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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.

Discover more of the unique History and Heritage on the English Riviera here.

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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.
Hollicombe Beach Paignton

Paignton

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.
Youngs Park

Paignton

Goodrington’s Youngs Park is a natural habitat for swans, geese and wild birds and is perfect for family picnics with children of all ages plus the family dog. Enjoy the Boating Lake (where model boat enthusiasts are often launching their…
Churston Cove

Brixham

Churston Cove is one of the many excellent beaches to be found on the English Riviera, South Devon’s beautiful bay. A secluded cove accessed via a long, steep path, this is a real sanctuary of peace and calm.
National Trust - Greenway

Brixham

This is an extraordinary glimpse into the private holiday home of the famous and much-loved author Agatha Christie and her family.

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2027 reviews
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…

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
604 reviews
OurGlass

Cockington Village, TORQUAY

OurGlass produce an innovative range of studio glass using traditional glassblowing methods. The workshop is open every day, all year round and is free admission. You can watch the work being created up-close... and ask any questions you may have
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.
Greenway Ferry

Brixham

Greenway Ferry & Pleasure Cruises offer a wide range of family trips - Visit Agatha Christie's Greenway House from Dartmouth with Greenway Ferries
Overlooking some of the most stunning views of the river Dart stands the home of Agatha Christie – the…
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
1790 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…
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…
Beacon Cove

Torquay

Beacon Cove is a perfect haven away from the main beach of Torquay, close to Haldon Pier.
There is a small promenade above a tiny shingle beach and its sheltered position makes it a warm sunny spot even out of season. At the turn of the century…
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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3301 reviews
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.
Oldway Gardens

PAIGNTON

Oldway Mansion is set in 17 acres (69,000 m2) of gardens, which are laid out on an Italian theme by the French landscape gardener Achille Duchesne. Beneath the eastern elevation of the building is the maze, which consists of dwarf box hedging and…
Ashfield

Torquay

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

Brixham

Elberry Cove is a romantic impressive shingle beach with beautiful cystal blue clear waters a little gem in English Riveria, which is reached by a footpath from Broadsands beach. This is a beautiful beach in an idyllic rural setting.
Fairy Cove

Paignton

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.

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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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