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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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Brixham Battery Museum

Address

Fishcombe Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8BX

Telephone
07933793683

enquiries@brixhambattery.org

Brixham

Dates

Not only does Battery Gardens boast one of the most panoramic views in the bay, it is also a Scheduled Monument. The history of the site dates back to the 1580's but it was most significantly used as a World War II Emergency Coastal Defence Battery.…

Type

Type:

Heritage/Visitor Centre
Children & Infants

Accept children all ages
Establishment Features

Dog Friendly

Dogs-Accepted
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Key Features

Groups
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00
OurGlass

Address

Studio 3, Stableyard, Cockington Court Craft Centre, Cockington Village, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ2 6XA

Telephone
+ 44 01803 606757

ourglasslimited@hotmail.com

Price
Free

Cockington Village, TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

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

Type

Type:

Craft Centre
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
Price
Free

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Lupton House

Address

Churston Ferrers, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0LD

Telephone
01803 845800

janet@discoverlupton.com

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The Lupton Trust was formed by a group of local people to breathe life back into Lupton House – an old empty school, gardens and woods in Brixham. By pooling the communities’ enthusiasm, skills, expertise and knowledge to deliver a space for the…

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

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
Artizan Gallery

Address

7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5UW

Telephone
01803 428626

info@artizangallery.co.uk

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…

Type

Type:

Gallery

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Meadfoot Beach

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2EL

Telephone
01803 208443

harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted - Not in summer
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Beacon Cove

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2EP

Telephone
01803 207975

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Beacon Cove is a perfect haven away from the main beach of Torquay, close to Haldon Pier. Although walking distance from Torquay Harbour, it feels a tranquil world away from the hustle and bustle of Torquay.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dog Friendly
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details
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
The Real Crime Museum

Address

23 Victoria Parade, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ1 2BD

georgebamby1971@gmail.com

Price
Price Free to £8.95 Per Ticket

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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…

Type

Type:

Museum
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Key Features

Groups
Price
Price Free to £8.95 Per Ticket

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.

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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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