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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.

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 2026to31 Dec 2026

New Central Cinema

Address

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

Telephone
01803 380001

newcentral@merlincinemas.co.uk

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

15 Apr 2026to31 Dec 2026

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 2026to31 Dec 2026

Torquay

Address

Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JG

holiday@englishriviera.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Torquay has been one of the UK's top holiday destinations since Victorian Times when the gentry promenaded, bathing huts were wheeled down the beaches and anyone who was anyone had an attractive villa overlooking the sea.

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Cayman Golf

Address

Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0JT

Telephone
01803 845909

caymangolf@hotmail.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Cayman golf is a family run business, which has been cleverly designed to create a short 18 hole (par71) golf course, built in 9 acres of picturesque Devon countryside on the outskirts of Brixham.

Type

Type:

Golf Course
Children & Infants

Accept children (Minimum age)
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Greenway Ferry

Address

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

Telephone
01803 882811

info@greenwayferry.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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
Dates
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 2026Various Opening Times
AMF Bowling

Address

Torwood Street, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1DZ

Telephone
0844 826 3034

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

With 21 state of the art bowling lanes, fantastic food and on drinks from the diner, an impressive selection of awesome amusements, AMF Bowling Torquay, Devon has something for all the family to enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect…

Type

Type:

Activity Centre
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
Establishment Features

Cater for groups

Cater for school groups
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

South West Coast Path

Address

English Riviera, Devon, TQ2 5JG

hello@southwestcoastpath.org.uk

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The English Riviera has 22 miles of coastline and a UNESCO Global Geopark, all of which can be discovered on the South West Coast Path, which runs along South Devon's beautiful bay between Maidencombe in the north and Sharkham Point in the south.

Type

Type:

Waymarked Trail

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Jungle Journey Adventure Golf

Address

Belgrave Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5HP

Telephone
01803 525723

mail@junglejourney.co.uk

Price
Price £3.50 to £7.00 Per Ticket

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

18 Hole Jungle themed adventure golf course. Wind your way through the jungle using your golf skill as you encounter tigers, gorillas, chimps and snakes among many other jungle creatures.

Type

Type:

Golf Course

Price
Price £3.50 to £7.00 Per Ticket

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Scadson Woods

Address

Preston, PAIGNTON, Devon, TQ3 1RN

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

PAIGNTON

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Scadson Woods is a picturesque woodland situated between Occombe and Cockington. It is rife with wildlife including badgers, rabbits and even roe deer have been spotted here! With over 13 acres of woodlands, you can explore until your feet are sore!…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

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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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