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.

Back to the Stone Age

The stunning Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves takes you back to the Stone Age with fascinating tours and lots of special events.

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.   The historic Babbacombe Cliff Railway that takes you down to the beach at Oddicombe is a memorable experience.

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 gardens with large lakes and all your favourite animals including lions, tigers and elephants plus many more unusual species.  Guarding the southern edge of Devon’s English Riviera, Berry Head National Nature Reserve, is a famous hotspot for thousands of local and migrating birds. 

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’s famous horse drawn carriage rides are a wonderful sight to behold in this quintessentially English village, a stone’s throw from Torquay.

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.

Pirates and Smugglers

Brixham’s history is filled with pirates and smugglers, and kids of all ages will enjoy Brixham’s swashbucklng Pirate Days.  You’ll also love the full size replica of the Golden Hind, a splendid galleon that takes pride of place in Brixham’s beautiful Inner Harbour.  There’s a huge Pirate Festival every year in May.

History and Heritage

You can enjoy a day out at Greenway, Agatha Christie’s famous riverside residence (now National Trust) at nearby Galmpton (via steam train) or browse the galleries at Brixham Heritage Museum.   Torquay Museum has some really fascinating exhibits plus a 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.

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