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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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Coastal Kayak Safari - Reach Outdoors

Address

The Seashore Centre, Tanners Road, Goodrington Sands, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6LP

Telephone
01803 524950

info@reach-outdoors.com

Goodrington Sands, Paignton

Dates

Join us for a captivating half-day Kayak Safari within the stunning English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark.
Our experienced guides will take you on an awe-inspiring kayak journey through which you will travel across almost 400 million years of…

Type

Type:

Outdoor Activity/Pursuit Centre
Children & Infants

Accept children (Minimum age) - Minimum age: 8 Years
Key Features

Groups

Establishment Features

Cater for groups

Cater for school groups - We can provide adventure activity days for youth groups, with activities including kayaking, paddleboarding, coasteering, archery, bushcraft and more! We offer preferential youth group rates.

Welcome single sex groups, eg stag/hen parties
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Geology, Wildlife and Cave Kayak Tour - Sea Kayak Torbay

Address

Babbacombe Water Sports booking office, Oddicombe Beach, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3DD

Telephone
07903 992930

info@seakayaktorbay.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

Join an experienced, local, coastal guide in an extraordinary discovery of our geological past. Learn what a Geopark is, how it was created and how it is an ever-evolving canvas! Meet the pioneers that shape our coastline to the ecosystems and…

Type

Type:

Green/Sustainable Tourism

More Details

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Web Site
The Seafood Coast - 7 Day South West Coast Path Trail

Address

The English Riviera, Devon

Telephone
01803 211211

The English Riviera

Ideas for an amazing 1 to 7 day active holiday in the English Riviera in South Devon. Explore a UNESCO Global Geopark, experience water-bound adventures, do breath-taking walks, soak up sublime seaviews and gorge on England's finest, freshest…

Type

Type:

Walking Route

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Berry Head Nature Reserve

Address

Gillard Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9AP

Telephone
01803 882619

berryhead@countryside-trust.org.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

The high cliffs of Berry Head National Nature Reserve situated on the outskirts of Brixham are host to the largest breeding colonies of guillemots on the south coast of England and these are Berry Head’s most famous residents. Berry Head National…

Type

Type:

Birds

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Web Site
Sunset sea kayak safari with catering - Sea Kayak Torbay

Address

Sea Kayak Torbay, Torquay, Devon, TQ13DD

Telephone
01803912963

info@seakayaktorbay.co.uk

Torquay

A guided sunset paddle exploring the English Riviera Unesco Global Geopark by Sea Kayak. You will paddle out around the famous island of Thatcher rock and visit several sights of specific scientific interest (SSSIs). Before stopping on a wild…

Type

Type:

Sports

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Dates

Coastal Kayak Adventure with Sea Kayak Torbay

Address

Babbacombe Water Sports booking office, Oddicombe Beach, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3DD

Telephone
07903 992930

info@seakayaktorbay.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

Join an experienced, local, coastal guide in an extraordinary discovery of our geological past. Learn what a Geopark is, how it was created and how it is an ever-evolving canvas! Meet the pioneers that shape our coastline to the ecosystems and…

Type

Type:

Green/Sustainable Tourism

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Diverse Fitness Torbay

Address

Unit 5 St Marychurch Court, St Marychurch Road, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ1 4TY

Telephone
07500 665915

diversefitnesstorbay@hotmail.com

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2025

Torbay's top choice for body transformations!
Looking for a change in lifestyle?
With our state of the art facility, there's never been a better time to join.
We specialise in body transformations. Training determined individuals who want to…

Type

Type:

Sport/Leisure Centre

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Dates

Tall Tales and Sea Shanties

Address

Maidencombe Beach Car Park, Maidencombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4SU

Telephone
07723 088292

p.austin@mail.com

Torquay

Dates

Starting from the picturesque village of Maidencombe, on the northern edge of the Geopark, this 3 mile circular walk takes in the true splendour of the English Riviera, with spectacular panoramic coastal and woodland views.
Throughout the tour…

Type

Type:

Guided Walk

More Details

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Web Site
Dates
Kents Cavern Discovery Evenings

Address

Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Ilsham Road, Wellswood, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF

Telephone
01803 215136

caves@kents-cavern.co.uk

Wellswood, Torquay

Dates

Join us for our Discovery Evenings at Kents Cavern, set within the breathtaking UNESCO English Riviera Global Geopark. These expert-led presentations take you on a journey through time, unveiling the rich history, geological wonders, and…

Type

Type:

Education
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
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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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