with a fabulous scenic tour round the English Riviera and have a Devon Cream Tea to soak up the spectacular scenery.
The English Riviera is a 22 mile stretch of outstanding South Devon…

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History and Heritage

Torre Abbey and the Spanish Barn

Torquay, Paignton & Brixham in the Napoleonic Wars

Torquay - An Elegant Winter Resort

Torquay and Brixham in WWII

Torquay and Brixham – Historic Sailing

Famous People Who Stayed

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