Performing Arts & Exhibitions

For performing arts and theatre lovers, Torbay has eight theatres and venues offering comedy, dance, family shows, music and performances from West End tours to the very best in local contemporary youth theatre and emerging talent delivering compelling shows.

Located on Torquay’s’ seafront, the Princess Theatre showcases popular touring musicals, comedy, tribute acts and mainstream theatre; whilst the Little Theatre up on the hillside in leafy Meadfoot in Torquay, is home to renowned amateur dramatic and operatic society, TOADS, with classics, comedy and thrillers to delight. Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, performed throughout the year by a professional cast.

Brixham Theatre is a hot bed of local and touring music (especially folk), with interesting talks and theatre shows for young and old throughout the year.

In Paignton, you’ll find the oldest working theatre and cinema in the Bay, as well as a new arts and music club. The Palace Theatre is home to nationally recognised arts education company, Doorstep Arts, and offers a huge variety of touring performances from Shakespeare to comedy and music to family shows.

Known more for its UNESCO Global Geopark status, you might not immediately think of Kents Cavern for performing arts; but this underground cave system plays host to Shakespeare and music in a truly unique setting.

Paignton Picture House is one of the most remarkable buildings in Torbay and one of Britain’s most important historic cinemas. A new Trust has set out to restore this venue as a place for arts, cinema, learning and wellbeing. Behind-the-scenes tours and special events are available to book.

Exhibitions

The coast and countryside of Torbay and the South West have long been a source of inspiration for artists. From bold seascapes to sculptures, you’ll find art exhibitions taking place across the local area.

Many of our historic buildings, like Cockington Court and Greenway, play host to exhibitions throughout the year.

Cockington Court has a reputation as an arts and crafts hub. As well as the collections in the craft studios, you’ll find regular exhibitions are put on in the Kitchen Gallery and the Tea Room Gallery. And when you’re in need of refreshment, you’ll never be far from a tea shop serving up a delicious Devon cream tea.

Agatha Christie is one of Torbay’s most well-loved former residents. As well as finding information on her life at Torquay Museum, you can visit her former home Greenway House. Now run by the National Trust, you’ll find special exhibitions as well as a permanent collection charting her time in Torbay and the influence it had on her writing.

At Torre Abbey you’ll find a series of excellent permanent galleries with works of art capturing the beauty of the sea and surrounding countryside. The Abbey also holds frequent guest exhibitions inside, as well as sculpture exhibitions on the garden lawns.

Torquay Museum is a treasure trove of curios from Torquay and around the world. You’ll unearth the fascinating permanent collection ranging from fossilised reptile footprints to an ornate paddle from Papua New Guinea. And the museum also has a busy programme of temporary exhibitions, allowing you to discover something new on every visit.

Brixham Heritage Museum looks back at the lives of residents over the years. Here you’ll find varied exhibitions tracing the history of this bustling Devon town. Find out about the role played by Berry Head in the Napoleonic War. And learn all about the fishing trade and why it has always been so important to Brixham.

The Agatha Christie Festival

One of Torbay’s most-famous former residents, Agatha Christie, has inspired an entire festival. During the festival, catch special performances of her works as well as other pieces inspired by her, at venues across Torbay including Torre Abbey and Palace Theatre with their production of Murder is Announced.

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Artizan Gallery

Address

7 Lucius Street, Torquay, TQ2 5UW

Telephone
01803 428626

info@artizangallery.co.uk

Type

Type:

Gallery

Torquay

Artizan is an independent, fine art gallery situated on the English Riviera's stunning coastline dedicated to celebrating the work of South Devon artists and championing the contemporary artistic talent as well as the established cultural heritage…

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Cockington Court Craft Centre

Address

Cockington Court, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 6XA

Telephone
01803 607 230

Type

Type:

Arts Centre

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2022to31 Dec 2022

At the heart of Cockington Village lies Cockington Court, a manor house with roots in medieval times, surrounded by acres of pretty country park. Today, the court is a hub for arts and crafts.

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Heritage Open Days

Address

Various Locations across, the English Riviera, TQ2 5JG

Telephone
020 7553 9290

info@heritageopendays.org.uk

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Dates

From:

9 Sept 2022to18 Sept 2022

Heritage Open Days celebrates England’s fantastic architecture and culture by offering free access to places that are usually closed to the public or normally charge for admission

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Brixham Heritage Museum

Address

Brixham Heritage Museum, The Old Police Station, New Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 8LZ

Telephone
01803 856267

mail@brixhamheritage.org.uk

Type

Type:

Museum

New Road, Brixham

Dates

From:

22 Feb 2022to31 Oct 2022Various Opening Times

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site. Housed in the old Brixham police station, Brixham Heritage Museum provides an intriguing place to visit for all the family with a rich collection of exhibits.

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Riviera International Conference Centre

Address

Riviera International Conference Centre, Chestnut Avenue, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5LZ

Telephone
+44 01803 206306

sales@ricc.co.uk

Type

Type:

Conference Facility

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2021to23 Dec 2022

Torquay’s purpose built conference and exhibition centre, the Riviera International Conference Centre, offers three multi-functional conference, exhibition and banqueting halls plus seven syndicate rooms accommodating from 5 – 1500 delegates.

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Coleton Fishacre

Address

Brownstone Road, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Devon, TQ6 0EQ

Telephone
01803 842382

coletonfishacre@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

Kingswear, Dartmouth

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2022to31 Dec 2022

Travel back in time to the Jazz Age at the country home of the D'Oyly Carte family. You can lose yourself in the magical 12-hectare (30-acre) garden: viewpoints give enticing glimpses out to sea, paths weave through glades past tranquil ponds.

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Torquay Museum

Address

529 Babbacombe Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1HG

Telephone
+44 01803 293975

enquiries@torquaymuseum.org

Price
Price Free to £9.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Museum

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2022to31 Dec 2022Various 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.

Price
Price Free to £9.00 Per Ticket

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Riviera Classic Car Show

Address

Paignton Sea Front, Esplanade Road, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6BQ

Telephone
01803 853711

chris.headon@hotmail.com

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Paignton

Dates

The RIVIERA CLASSIC CAR SHOW, July 24th July, 2022.
Organised by Torbay Old Wheels Club since 1994 as part of the Paignton Festival and Torbay Carnival. Raises funds for local charities. One of the most popular and best supported shows in the…

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National Trust - Greenway

Address

Greenway Road, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0ES

Telephone
01803 842382

greenway@nationaltrust.org.uk

Type

Type:

Historic House/Palace

Brixham

Dates

From:

19 Feb 2022to31 Dec 2022

This is an extraordinary glimpse into the private holiday home of the famous and much-loved author Agatha Christie and her family.

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Torre Abbey

Address

The Kings Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

Telephone
+44 01803 293593

torreabbeyenquiries@torbay.gov.uk

Price
Price £3.70 to £21.00 Per Ticket

Type

Type:

Abbey/Priory

Torquay

Dates

From:

23 Jan 2022to18 Dec 2022Various Opening Times

An English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark Key Site.
Come and enjoy a visit exploring Torbay's most historic building, garden and impressive displays, world-class collections and exhibitions, complemented by modern amenities and special accessibility…

Price
Price £3.70 to £21.00 Per Ticket

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Babbacombe Theatre

Address

Babbacombe Downs, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3LU

Telephone
01803 328385

info@babbacombe-theatre.co.uk

Type

Type:

Theatre

Torquay

Dates

From:

1 Jan 2022to31 Dec 2022

From:

24 Jan 2022to1 Jan 2023

An asset to the English Riviera for over eighty years Babbacombe Theatre is renowned for wowing audiences with their highly acclaimed family variety shows, most especially since 1986 when Matpro Limited took over the venue.
From its earliest days,…

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Palace Theatre Paignton

Address

Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3HF

Telephone
01803 665800

info@palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk

Type

Type:

Theatre

Paignton

Dates

From:

2 Jan 2022to31 Dec 2022

Take your seats and let the show begin as the curtain rises at one of Devon’s favourite community theatres.
With performances and events running 50 weeks of the year you will be sure to find something to suit your tastes, from popular dramas to…

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