Splashdown Quay West

Search,Plan

And Book

You are here: Things to Do > English Riviera Attractions

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 64 to 72.

Sort By Price - Lowest Price - Highest Grading: Highest A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Brixham Marina

Address

Berry Head Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9BW

Telephone
01803 882929

enquiries@mdlmarinas.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Brixham Marina is in the heart of Brixham, a picturesque Devon town in the wider area of Torbay. Sheltered from the south-westerly winds and offering safe access in all weathers and at all states of the tide, the 485-berth marina is the perfect base…

Type

Type:

Canal / Waterway / Marina

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Rose Garden - Cockington

Address

Rear of Cockington Court, Cockington Village, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6XA

Torquay

Tucked behind Cockington Court, the peaceful Memorial Rose Garden is a lovely place to pause and enjoy a quieter corner of Cockington.
The walled garden sits beside the historic Manor House and forms part of the wider Cockington estate, surrounded…

Type

Type:

Historic Garden

More Details
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Seaspray Fishing Trips

Address

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

Telephone
07595297467

catfish@live.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

LETS GO FISHING
Departing from Brixham Harbour aboard Seaspray for a 2 hour trip on Brixham's longest running Mackerel Fishing Charter Boat, you will sail at highspeed to where the fish are, staying inshore and hugging the coastline, using the…

Type

Type:

Boat Trip

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Woodlands at Berry Head Nature Reserve

Address

Gillard Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 9AP

Telephone
01803 882619

berryhead@countryside-trust.org.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

You may be surprised to know there are woodlands on this well-known headland - almost 20 acres of it! With large footpaths and good visibility between trees, the woods at Berry Head Nature Reserve is an ideal place to allow young children and dogs…

Type

Type:

Parkland/Woodland Garden

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Rock Solid Coasteering

Address

Maidencombe, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 4SU

Telephone
07723 088292

p.austin@mail.com

Torquay

Get exclusive access to the route, special features, award winning photos, drinks -the full package!
Don't want to be part of a large group? Would you like something much more exclusive to mark a special occasion? With the 'Bespoke' package you…

Type

Type:

Coasteering

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 June 2026to1 Jan 2029
The Palm Rooms at Hotel Indigo

Address

Sea Front, Torbay Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6RH

Telephone
01803 435751

thepalmrooms@ihg.com

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 June 2026to1 Jan 2029

Discover The Palm Rooms, your tranquil space for restorative spa treatments and massages, where calm tones, natural textures, and an unhurried atmosphere invite you to slow down. Each treatment is designed to ease tension, restore balance, and leave…

Type

Type:

Hotel Spa
Establishment Features

Dog Friendly

Dogs-Accepted
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted

Establishment Features

Welcome single sex groups, eg stag/hen parties
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

Visit Website

Web Site
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times
Leisure Pool at the Riviera International Centre

Address

Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, DEVON, TQ2 5LZ

Telephone
+44 (0)1803 299992

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2025to31 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

There is something for everyone in our impressive leisure pool. Whether it’s our Swim England swimming lessons or just a casual swim, there are activities for all.
WHAT’S ON OFFER?
Waves leisure pool
Wave Machine
Sloping beach style…

Type

Type:

Leisure/Swimming Pool
Children & Infants

Facilities for children
Venue Facilities

Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.Minimum size group for entertainment 10; minimum size group for swim 20.

Key Features

Groups

Establishment Features

Cater for groups
Parking & Transport

Parking On Site
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
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
Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Torquay Marina

Address

Vaughan Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5EQ

Telephone
01803 200210

enquiries@mdlmarinas.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2026to31 Dec 2026

Torquay Marina is in the north-east corner of Torbay and sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly winds, so it’s a safe haven for boats in all weathers. With modern facilities and superb bluewater cruising, it's popular with yachtsmen from home…

Type

Type:

Canal / Waterway / Marina

More Details

Visit Website

Web Site

Share Your Snaps

#EnglishRiviera

Real photos by real people. Use #englishriviera and you could end up on our social media gallery too. Experience the Bay your way! 🌴

There's so much to do and places to visit,

not enough time in 7 days with so much on offer!

Search, plan and book

Book Now

Order your free travel directories

Contact English Riviera Visitor Information

Submit your event

Hello.

We'd love to hear what you think about the English Riviera!

Complete our short survey below to enter our free draw, and be in with a chance to win a two night bed and breakfast stay at the Mercure Hotel in Paignton.

Enter now

Don't Miss

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

Ratings Powered By

My Planner

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

Refine By

Refine your search

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Address

Type

Type:

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Address

Telephone

Type

Type:

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Establishment Features

Venue Facilities

Establishment Features

Parking & Transport

Accessibility

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Children & Infants

Venue Facilities

Key Features

Establishment Features

Parking & Transport

Accessibility

Visit Website

Dates

Address

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Address

Telephone

Dates

Type

Type:

Visit Website