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History & 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 19th 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 20th 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 200th 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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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:

28 Jan 2026to18 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
Torre Abbey

Address

The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

Telephone
+44 01803 293593

torreabbeyenquiries@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

28 Jan 2026to18 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.
Come and enjoy a visit exploring Torbay's most historic building, garden and impressive displays, world-class collections and exhibitions, complemented by modern amenities and special accessibility…

Type

Type:

Abbey/Priory
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Key Features

Groups

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Babbacombe Beach Torquay

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LX

Telephone
01803 207975

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Fairy Cove

Address

Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6DG

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Fairy Cove is a little magical beach to the South of Paignton Sands, just over the Harbour wall, which is popular with families. Comprising red sand and shingle with impressive red sandstone cliffs at the back.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
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
Ansteys Cove Beach Torquay

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3TG

Telephone
01803 550022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Ashfield

Address

Barton Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4DP

Telephone
0844 474 2233

holiday@englishriviera.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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

Type

Type:

Historic Site

More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Hollicombe Beach Paignton

Address

Paignton, Devon, TQ3 2DN

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Hollicombe Beach, sits between Torquay and Paignton. With its distinctive red sand backed by tall cliffs it’s a sunbather’s paradise, and there’s a slipway to the beach giving easy access for people of all abilities.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted - Not in Summer
More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
Torquay Museum

Address

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1HG

Telephone
+44 01803 293975

enquiries@torquaymuseum.org

Price
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

Travel back through 400 million years of time at Torquay Museum – a hands-on family-friendly visitor attraction, with lots to see and do for children and adults alike. An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.

Type

Type:

Museum
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.After 1600.
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
Price
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site

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History & 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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