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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.

Number of results: 209

, currently showing 55 to 63.

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Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
Torquay Museum

Address

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1HG

Telephone
+44 01803 293975

enquiries@torquaymuseum.org

Price
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

Travel back through 400 million years of time at Torquay Museum – a hands-on family-friendly visitor attraction, with lots to see and do for children and adults alike. An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.

Type

Type:

Museum
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.After 1600.
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
Price
Price Free to £10.00 Per Ticket

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:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026
Hollicombe Beach Paignton

Address

Paignton, Devon, TQ3 2DN

Telephone
01803 207975

beaches@torbay.gov.uk

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

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.

Type

Type:

Beach
Establishment Features

Dogs-Accepted - Not in Summer
More Details
Dates

Brixham Fish Market Tour with Rockfish Breakfast

Address

Brixham, TQ5 8AW

Brixham

Dates

The Brixham Fish Market tours are a fantastic way to get behind the scenes knowledge of the local fishing industry at the largest fish market in the UK with all profits raised going towards the great work of the Fisherman's Mission. Finish off the…

Type

Type:

Walking Tour

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

St Mary the Virgin

Address

Fore Street/Church Road, St. Marychurch, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4QY

Telephone
01803 914771

A-O.StMary@outlook.com

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Welcome to St Mary’s! We are an ancient place of worship dating back over 1,000 years to when Monks first brought Christianity here, holding religious meetings out in the open around the base of a cross which existed in the church yard until about…

Type

Type:

Church/Chapel

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Steamer Quay

Address

Rock Road, TORQUAY, Devon, TQ2 5SP

Telephone
01803 262217

info@steamer-quay.co.uk

TORQUAY

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Steamer Quay is a relaxation spa situated in the heart of Torquay, aimed at the LGBTQ+ community. In recent years, sessions have been added for mixed sex couples. The spa is 5,100 square feet, spread over four floors and offers the following…

Type

Type:

Spa and Relaxation

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Enterprise Amusements Paignton

Address

59-61 Torbay Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6AJ

Telephone
01803 556562

Paignton

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Pop down to Enterprise Amusements arcade on Torbay Road to try your luck with the huge selection of games to choose from. The air conditioned family arcade has redemption prizes,video games,pushers and cranes.
As you arrive in the seaside resort of…

Type

Type:

Amusement Parks and Arcades

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The Grove, Churston and Marridge Woods

Address

BRIXHAM, Devon, TQ5 8LH

Telephone
01803 520022

info@countryside-trust.org.uk

BRIXHAM

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

The woods are mostly set around a valley so there are some steep hills as well as rocky, muddy footpaths which become slippery when wet and may not be suitable for those who are less mobile.
With over 100 acres to explore, a network of footpaths…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

St Mary's Bay

Address

St Marys Bay, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9QF

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

St Mary’s Bay is a delightful secluded sandy beach with interesting rock formations and surrounding cliffs, just off the South West Coast Path.

Type

Type:

Beach

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.

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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