History & Heritage

How can we help you?

Things to Do
Accommodation
What's On
Food & Drink

You are here: Home > Things to Do > English Riviera Attractions > History and Heritage

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.

Number of results:

Number of results: 50

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Highest

Kingswear Castle Paddle Steamer

Dartmouth

The paddle steamer Kingswear Castle is the last remaining coal-fired paddle steamer in operation in the UK today.
Creative Torbay

,

CreativeTorbay.com is the hub for arts, events, and entertainment on the English Riviera.
Brixham Battery Heritage Group

Brixham

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
Kents Cavern Torquay

Torquay

Kents Cavern is one of Europe’s top prehistoric Stone Age caves with an extensive labyrinth of spectacular and easily accessible caverns open daily all year. This iconic heritage attraction has many quality tourism awards and comes highly…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2959 reviews
Shoalstone Beach

Brixham

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.
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.
Global Geopark - Babbacombe

Bababcombe

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.
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.
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.
Saltern Cove Paignton

Paignton

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.
Saltern Cove is one of the SSSI designate site in the English Riviera Geopark and a Local Nature Reserve. Unique in Britain, this nature reserve extends underwater to a point 376 metres below the…
Breakwater Beach

Brixham

Close to the mouth of Brixham harbour is Breakwater Beach, one of the cleanest beaches on the
English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay. Not only is it a Blue Flag beach, but it has a Seaside Award
and been recommended by the Good Beach Guide.
Global Geopark - Torquay

Torquay

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.
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.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
817 reviews
Rose Garden - Cockington

Torquay

Behind the Manor House within Cockington Country Park, you will find the peaceful Tudor Rose Garden (managed by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust) and also the Walled Art Garden (managed by TDA), which is currently undergoing a transformation into…
Meadfoot Beach

Torquay

A mile from Torquay harbour and in a stunning location at the bottom of a row of imposing cliffs. Grab a deckchair and enjoy the sound of the sea lapping against the shore, or wander along the promenade lined with a colourful row of beach chalets.
Bygones Torquay

Torquay

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…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1719 reviews
The Real Crime Museum

TORQUAY

The Real Crime Museum is a fascinating attraction based on the harbour in Torquay. If you are interested in crime, you will love the exhibits they have on show. They include gangsters, bank robberies, forensics, police memorabilia, prison service…
Preston Sands Paignton

Paignton

A short walk from Paignton is Preston Sands, a great family beach. On this safe, clean beach you can sunbathe, swim or make castles in the sand, or why not grab a fishing net and explore the rock pools at low tide?
Torre Abbey Meadows

Torquay

Abbey Meadows and Gardens is situated on Torquay Seafront. The meadow is a large open space used by all for events and picnics. The park itself is host to a range of activities, such as tennis and crazy golf; it also houses the Italian Gardens with…
Babbacombe Downs

Torquay

Beautiful Babbacombe Downs has the highest cliff top promenade in England, and on a clear day you can see right across to Portland Bill in Dorset.

Follow, Like & Join in

Follow English Riviera #EnglishRiviera

Follow English Riviera @EnglishRiviera

TWITTER UPDATES

EnglishRiviera

English Riviera

Get your #EnglishRiviera #foodie fix from home! 🥂 On tomorrow's episode of Islands to Highlands, @jamesmartinchef v… https://t.co/BRFXHNgFSD

7 Apr 2020 14:53:36

RT @DC_PCC: We love our visitors in #Devon & #Cornwall but now is not the time to be visiting - please #ComeBackLater If you… https://t.co/XG0QInTzxS

6 Apr 2020 18:40:09

Please don't visit #EnglishRiviera this Easter. Our attractions, cafes & accommodation are closed in line with Gov… https://t.co/FrDUbZAfnO

6 Apr 2020 14:02:32

What an incredible video for our final #SpreadTheLove! 🐬 Thank you to James Bills for capturing this magical moment… https://t.co/LOLz85RVhc

5 Apr 2020 18:05:55

Follow English Riviera

The English Riviera

Special Offers and Late Availability

Submit Event

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

My Planner

History & Heritage

How can we help you?

Things to Do

Accommodation

What's On

Food & Drink

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

Accommodation Search

Things to Do Search

What's On Search

Food & Drink Search

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

Number of results:

Follow, Like & Join in

Follow English Riviera #EnglishRiviera

Follow English Riviera @EnglishRiviera

TWITTER UPDATES

EnglishRiviera

English Riviera

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss

Don't Miss