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English Riviera Attractions

Devon’s English Riviera has possibly the highest concentration of top quality attractions of any British resort including renowned underground caverns, a magnificent model village, a steam train, a world-class zoo, an historic funicular railway, an 800 year old Abbey, a huge waterpark, a historic pier, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside residence and much more.

So Much to Discover

Amongst the English Riviera’s huge number of family attractions are: Babbacombe Model Village with its 4 acres of award winning gardens, hundreds of model scenes, vehicles and people; Bygones with its authentic life-size Victorian street and 3 floors of pure nostalgia; Waves Leisure Pool with its lovely warm water and activities for all ages and Torquay Land Train which will whisk you around town and to the delightful Cockington village with its craft studios and country park. Historic Paignton Pier offers fun and games galore and kids will love the superb, free Geoplay Park on Paignton Green. You can also try 10-pin bowling, crazy golf, go-karts, amusement arcades and lots more.

Animals and Wildlife

There are plenty of attractions to appeal to the most ardent animal and wildlife lover. Paignton Zoo is a world-class wildlife conservation park set in beautiful and extensive botanical gardens with large lakes and all your favourite animals including lions, tigers and giraffes plus many more unusual species. Managed by Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Occombe Farm is great fun to visit with their Ruby Red cattle and sheep as well as walking the 2km woodland nature trail bursting with wildlife and with a bird hide to spot nesting birds.

Cockington is a wonderful sight to behold in this quintessentially English village, a stone’s throw from Torquay. As you wander through the 400 acre grounds at Cockington, you'll spot plenty of native wildlife too. Guarding the southern edge of Devon’s English Riviera, Berry Head National Nature Reserve, is a famous hotspot for thousands of local and migrating guillemots and dolphin pods.

Ride the Rails

A ‘must-do’ is the hugely popular steam train that runs from Paignton to Kingswear and Dartmouth along the stunning English Riviera coastline. With fantastic views and a traditional interior, you'll be overwhelmed with nostalgia. During winter, make sure to watch for the Train of Lights - a fantastic illumination display and a great day out for the whole family.

Why not take a trip to the beach in style? The historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway takes you down to Oddicombe Beach - and back to save your legs! A memorable experience with stunning views, it is a definite must when you visit the English Riviera.

Back to the Stone Age

Walk in the footsteps of your prehistoric ancestors and head back to the stone age at Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves. On your visit you'll learn about the English Riviera during the Ice Age and what makes this area such a special place as part of the UNESCO Global Geopark. Keep an eye out for Kents Cavern's special events where you can sing Carols in the Caves, meet Santa, and much more in this unique venue.

Pirates and Smugglers

Brixham’s history is filled with pirates and smugglers, and all ages will love the full size replica of the Golden Hind, a splendid galleon that takes pride of place in the beautiful Inner Harbour. Every year, there’s a huge Pirate Festival where the record for how many pirates gather in one place is broken each year.

History and Heritage

Enjoy a day out at Greenway, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside residence (now National Trust) at nearby Galmpton. You can travel via the steam train to fully immerse yourself in the Golden Age lifestyle. The English Riviera has many fantastic museums. In Brixham, browse the galleries at Brixham Heritage Museum or head to Torquay and visit Torquay Museum to view the permanent Agatha Christie Gallery. A must-visit is 800-year-old Torre Abbey on the seafront in Torquay with its galleries and gardens including a medieval children’s garden, tropical glasshouses and a full events programme.

Make a Splash

For the thrill-seekers a trip to Splashdown Quaywest is a fantastic day out! With 8 flume rides overlooking the beautiful Goodrington Sands, swimming pool area and plenty of space to soak up the sun, you'll feel as though you've been transported to another world.

For those who prefer their water activities inside, head to Waves Leisure Pool in Torquay. The pool features a unique sloping floor, wave machine, flume and water activity centre. The sloping access makes it super safe so even the youngest children can enjoy the water and not feel out of their depth. Heated to a lovely 30 degrees, it is warm and welcoming!

Cycling

Torbay Velopark offers safe family cycling with bike, helmet and baby trailer hire on offer. There are also many local cycling routes around the area; cycle maps are available. For the adventure lovers, a trip to the custom-built off-road bike track at Scadson Woods Bike Park will satisfy thrill seekers.

Whatever you choose to do on Devon’s English Riviera you’ll have made some wonderful family memories to take home with you.

English Riviera

Attractions

Featured

Excursions, Day Trips & Tours

The English Riviera is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark in South Devon. It is one of only eight in the UK and 140 in the world. A geopark is an area of globally recognised unique geological interest with fascinating landscape, coastlines and places.
Boat Trips & Ferries

Devon’s beautiful English Riviera is set within a sheltered bay with stunning coastal scenery. The rich geological landscape is so unique that it has received international recognition and is a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, one of only 8 in the UK and 140 in the world.
Animals & Wildlife

If you love animals and wildlife then Devon’s English Riviera has a host of attractions just for you. There are lots of places to explore that will create wonderful memories to take home.
History & Heritage

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

Beyond the wilds and beauty of Tor Bay’s iconic coastline lies a vibrant arts and culture scene of unique museums, diverse theatres and creative festivals.
Beaches

The South Devon coastline offers an ever-changing feast of sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, secluded coves, historic viaducts, elevated cliff tops, rockpools and wooded areas. And Devon’s famous English Riviera, a designated UNESCO Global Geopark, is the perfect base to experience it all.

OUR TOP ATTRACTIONS

Scroll down to discover our top attractions around the English Riviera.

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Dates

From:

15 Apr 2025to31 Dec 2025

New Central Cinema

Address

90-96 Union Street, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ2 5PY

Telephone
01803 380001

newcentral@merlincinemas.co.uk

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

15 Apr 2025to31 Dec 2025

Merlin Cinemas have relocated to Union Street from Abbey Road
Merlin Cinemas recently relocated to what was the old BHS store on Union Street. Now a 4-screen cinema and street-level restaurant, Hollywood Pizza.
Showing all the latest blockbusters,…

Type

Type:

Cinema

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Clennon Lakes

Address

Penwill Way, PAIGNTON, Devon, TQ4 5JP

PAIGNTON

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Clennon Lakes is a nature reserve consisting of manmade lakes created by the council in the 1980s. They are the most important wetland site on the English Riviera and home to many species found nowhere else in the Bay. On the lakes, you will find an…

Type

Type:

Natural Wildlife Site

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Torbay Leisure Centre

Address

Penwill Way, Goodrington, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 5JR

Telephone
01803 522240

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Located in the heart of Paignton we are a leisure centre offering a 25m swimming pool as well as a trainer pool, 120 station gym, including Queenax Rig, sports hall, 4 squash courts,a friendly onsite café and even a Velopark!
There is also a…

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Delve Devon Tours

Address

Various locations throughout, Devon, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
07711 741631

delvedevon@outlook.com

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

We specialise in arranging private, fully customised tours for solo travellers and couples. With the added bonus of having two hosts, we are confident that we can fully cater to your every need throughout the day, leaving you with nothing to do but…

Type

Type:

Guided Tour

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

Boat Trips - Brixham

Address

Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8AW

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Apr 2026to31 Oct 2026

A boat trip is the perfect way to experience the English Riviera from one of its best vantage points - the sea! Whether you're looking for a sight-seeing trip, fishing excursion or simply to cross the bay on a ferry, you'll find it all here.

Type

Type:

Boat Trip

More Details
Torre Abbey Meadows

Address

The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5HP

Telephone
01803 207797

greeninfrastructure@swisco.co.uk

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…

Type

Type:

Historic Garden

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Oddicombe Beach Torquay

Address

Babbacombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LU

Telephone
01803 208443

harbour.authority@torbay.gov.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

This is a great beach for all ages! paddling for the young and a variety of watersports for the older and braver! Accessible via a steep road or you could take the amazing Babbabacombe Cliff Railway.

Type

Type:

Beach
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
The Imperial Torquay Spa

Address

Park Hill Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2DG

Telephone
+44 01803 294301

info@theimperialtorquay.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Located in the Health & Leisure Club, a range of spa treatments by Decléor are available at The Imperial Torquay including facials, body massages and manicures.
Combining nature’s purest and most potent active ingredients, Decléor scientifically…

Type

Type:

Hotel Spa
Key Features

Groups Welcomed
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site - Parking is Charged at £7.00 per car per night and £15.00 for Garage Parking

Parking On-site or Valet Parking
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025
Greenway Ferry

Address

Booking Kiosk, The Quay, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8AW

Telephone
01803 882811

info@greenwayferry.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

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…

Type

Type:

Boat Trip
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
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Web Site

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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.

Company number 10237792

Registered address 5 Vaughan Parade, Torquay, Devon, England, TQ2 5JG.

Telephone 01803 211211 enquiries@englishrivierabid.co.uk

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English Riviera Attractions

So Much to Discover

Animals and Wildlife

Ride the Rails

Back to the Stone Age

Pirates and Smugglers

History and Heritage

Make a Splash

Cycling

Featured

OUR TOP ATTRACTIONS

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